In-Home Dementia and Alzheimer's Care in Wood River, IL
Help at home for someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia: steady routines, safety and patience with changes in memory and mood. Post what you need in Wood River for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Dementia Care in Wood River, IL: the local picture
Wood River has about 127 residents aged 85 or older among 1,691 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.
46% of residents 65 and older report a disability (35% in Madison County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.
40% of older Wood River 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.
Wood River compared with Madison County and Illinois
| Census figure | Wood River | Madison County | Illinois |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 1.2% | 2.1% | 2.0% |
| Residents 65 or older | 16% | 19% | 17% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 46% | 35% | 32% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 40% | 32% | 30% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 7.8% | 9.0% | 10% |
| Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home | 3.3% | 3.6% | 24% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $50,417 | $57,096 | — |
Older residents in towns around Wood River
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosewood Heights, IL | 1.7 mi | 1,068 | 149 |
| East Alton, IL | 2.2 mi | 890 | 57 |
| Bethalto, IL | 3.2 mi | 2,119 | 238 |
| Alton, IL | 4.9 mi | 4,354 | 569 |
| Edwardsville, IL | 6.9 mi | 3,310 | 361 |
| Holiday Shores, IL | 8.7 mi | 498 | 0 |
Nursing homes near Wood River
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bria Of Woodriver | Wood River, IL | 0.7 mi | 1 of 5 | 106 | (618) 259-4111 |
| Nexus At Alton | Alton, IL | 3.2 mi | 1 of 5 | 181 | (618) 465-8887 |
| Alton Memorial Rehab & Therapy | Alton, IL | 5.1 mi | 3 of 5 | 64 | (618) 463-7330 |
| La Bella Of Alton | Alton, IL | 5.8 mi | 1 of 5 | 180 | (618) 465-2626 |
| Evercare At University | Edwardsville, IL | 7.3 mi | 1 of 5 | 118 | (618) 656-1081 |
| La Bella Of Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL | 7.7 mi | 1 of 5 | 120 | (618) 659-0605 |
Hospices serving Wood River
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osf Saint Anthony's Hospice | Alton, IL | 5.3 mi | (618) 463-5683 |
| Bjc Hospice | Glen Carbon, IL | 9.1 mi | (618) 463-7100 |
| Unity Hospice Of Greater St Louis | Collinsville, IL | 13 mi | (618) 346-1111 |
| Vitas Healthcare Corporation Midwest | Fairview Heights, IL | 19 mi | (618) 622-9073 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Wood River. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What dementia care costs in Wood River
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 38% of the $4,201 monthly median income of Wood River 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.
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.
Dementia Care in Wood River: common questions
What nursing homes are near Wood River?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Bria Of Woodriver in Wood River (0.7 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Nexus At Alton in Alton (3.2 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Alton Memorial Rehab & Therapy in Alton (5.1 mi, 3 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does dementia care cost in Wood River?
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 38% of the $4,201 monthly median income of Wood River 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 senior care near Wood River
Dementia Care in nearby cities
- Dementia Care in Rosewood Heights, IL
- Dementia Care in East Alton, IL
- Dementia Care in Bethalto, IL
- Dementia Care in Alton, IL
- Dementia Care in Edwardsville, IL
- Dementia Care in Holiday Shores, IL
- Dementia Care in Spanish Lake, MO
- Dementia Care in Glen Carbon, IL
- Dementia Care in Granite City, IL
- Dementia Care in Glasgow Village, MO
- Dementia Care in Pontoon Beach, IL
- Dementia Care in Godfrey, IL
- Dementia Care in Riverview, MO
- Dementia Care in Black Jack, MO
- Dementia Care in Maryville, IL
- Dementia Care in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO
Other care in Wood River
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.
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