Dementia Care in Waukon, IA: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Waukon, IA: the local picture

188

residents 85 or older (5.0% of all residents)

1,054

residents 65 or older (28% of Waukon)

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Allamakee County)

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Waukon has about 188 residents aged 85 or older among 1,054 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.

35% of residents 65 and older report a disability (32% in Allamakee County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

42% of older Waukon 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.

Waukon compared with Allamakee County and Iowa

Census figure	Waukon	Allamakee County	Iowa
Residents 85 or older	5.0%	2.9%	2.3%
Residents 65 or older	28%	23%	18%
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	42%	29%	31%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.3%	6.4%	8.4%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	5.2%	13%	9.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$33,107	$50,399	—

Older residents in towns around Waukon

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Postville, IA	13 mi	310	57
Decorah, IA	16 mi	1,807	266
Prairie du Chien, WI	23 mi	1,374	226
Caledonia, MN	25 mi	618	61
Cresco, IA	33 mi	828	99
Viroqua, WI	36 mi	1,191	142

Nursing homes near Waukon

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Good Samaritan - Waukon	Waukon, IA	0.2 mi	2 of 5	60	(563) 568-3447
Northgate Care Center	Waukon, IA	0.8 mi	1 of 5	50	(563) 568-3493
Wellington Place	Decorah, IA	14 mi	4 of 5	56	(563) 382-9691
Thornton Manor Nursing And Care Center	Lansing, IA	14 mi	5 of 5	40	(563) 538-4236
The Highlands	Decorah, IA	16 mi	2 of 5	86	(563) 382-3603
Ossian Care Center	Ossian, IA	17 mi	2 of 5	46	(563) 532-9440

Hospices serving Waukon

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Winnmed Hospice	Decorah, IA	16 mi	(563) 387-3024
Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hosp And Clinics-Hospice	West Union, IA	29 mi	(563) 422-6267
St Croix Hospice	Strawberry Point, IA	41 mi	(563) 933-2070
Care Initiatives Hospice - Cedar Falls	Cedar Falls, IA	71 mi	(319) 232-6148

Straight-line miles from the center of Waukon. 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 Waukon

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 54% of the $2,759 monthly median income of Waukon households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Waukon: common questions

What nursing homes are near Waukon?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Good Samaritan - Waukon in Waukon (0.2 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Northgate Care Center in Waukon (0.8 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Wellington Place in Decorah (14 mi, 4 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Waukon?

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 54% of the $2,759 monthly median income of Waukon households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Waukon

More senior care near Waukon

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Waukon

More for Waukon 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 Waukon, IA