The Rise of Dementia and Alzheimer’s: How Home Health & Hospice Care Are Evolving to Meet the Challenge

As the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia continues to rise, families are facing difficult decisions about how best to care for their loved ones. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older are currently living with Alzheimer’s—and that number is expected to nearly double by 2050.

At Armonia Home Health & Hospice, we are seeing this shift firsthand. More families are turning to home-based care as a way to provide safety, comfort, and dignity for their loved ones with memory loss, and we are continuously adapting to meet the growing demand for specialized dementia support.

Why Dementia Care Requires a Unique Approach
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia isn’t just about managing physical symptoms—it’s also about understanding behavioral changes, memory loss, emotional needs, and safety concerns. Dementia can impact every part of a person’s life, and it can place an enormous emotional and physical burden on family caregivers.

That’s why home health and hospice providers must take a holistic approach, combining medical care with emotional support and tailored interventions. From understanding the progression of the disease to learning how to navigate difficult behaviors or communication challenges, families need a care team that is both knowledgeable and compassionate.

How Home Health Services Can Help in the Early and Middle Stages
For patients in the early to middle stages of dementia, home health care can be an essential resource. Services such as skilled nursing, occupational therapy, and home safety evaluations can support daily living while maintaining a person’s independence for as long as possible.

Care plans might include:

Medication management and monitoring
Cognitive support and stimulation
Fall prevention strategies
Family education and training

At Armonia, we work closely with families to create a personalized care plan that addresses not only the patient’s physical needs but also their emotional and cognitive well-being.

When Hospice Care Becomes the Right Choice
As dementia progresses to its later stages, many families find themselves facing difficult questions about end-of-life care. When a person with dementia reaches a point where they are no longer able to communicate, eat independently, or recognize loved ones, hospice care can provide essential comfort and support.

Our hospice team focuses on:

Managing pain and symptoms with dignity
Supporting the patient emotionally, even when communication is limited
Offering respite and guidance to exhausted caregivers
Providing spiritual and grief support to families

It’s important to know that hospice is not about “giving up.” It’s about creating a peaceful and supportive environment during the final chapter of life—one where every moment matters.

Supporting the Caregiver Journey
Caring for someone with dementia is a full-time job, and caregivers often feel isolated, overwhelmed, and unsure of what’s next. At Armonia, we believe that supporting the caregiver is just as important as caring for the patient.

We offer:

Respite care to give caregivers a break
Resources for caregiver education
Emotional and spiritual support services
Ongoing communication and updates to help families stay informed

No one should have to go through this alone—and with the right care team, you don’t have to.

Looking Ahead: The Need for More Specialized Dementia Training
As the demand for dementia care grows, home health and hospice providers must invest in more training and specialized staff. At Armonia, we are committed to continuous learning and improvement so that our patients and families receive the most informed, compassionate care possible.

We believe the future of home-based dementia care lies in a person-centered, dignity-driven model—one that sees each individual for who they are, not just the disease they’re facing.

If your loved one is living with dementia and you’re not sure what comes next, we’re here to help. Contact Armonia Home Health & Hospice today to speak with a compassionate member of our care team.