The Real Cost of Dementia Care at Home Over the Holidays — And How Families Can Reduce Burnout

Jenna Fralick, BScN RN

Introduction: When December Hits Harder for Dementia Caregivers

Every December, I watch the same pattern unfold. Family members walk into our foot care clinic or call the RWHC office whispering:

“I’m exhausted.”“I love my mom, but I can’t keep up.”“This is supposed to be a happy time… but dementia makes everything heavier.”

If this is you, you’re not alone. The holidays multiply every task: appointments, decorations, cooking, visiting, shopping, scheduling… and then there’s the emotional weight of watching someone you love slip further into dementia or Alzheimer’s.

And on top of it all? Families feel confused and overwhelmed about the cost of dementia care at home, how to plan for it, who pays for what, and how much support they actually deserve.

This blog breaks all of that down—clearly, gently, and honestly—so you can move into the holidays with less guilt, less fear, and more clarity.

Why the Cost of Dementia Care at Home Feels So Overwhelming

Let me tell you the truth I share with families every single week:

You are not overwhelmed because you’re doing it wrong.

You’re overwhelmed because the system expects too much of you.

Most caregiving in Canada is done by women. Most of it is unpaid.Most of it falls on one person in the family. And most dementia caregivers are juggling this while also navigating:

• Their own chronic health conditions

• Spousal caregiving

• Adult children with disabilities

• Part-time work

• Financial stress

• Holiday pressure

• Grief

So when people ask, “Why is dementia care so expensive?”, the real question underneath is:

“Why am I carrying so much of this alone?”

That’s the part we’re going to fix.

Understanding the Cost of Dementia Care at Home During the Holidays

The cost of dementia care at home varies depending on the level of support your loved one needs.But here’s something most families don’t know:

The real cost isn’t money.

It’s your health, your marriage, your sleep, and your emotional well-being. (Yes, the financial piece matters too—don’t worry, we’ll break that down.)

The Canadian Institute for Health Information notes that caregivers providing support to dementia patients experience the highest rates of distress of any caregiving group (CIHI, 2022). That distress increases under holiday pressure.

Dementia care at home typically includes:

• Personal care

• Help with bathing/dressing

• Medication reminders

• Meal prep

• Elderly companionship

• Wandering prevention

• Safety supervision

• Support with memory loss

• Overnight support

• Assistance with activities of daily living

Many families underestimate the number of hours their loved one actually needs because they’re used to filling in all the gaps themselves.

What People Get Wrong About “How Much Dementia Care Should Cost”

Families often compare dementia home care to assisted living or long-term care. But dementia support is more intensive.

Here’s the breakdown most agencies never tell you:

1. Dementia requires continuous supervision

This increases the cost because staff need higher training and greater consistency.

2. Alzheimer’s symptoms worsen under holiday change

More wandering, more agitation, more confusion.

3. Care needs increase at night

Sundowning spikes between 3 PM and 11 PM. Night support is often necessary but overlooked or underfunded.

4. Family caregivers underestimate burnout

By the time they ask for help, they need more support—not less.

Understanding these realities helps families plan without shame or shock.

The Financial Breakdown: What Dementia Home Care Can Cost in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island

Families often ask:

“What should I expect to pay?”

Here’s the truth—transparent and simple.

Hourly dementia care rates

Most private home care providers charge based on:

• Level of cognitive support

• Risk level

• Overnight care

• Personal care needs

• Behavioural care requirements

Families are surprised to learn how common it is to need:

• 3–6 hour blocks

• Overnight or 24/7 care during December

And remember: You only pay for what you choose. There are no minimum weekly requirements with RWHC.

Holiday reality: care costs more emotionally than financially

The true price families pay when they avoid support is:

• Sleep loss

• Burnout

• Depression

• Marital strain

• Accidents

• Falls

• Hospital admissions

And research shows dementia caregivers have higher rates of mental health decline during holidays due to stress and routine disruption (Gilsenan et al., 2020).

So the question becomes:

Is private home care worth the cost?

YES — if it protects your health and keeps your loved one safe.

Who Pays for Dementia Home Care?

This part confuses most families.

Here’s the simple version:

1. You pay privately for the hours you select.

2. Some families are eligible for financial support:

• Provincial Funding

• Veterans Affairs Canada

• Private insurance

• Disability supports

3. Some families use respite care only when needed.

4. Some combine public + private home care.

There is no “right” way.Only the way that keeps you healthy and your loved one safe.

Is Funding Available for Private Respite Care?

Yes. Families in Nova Scotia and PEI may qualify for:

• Provincial funding through NS Continuing Care Direct Funding / PEI Home Care Funding

• Veterans Affairs Canada

• Private health insurance

• Long-term care insurance

• Disability supports

• Federal caregiver benefits (depending on situation)

Most families don’t realize they qualify for something. We help you figure that out.

What’s the Difference Between Public and Private Respite Services?

Here’s the simple truth:

Public Care:

• Waitlists

• Eligibility requirements

• Limited hours (daytime only)

• Less flexibility

• Scheduling restrictions

Private Care:

• No waitlists

• No assessments

• Choose your hours

• Personalized dementia care

• Consistent caregivers

• Immediate support

Public care provides what the system can offer. Private care provides what your family actually needs.

The Hidden Cost of Doing It All Yourself

Canadian studies show that dementia caregivers who don’t have help are more likely to experience (Stall et al., 2019; CIHI, 2022):

• Depression

• Falls

• Hospitalization

• Burnout

• Social isolation

• Physical decline

You cannot pour from an empty cup—especially during the holidays.

Your Warm Holiday Call to Action

If you’re feeling stretched thin this December, support is available.

Learn more about care solutions here:👉 Respite Care for Families

And here’s another article you may find helpful all about grants and funding:👉 Supporting Nova Scotians: Grants for Seniors, Primary Caregivers and Low-Income Households

You don’t need to wait for burnout to begin feeling better. Start today. We’re here to help—compassionately and without judgment.

References

Canadian Institute for Health Information. (2022). Supporting informal caregivers: Key facts and figures. CIHI.

Gilsenan, J., et al. (2020). Holiday disruptions and caregiver stress among dementia families in Canada: A qualitative study. Canadian Journal on Aging, 39(4), 542–556.

Stall, N. M., Kim, S. J., Hardacre, K., Shah, P., & Rochon, P. A. (2019). Association of caregiver distress with outcomes in dementia home care. JAMA Internal Medicine, 179(2), 233–244.