Dementia Care in Smithton, IL: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Smithton, IL: the local picture

62

residents 85 or older (1.7% of all residents)

984

residents 65 or older (27% of Smithton)

18%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in St. Clair County)

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Smithton has about 62 residents aged 85 or older among 984 aged 65 or older. The risk of Alzheimer’s rises steeply with age, and the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that about a third of people 85 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia.

18% of residents 65 and older report a disability (33% in St. Clair County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

21% of older Smithton residents in households live alone. For someone with memory loss who lives alone, a few hours of daily check-ins are often the first step.

Smithton compared with St. Clair County and Illinois

Census figure	Smithton	St. Clair County	Illinois
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	2.1%	2.0%
Residents 65 or older	27%	17%	17%
Residents 65+ with a disability	18%	33%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	21%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.0%	10%	10%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	4.3%	5.0%	24%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$57,212	$54,949	—

Older residents in towns around Smithton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Freeburg, IL	4.3 mi	934	63
Millstadt, IL	6.0 mi	1,072	79
Belleville, IL	7.0 mi	6,768	1,090
Swansea, IL	9.5 mi	2,699	330
Waterloo, IL	10 mi	2,293	274
Shiloh, IL	10 mi	2,294	357

Nursing homes near Smithton

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
La Bella Of Freeburg	Freeburg, IL	5.4 mi	1 of 5	118	(618) 539-5856
Helia Southbelt Healthcare	Belleville, IL	6.1 mi	1 of 5	156	(618) 277-7700
St Paul's Senior Community	Belleville, IL	7.3 mi	1 of 5	108	(618) 233-2095
Nexus Pavilion At Belleville	Belleville, IL	7.6 mi	1 of 5	180	(618) 234-3323
Bria Of Belleville	Belleville, IL	7.8 mi	1 of 5	140	(618) 235-6600
Evercare Of Swansea	Swansea, IL	7.8 mi	1 of 5	94	(618) 233-6625

Hospices serving Smithton

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Southern Illinois, Inc	Belleville, IL	6.8 mi	(618) 235-1703
Family Hospice Of Belleville Area	Belleville, IL	8.4 mi	(618) 277-1800
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Midwest	Fairview Heights, IL	13 mi	(618) 622-9073
Heartland Hospice (Fairview Heights)	Fairview Heights, IL	13 mi	(618) 632-0304

Straight-line miles from the center of Smithton. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a dementia caregiver can help with

Keeping a predictable daily routine
Gentle help with bathing, dressing and toileting
Meals, hydration and medication reminders
Calming approaches for sundowning, agitation and repeated questions

Cost

What dementia care costs in Smithton

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $4,768 monthly median income of Smithton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a dementia caregiver

An estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2025 Facts and Figures. Most live at home, cared for by family. The Association’s 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) is free.

Questions worth asking: Tell me about someone with dementia you cared for. What worked? What do you do when a client becomes agitated in the late afternoon? How do you keep someone safe who tries to leave the house? More in our dementia care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Dementia Care in Smithton: common questions

What nursing homes are near Smithton?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are La Bella Of Freeburg in Freeburg (5.4 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Helia Southbelt Healthcare in Belleville (6.1 mi, 1 of 5 overall); St Paul's Senior Community in Belleville (7.3 mi, 1 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Smithton?

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $4,768 monthly median income of Smithton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

When does someone with dementia need care at home?

Common signs are missed meals or medication, getting lost in familiar places, unsafe cooking or driving, and a family caregiver who is exhausted. Many families start with a few hours a day and add hours, nights or live-in help as the disease progresses.

More near Smithton

More senior care near Smithton

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Smithton

More for Smithton families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

In-Home Dementia and Alzheimer's Care in Smithton, IL