Dementia Care

Calm, consistent support for people living with dementia, with routines that reduce stress.

A caregiver knitting and chatting with two older women
Who it helps
People living with dementia and the families who support them at home.
Type of care
Non-medical, in your home, by the hour, overnight or live-in
Often combined with
Alzheimer's Care, Respite Care, Overnight Care

What dementia care includes

Every caregiver sets out exactly which tasks they offer on their profile. These are the most common ones; agree on the details in your care request.

  • Safe supervision

    Reducing the risks of wandering, falls and kitchen accidents.

  • Steady routines

    Doing things in the same order, at the same times.

  • Meaningful activity

    Music, photos, folding laundry, simple crafts.

  • Calm communication

    Short sentences, one choice at a time, no arguing about facts.

  • Food and fluids

    Prompting meals and drinks, which are easily forgotten.

  • Gentle personal care

    Step-by-step help with washing and dressing.

  • Evening support

    Extra calm and light when restlessness grows late in the day.

  • Notes for the family

    Mood, sleep and changes worth telling the doctor about.

Is dementia care right for your family?

Non-medical help covers daily life at home. Some needs call for a licensed professional instead, and many families use both.

A good fit when

  • Memory loss is affecting safety at home
  • Routines help your loved one stay calm
  • The main family caregiver is exhausted
  • You want the same familiar faces each week

Ask a licensed professional for

  • Diagnosing or assessing memory loss
  • Adjusting or administering medication
  • Managing severe behavioral crises without medical support

Your loved one's doctor can refer you to a licensed home health agency. Many families combine both kinds of help.

Example schedules

Most families start with a few hours and adjust. Enter an hourly rate to estimate a monthly budget; real rates are set by each caregiver on their profile.

Example rate. Change it to see your estimate.

Afternoon support

15 hours / week

Three hours on weekdays, often when restlessness peaks.

About $1,949 per month

Weekday days

40 hours / week

Eight hours on weekdays with a consistent caregiver.

About $5,196 per month

Nights included

70 hours / week

Day support plus several awake nights a week.

About $9,093 per month

Estimate = hourly rate × hours per week × 4.33 weeks. It excludes any payment processing fee, mileage or overtime. See our guide to care costs.

A closer look at dementia care

Supporting someone living with dementia

Dementia changes how a person remembers, reasons and communicates, and it affects each person differently. In-home dementia care aims to keep daily life calm, safe and meaningful, often by keeping routines consistent and the environment familiar.

What a dementia caregiver can help with

  • Supervision to reduce the risk of wandering, falls or kitchen accidents
  • Gentle prompts through daily routines: washing, dressing, meals
  • Meaningful activities matched to the person's abilities and history
  • Calm responses to confusion, repeated questions or agitation
  • Encouraging food and fluids, which are often forgotten
  • Notes for the family about mood, sleep and changes

What experience to look for

Ask caregivers how they have supported people with memory loss before, and how they respond when someone becomes upset or does not recognize them. Look for patience, flexibility and a gentle sense of humor. Caregivers can indicate "Memory care (dementia)" in their profile preferences, and many describe their experience in their own words.

Consistency helps

For people with dementia, seeing the same face at the same times each week can reduce anxiety. If possible, book one or two regular caregivers rather than many different ones.

Where to learn more

The Alzheimer's Association runs a free 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900. The National Institute on Aging also publishes practical caregiving guides. See also our page on Alzheimer's care.

Caregivers on CaregiverCrew do not diagnose dementia or adjust medication. Talk to a doctor about any new or worsening symptoms.

Questions about dementia care

Short answers to what families ask most. More in our FAQ.

What experience should a dementia caregiver have?

Ask how they have supported people with memory loss and how they respond to confusion or upset. Look for patience, flexibility and consistency.

Why does the same caregiver matter so much?

Familiar faces at familiar times can reduce anxiety for people living with dementia. Try to book one or two regular caregivers.

Where can families get support?

The Alzheimer's Association runs a free 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900, and the National Institute on Aging publishes practical caregiving guides.

Find dementia care near you

Compare reviewed caregivers, see their rates and availability, and send a free care request. No obligation.

Caregivers on CaregiverCrew provide non-medical support only. They do not diagnose, treat, administer injections or perform skilled nursing tasks. Rules about what non-licensed caregivers may do differ by state; when in doubt, ask your loved one's doctor.