Dementia Care in Waller, WA: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Waller, WA: the local picture

152

residents 85 or older (2.0% of all residents)

1,331

residents 65 or older (17% of Waller)

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Pierce County)

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Waller has about 152 residents aged 85 or older among 1,331 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.

36% of residents 65 and older report a disability (36% in Pierce County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

27% of older Waller 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.

Waller compared with Pierce County and Washington

Census figure	Waller	Pierce County	Washington
Residents 85 or older	2.0%	1.5%	1.8%
Residents 65 or older	17%	15%	17%
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	36%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	27%	25%	26%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.4%	8.8%	8.9%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	14%	16%	21%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$65,966	$70,061	—

Older residents in towns around Waller

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Fife, WA	2.1 mi	790	91
Summit, WA	2.4 mi	1,763	188
Midland, WA	3.0 mi	1,223	107
Puyallup, WA	4.0 mi	6,913	903
Milton, WA	4.1 mi	1,157	254
Clover Creek, WA	4.3 mi	996	67

Nursing homes near Waller

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Heartwood Extended Healthcare	Tacoma, WA	2.2 mi	1 of 5	120	(253) 472-9027
Avalon Healthcare - Tacoma	Tacoma, WA	3.1 mi	2 of 5	81	(253) 474-8456
Avamere At Pacific Ridge	Tacoma, WA	3.3 mi	2 of 5	102	(253) 475-2507
Life Care Center Of Puyallup	Puyallup, WA	3.9 mi	2 of 5	102	(253) 845-7566
Tacoma Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Tacoma, WA	4.1 mi	5 of 5	150	(253) 581-2514
Alaska Gardens Health And Rehabilitation	Tacoma, WA	4.3 mi	1 of 5	123	(253) 476-5300

Hospices serving Waller

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Multicare Hospice	Tacoma, WA	4.9 mi	(253) 301-6400
Puget Sound Hospice	Tacoma, WA	5.4 mi	(253) 581-9410
Envision Hospice	Tacoma, WA	5.5 mi	(360) 350-4875
Franciscan Hospice	University Place, WA	8.2 mi	(253) 534-7000

Straight-line miles from the center of Waller. 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 Waller

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $5,497 monthly median income of Waller households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Waller: common questions

What nursing homes are near Waller?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Heartwood Extended Healthcare in Tacoma (2.2 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Avalon Healthcare - Tacoma in Tacoma (3.1 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Avamere At Pacific Ridge in Tacoma (3.3 mi, 2 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Waller?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $5,497 monthly median income of Waller households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Waller

More senior care near Waller

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Waller

More for Waller 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 Waller, WA