The Alzheimer's Association of the Great Plains dedicates donations to providing information, support, research and advocacy to the more than 40,000 chapter residents affected by Alzheimer's in the 80 counties of Nebraska and state of Wyoming.  Part of our work involves securing the funds needed to provide help and hope to those living with the many diverse challenges presented by Alzheimer's disease. 

Because of donations from supporters like you we have made tremendous advances in the past two decades, but the scope of what we are up against has increased also:

• An estimated 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease, including some 200,000 to 500,000 adults under age 65 with early-onset Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, some 40,000 Great Plains residents.
• 1 in 8 people age 65 and older has Alzheimer's, and nearly 1 in 2 over age 85 has it.
• 7 in 10 people with Alzheimer's and other dementias live at home, cared for by family and friends with little outside help.  In addition, 7 in 10 nursing home residents have some degree of cognitive impairment.
• Alzheimer's disease is now the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.
• 1 in 3 Americans knows someone with Alzheimer's.
• 1 in 10 is an Alzheimer caregiver.
• 1 in 10 has a family member with Alzheimer's.

To help families affected by Alzheimer's disease and other dementias within the chapter we offer:

• 24-hour Helpline 800.272.3900
• Support groups that have a confidential forum for people to share concerns and receive support--both caregiver and early stage support groups.
• Educational programs and workshops for those affected by Alzheimer's, their family, friends, caregivers and the community in general. 
• Professional educational programs and conferences for professional caregivers, police and fire departments. 
• Safe Return program® to help find people with memory problems who wander and become lost. 
• Information and Referral Service that provides families and health care professionals with dementia specific information and community resources.
• Outreach Coordination--consultation on coordination of services that can be used by professional and family caregiver.
• Advocacy for quality dementia care and services and funding for public programs serving people with dementia.
• Funding to accelerate the pace of promising research.
• Respite assistance

Thank you for your continuing support and for helping us serve the thousands of families in the Great Plains chapter affected by Alzheimer's disease.  Your continued generosity helps us move closer to our vision of a world without Alzheimer's disease.