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

  • 35,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in Nebraska.
  • 9.6% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline.
  • 40,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in Nebraska.
  • 61 million hours of unpaid care provided by Alzheimer’s caregivers.
  • $1.1 billion is the value of the unpaid care.
  • $372 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 Nebraska: Alzheimer’s Statistics (PDF), Cognitive Decline (PDF), Dementia Caregiving (PDF), Risk Factors (PDF), County-Level Alzheimer's Prevalence (PDF)

Tribes in your state

Use the HBI Road Map for Indian Country to start conversations with tribal leaders on public health actions that can be taken to support brain health and caregivers. Find tribal leaders and federally recognized tribes in your state: Tribal Leaders Directory.

Public health spotlight

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Learn more about areas essential to addressing Alzheimer's from a public health perspective.

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In Nebraska, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and College of Public Health trained Alzheimer’s navigators across the state.

As part of the LivingWell initiative, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services distributed information to 120 statewide program leaders about the warning signs of cognitive decline and how to access community resources.

State plan overview

In May 2015, Governor Pete Ricketts signed LB320 calling for the formation of State Plan on Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. The legislation charges the Aging Nebraskans Task Force with assessing existing resources in the state, developing recommendations to meet the growing needs of those affected by Alzheimer’s, and developing strategies to identify gaps in community services. The Task Force included representatives from state agencies, long-term care organizations, elder law and community organizations as well as economists, seniors, caregivers and aging advocates. The Nebraska State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias was published in June 2016.

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.
 
Nebraska Implementation
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Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services distributed early warning signs and resources for people with cognitive concerns to 120 LivingWell program leaders statewide

 
Nebraska Resources
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Risk Factors + Risk Reduction

Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Subjective Cognitive Decline in Nebraska

Caregivers + BRFSS

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infographic: Caregiving in Nebraska

BRFSS + Cognitive Decline

Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Subjective Cognitive Decline in Nebraska (2019)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infographic: Subjective Cognitive Decline in Nebraska (2019)
Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Cognitive Decline in Nebraska (2015)
Alzheimer's Association Infographic: Cognitive Decline in Nebraska (2015)
Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Cognitive Decline in Nebraska (2011)

BRFSS + Caregivers

Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Dementia Caregiving in Nebraska (2015)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infographic: Caregiving in Nebraska (2015)

Care and Advance Planning

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infographic: Subjective Cognitive Decline in Nebraska