Kentucky

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing public health crisis in Kentucky. The impact of Alzheimer’s is projected to rise, and the most recent data show:

• 75,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in Kentucky.
• 11.2% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline.
• 157,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in Kentucky.
• 302 million hours of unpaid care provided by Alzheimer’s caregivers.
• $4.8 billion is the value of the unpaid care.
• $803 million is the cost of Alzheimer’s to the state Medicaid program.

These numbers show that a public health approach is necessary to lessen the burden and enhance the quality of life for those living with cognitive impairment and their families.

Learn more about Kentucky: Alzheimer’s Statistics, Cognitive Decline, Dementia Caregiving 

State plan overview

The Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Council was established through legislation that was enacted during the 2000 legislative session. In 2007, the Commonwealth of Kentucky enacted Senate Joint Resolution 6, which directed the Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Council to create a comprehensive strategy to respond to the growing Alzheimer’s crisis within the state. Appointed by the governor, the Council includes representatives from state agencies, local health departments, academia and the medical research community as well as consumers and caregivers. The Council formed a wider workgroup to research and draft the State Plan. In January 2008, the Council published Setting a Roadmap to Address Alzheimer’s in the Commonwealth: A Report of the Current and Anticipated Future Impact of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias on Kentuckians with Recommendations for Action. In 2017, the Council updated the plan.  

Resources for action

State and local public health agencies around the country are taking action against Alzheimer’s by implementing the Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Road Map for Public Health, 2023–2027. Public health practitioners can learn by example and find resources to help guide their response below.