Nebraska Alzheimer's Disease Plan prepares for 20 percent increase in next decade

About 33,000 older Nebraskans currently have Alzheimer’s disease. That number is expected to jump by more than 20 percent in the next ten years as the population ages and the oldest boomers turn 80.

“Now is the time to prepare for the growing number of Nebraskans with Alzheimer’s disease expected to occur over the next decade,” said Mark Intermill, advocacy director for AARP in Nebraska. “Unpaid family caregivers will be providing the majority of the care for their affected loved ones.”

A provision in a new state law passed this year requires Nebraska to develop a comprehensive plan for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. State Sen. Al Davis of Hyannis introduced legislation calling for the plan.

Legislative Bill 320 states that the plan will:

• Assess the current and future impact of Alzheimer's and related disorders on residents of the state;

• Determine the existing services and resources in the state that address the needs of individuals with Alzheimer's and related disorders and their families and caregivers; and

• Develop recommendations to respond to the escalating needs for services and resources.

Are you now or have you been a caregiver for a relative or friend with Alzheimer's disease? Share your story with us today, your Portrait of Care.

The statewide Aging Nebraskans Task Force is charged with creating the plan and will review the following:

(a) Trends and needs in the state relating to populations with Alzheimer's or related disorders, including

(i) the state's role in the provision of long-term care,

(ii) family caregiver support,

(iii) the provision of early-stage diagnoses, assistance, support, and medical services,

(iv) younger onset of Alzheimer's or related disorders,

(v) ethnic populations at higher risk, and

(vi) risk reduction;

(b) Existing services, resources, and capacity available to individuals with Alzheimer's or related disorders, including:

(i) The type, cost, availability, and adequacy of services, including, (A) home and community-based resources, (B) respite care, (C) residential long-term care, and (D) geriatric-psychiatric units for individuals with associated behavioral disorders;

(ii) Dementia-specific training requirements for individuals who are employed to provide care to individuals with Alzheimer's or related disorders;

(iii) Quality of care measures for services delivered across the continuum of care;

(iv) The capacity of public safety and law enforcement to respond to individuals with Alzheimer's or related disorders; and

(v) State support to institutions of higher learning for research on Alzheimer's or related disorders;

(c) The need for state policy or action in order to provide clear, coordinated services and support to individuals with Alzheimer's or related disorders and their families and caregivers; and

(d) Strategies to identify gaps in services.

Add Your Voice

Do you have questions or recommendations about what should be in the Alzheimer's plan to address the needs of Nebraskans with cognitive impairments? If so, c ontact Mark Intermill at mintermill@aarp.org or call (402) 323-5424.

The plan is to be presented to Gov. Ricketts and the Legislature by December 15, 2016.