Dementia Care in Waltham, MA: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Waltham, MA: the local picture

1,026

residents 85 or older (1.6% of all residents)

10,228

residents 65 or older (16% of Waltham)

30%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Middlesex County)

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Waltham has about 1,026 residents aged 85 or older among 10,228 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.

30% of residents 65 and older report a disability (28% in Middlesex County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

32% of older Waltham 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.

Waltham compared with Middlesex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Waltham	Middlesex County	Massachusetts
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	2.0%	2.2%
Residents 65 or older	16%	16%	18%
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	28%	29%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	9.2%	11%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	32%	29%	25%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$58,556	$78,342	—

Older residents in towns around Waltham

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Belmont, MA	3.2 mi	5,235	432
Watertown, MA	3.5 mi	6,506	762
Lexington, MA	3.9 mi	7,430	1,068
Newton, MA	4.3 mi	17,046	2,192
Arlington, MA	4.5 mi	8,030	1,022
Wellesley, MA	6.1 mi	4,691	774

Nursing homes near Waltham

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Maristhill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center	Waltham, MA	1.2 mi	3 of 5	123	(781) 755-2020
Brookhaven At Lexington	Lexington, MA	1.9 mi	5 of 5	49	(781) 863-9660
Belmont Manor Nursing Home, In	Belmont, MA	2.5 mi	2 of 5	156	(617) 489-1200
Pine Knoll Nursing Center	Lexington, MA	2.7 mi	not rated	81	(781) 862-8151
West Newton Healthcare	West Newton, MA	2.9 mi	1 of 5	123	(617) 969-2300
Lasell House	Newton, MA	3.4 mi	5 of 5	44	(781) 808-8813

Hospices serving Waltham

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
First Choice Healthcare Inc	Newton, MA	3.7 mi	(617) 738-1113
Good Shepherd Community Care	Newton, MA	4.8 mi	(617) 969-6130
Brighton Hospice Massachusetts, LLC	Newton, MA	5.4 mi	(801) 996-3217
West River Hospice	Needham, MA	6.5 mi	(781) 707-9524

Straight-line miles from the center of Waltham. 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 Waltham

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $4,880 monthly median income of Waltham households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts'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 Waltham: common questions

What nursing homes are near Waltham?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Maristhill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Waltham (1.2 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Brookhaven At Lexington in Lexington (1.9 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Belmont Manor Nursing Home, In in Belmont (2.5 mi, 2 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Waltham?

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $4,880 monthly median income of Waltham households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts'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 Waltham

More senior care near Waltham

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Waltham

More for Waltham 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 Waltham, MA