Understanding the True Cost of Alzheimer’s Home Care (and How to Plan for It)
- jenna624
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Jenna Fralick, BScN RN
“Can We Afford to Keep Mom at Home?”
Shannon sat at her kitchen table, surrounded by pamphlets, bills, and a lingering sense of panic. Her mother had just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Shannon knew she didn’t want to place her mom in a facility—but when she started googling “Alzheimer’s home care cost,” her heart sank.
For many families in Nova Scotia and across Canada, this scenario is all too familiar.
Navigating Alzheimer’s care isn’t just emotional—it’s financial. But here’s the truth: the real cost of home care includes more than just dollars. It includes the toll on your time, your health, your relationships—and yes, your peace of mind.
Let’s break it all down and help you plan for what comes next—without the overwhelm.
What Are You Really Paying For?
When you search Alzheimer’s home care cost, it’s easy to get sticker shock. But before you panic, it helps to understand what the costs actually include.
Typical home care services for Alzheimer’s patients may cover:
Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), like bathing, dressing, and toileting
Medication reminders and safety monitoring
Cognitive support, redirection, and behavioural management
Light housekeeping, meal prep, and companionship
24-hour supervision if needed
According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada (2023), the average monthly cost of in-home Alzheimer’s care in Canada ranges from $2,500 to $7,000, depending on location, needs, and hours of support required.
But not all care is equal. Some agencies charge less because their workers have minimal training. Others rotate staff frequently, which can increase confusion and behavioural challenges in people living with Alzheimer’s.
“The cheapest care is not always the most cost-effective—especially when safety and consistency are on the line.”— Canadian Institute for Health Information (2021)
What Impacts the Cost of Alzheimer’s Home Care?
Several factors influence how much families will spend on in-home Alzheimer’s care:
Level of care needed – Early-stage support costs less than full-time, late-stage care
Number of hours/week – Some families need 10 hours/week, others need 24/7
Training and experience of caregivers – Specialized dementia training adds value (and cost)
Consistency of staffing – Personalized care plans often involve higher investment
And let’s not forget: if families try to do it all themselves, the costs may shift from financial to emotional, physical, or even employment-related.
One study found that 28% of caregivers in Canada cut back on work hours or left their jobs entirely due to caregiving responsibilities (Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, 2024).
In other words, not paying for help can still come with a cost.
The Hidden Costs: What Families Often Overlook
It’s easy to focus on the hourly rate. But here are three overlooked areas that also deserve attention:
Burnout – Long-term caregiving without support can lead to depression, anxiety, and caregiver fatigue
Healthcare emergencies – A fall, wandering incident, or medication error can lead to costly ER visits
Family strain – Resentment builds when one family member is left to carry the weight alone
When considering in-home Alzheimer’s care costs, it’s helpful to calculate the value of your own time and well-being too.
Is Private Home Care Worth It?
Yes—especially when it’s personalized, reliable, and built around your family’s actual needs.
Private home care for Alzheimer’s patients offers flexibility that public systems often can’t:
You control the schedule
You choose the caregivers
You get continuity—not rotating strangers
You avoid long waitlists
You get peace of mind
While public services may offer 2–4 hours per week, that’s often not enough for families coping with Alzheimer’s around the clock.
Planning Ahead: What Families Can Do Right Now
Even if your loved one is in the early stages, planning ahead can save you stress—and money.
Here are some smart steps:
Start with a free, in-home assessment – Know what kind of support you need today vs. in the future
Budget realistically – Don’t underestimate the number of hours or types of care needed
Explore funding options – Veterans programs, disability supports, and tax credits can help- check out our Financial Wellness blogs HERE for more information on grants and funding.
Choose providers wisely – Ask about caregiver training, background checks, dementia care protocols, and emergency plans
Think in phases – Needs will change over time; your care plan should too
At RWHC, we offer customized dementia care plans and flexible packages to help families find balance without financial devastation.
👉 Learn more HERE
Our Promise: Support Without Pressure
At Remember When HealthCare, we don’t just sell services. We walk with families through the hardest transitions of their lives. Alzheimer’s care isn’t a one-size-fits-all service. It’s a relationship built on trust, knowledge, and continuity.
That’s why we offer:
Trained, compassionate staff
Flexible hourly, daily, or overnight options
Personalized dementia care programs
Support for both clients and family caregivers
There’s no shame in asking for help—and no guilt in planning ahead.
Conclusion: Care That Feels Like Love—Not Loss
You’re not alone in this. And you don’t have to go broke to keep your parent safe, comfortable, and cared for.
The true cost of Alzheimer’s home care is about more than money—it’s about preserving relationships, reducing stress, and keeping your loved one where they belong: home.
When you’re ready to talk, we’re here.
👉 Learn more HERE
References
Alzheimer Society of Canada. (2023). The rising costs of dementia in Canada. https://alzheimer.ca
Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence. (2024). Caring in Canada: The Canadian caregiver report. https://canadiancaregiving.org/media-release-caring-in-canada/
Canadian Institute for Health Information. (2021). Dementia in Canada: Summary and key findings. https://www.cihi.ca/en/dementia-in-canada
Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. (2020). Dementia: Supporting and caring for individuals and families (Best Practice Guideline). https://rnao.ca/bpg/guidelines/dementia