Dementia Care in Waconia, MN: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Waconia, MN: the local picture

381

residents 85 or older (2.8% of all residents)

2,005

residents 65 or older (15% of Waconia)

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Carver County)

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Waconia has about 381 residents aged 85 or older among 2,005 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.

34% of residents 65 and older report a disability (27% in Carver County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

28% of older Waconia 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.

Waconia compared with Carver County and Minnesota

Census figure	Waconia	Carver County	Minnesota
Residents 85 or older	2.8%	1.7%	2.1%
Residents 65 or older	15%	15%	17%
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	27%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	28%	23%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.3%	7.0%	8.8%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	3.9%	8.0%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,505	$69,192	—

Older residents in towns around Waconia

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Mayer, MN	6.1 mi	182	3
Victoria, MN	6.6 mi	1,636	62
Minnetrista, MN	7.7 mi	1,142	42
Norwood Young America, MN	7.9 mi	685	167
Watertown, MN	8.6 mi	541	68
Mound, MN	9.0 mi	1,850	125

Nursing homes near Waconia

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Good Samaritan Society - Waconia And Westview Acre	Waconia, MN	0.2 mi	2 of 5	75	(952) 442-5111
Auburn Home In Waconia	Waconia, MN	0.3 mi	2 of 5	37	(952) 442-2546
Lake Minnetonka Shores	Spring Park, MN	9.9 mi	5 of 5	60	(952) 471-4001
Auburn Manor	Chaska, MN	10 mi	3 of 5	60	(952) 448-9303
Haven Homes Of Maple Plain	Maple Plain, MN	12 mi	5 of 5	64	(763) 292-2300
The Estates At Excelsior LLC	Excelsior, MN	12 mi	1 of 5	45	(952) 474-5488

Hospices serving Waconia

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Ridgeview Hospice	Waconia, MN	0.9 mi	(952) 442-6030
St Croix Hospice	Hopkins, MN	19 mi	(952) 746-9649
Caretenders Hospice	Minneapolis, MN	20 mi	(952) 831-0193
Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital	Saint Louis Park, MN	21 mi	(952) 993-6087

Straight-line miles from the center of Waconia. 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 Waconia

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 44% of the $3,625 monthly median income of Waconia households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Waconia: common questions

What nursing homes are near Waconia?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Good Samaritan Society - Waconia And Westview Acre in Waconia (0.2 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Auburn Home In Waconia in Waconia (0.3 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Lake Minnetonka Shores in Spring Park (9.9 mi, 5 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Waconia?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 44% of the $3,625 monthly median income of Waconia households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Waconia

More senior care near Waconia

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Waconia

More for Waconia 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 Waconia, MN