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Memory Care in Nebraska

Alzheimer’s and dementia are a growing concern in Nebraska, a state that has a population of seniors 65 and older of 17.5%, which is a percentage point above the national average of 16.5%. One out of every three seniors who die in America has Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease. Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in Nebraska.

Currently, 35,000 Nebraskans suffer from Alzheimer’s. That’s expected to rise to 40,000 by 2025 according to the Alzheimer’s Association. In 2018, Medicaid costs for caring for people with Alzheimer’s was $347 million, a figure that’s also expected to rise 16.7% by 2025. 

This guide covers where to find financial and medical resources and discusses the costs of memory care in Nebraska.


SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Nebraska



The SeniorScore presents seniors with an idea of what it's like to live in any town, city or state in the country, and it's created using over 100 data points from government and private databases. This results in scores for four areas of interest to seniors: Health & Safety, Recreation & Leisure, Finances and General Quality of Life. Nebraska’s overall SeniorScore is 75, which is three points higher than the national average of 72.

Nebraska has a Health & Safety score of 66. This is a result of Nebraska having many Medicare-registered health care providers and hospitals within the state. There are also numerous senior living facilities. Nebraskans have a life expectancy of 79.8 years, which is more than a year longer than the national average of 78.6.

In Recreation & Leisure, Nebraska scores 65. Nebraska is a wonderful state for seniors who like wide-open spaces. Overall, 32% of Nebraskans are seniors above the age of 55, which is three points above the national average of 29%. Nebraska has 181 golf courses and 1,018 churches. Nebraska has many municipal parks as well as eight state parks.

Finances has the highest score with a 69. While property and income taxes are higher in Nebraska than national averages, the cost of assisted living is lower, as is the unemployment rate. The real benefit for seniors on a budget in Nebraska, however, is that the overall cost of living in Nebraska is 11 points below the national average.

Finally, Nebraska scores a 68 in the General Quality of Life category. For seniors who prefer cooler weather and outdoor activities, Nebraska is a good and place to spend their retirement. The state has an average high temperature of 61.4°F along with a low average rainfall of 24.3 inches. Public schools in the state have a high-quality ranking and an excellent graduation rate of 90.2%, both figures that affect the overall quality of life in Nebraska.



Top Memory Care Communities in Nebraska



Papillion Manor - Papillion, NE

Papillion Manor

610 South Polk St

Papillion, NE 68046

1-855-221-7955

6 Reviews  

Located at 610 South Polk St in Papillion, Nebraska, Papillion Manor is a 110 bed senior housing community. With about 26,000 residents in the zip code of 68046, the encompassing area is densely populated. It is a predominantly ...

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Crete Manor - Crete, NE

Crete Manor

830 East 1st St

Crete, NE 68333

1-855-233-7205

6 Reviews  

Crete Manor is a 104 bed senior care community situated in Crete, Nebraska. The facility is in a predominantly middle class area, with a median household income of $43,435. It has a medium-density population, with approximately 9,000 individuals ...

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Linden Court - North Platte, NE

Linden Court

4000 West Philip Ave

North Platte, NE 69101

1-855-222-1541

6 Reviews  

Linden Court is a 125 unit senior housing community located in North Platte, Nebraska. With an average per-family income of $41,176, the community is in a predominantly middle income area. It has a dense population, with approximately 31,000 ...

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The Cost of Memory Care in Nebraska



There is no database for national memory care costs; however, memory care costs are on average of 20% to 30% more than assisted living, so we've calculated memory care costs by adding 25% to assisted living costs reported in the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey.

Compared to its neighbors, Nebraska has a mid-range cost of memory care. It's $140 less than the U.S. average, and it's quite similar to Wyoming's cost of $5,219 per month. Directly to the south is Kansas, which has a much higher memory care cost of $6,363, but to the east is Missouri, which has one of the lowest costs of memory care in the region at $3,750. Iowa is also close to the national average at $5,091, and South Dakota is around $700 per month cheaper at $4,548.

  • Nebraska: $5,235
  • US Average: $5,375
  • Iowa: $5,091
  • South Dakota: $4,548
  • Kansas: $6,363
  • Wyoming: $5,219
  • Missouri: $3,750

The Cost of Memory Care in Nebraska’s Top Cities

While the cost of memory care in Nebraska averages $5,235, the actual cost varies substantially throughout the state. There are three main Nebraskan cities for which data is available in the Genworth Survey: Omaha, Lincoln and Grand Island. Omaha is the state capital, and it has an average of $5,654 per month, which puts it more than $400 above the state average. However, Lincoln is even pricier at $5,944, and Grand Island is the lowest-cost city in the state for which data is available at $5,475. However, data is also collected for cities near the state borders, such as Sioux City in Iowa. Here, costs run $4,688, while in St Joseph, Missouri, costs are even lower at $4,360. In Manhattan, Kansas, costs run to a staggering $7,173 a month.

  • Omaha: $5,654
  • Lincoln: $5,944
  • Grand Island: $5,475 
  • Sioux City, Iowa: $4,688
  • St Joseph, Missouri: $4,360
  • Manhattan, Kansas: $7,173

Senior Care Cost Comparison Nebraska

Residing in an assisted living facility is only one care option for senior Nebraskans. Homemaker services, which include help with shopping, meal preparation and cleaning, cost $4,862 a month on average. A home health aide, who can assist with some medical care issues, is $4,957 a month. The most expensive option is a semi-private room in a nursing care facility, which costs $7,194 a month. The least expensive option for senior care is adult day care, which has an average cost of $1,560 a day.

  • Memory Care: $5,235
  • Assisted Living: $4,188
  • Homemaker Services: $4,862
  • Home Health Aide: $4,957
  • Nursing Care Facility (Semi-Private Room): $7,194
  • Adult Day Care: $1,560

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Nebraska



Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled

Address: 301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
Phone Number: (402) 471-3121
Website: http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Aged-Blind-or-Disabled.aspx

This program, operated by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is designed to assist low-income or/and disabled seniors. The program provides both cash assistance and medical care. Funds can be used toward the cost of room and board in an assisted living facility.

Applicants must be ages 65 or older and meet the financial and resources guidelines. Cash assistance can also be used for clothing needs and transportation, among other purposes.


Nebraska Memory Care Rules and Regulations



The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Licensure Unit licenses and regulates all assisted living facilities that provide memory care in Nebraska. ALFs provide care and shelter for a minimum of four residents. An ALF may also contain a special care unit that is secure and segmented for seniors with any dementia-related condition. Alzheimer’s Special Care Units may also be standalone facilities that only provide memory care treatment.

The DHHS can randomly inspect up to 25% of all facilities in Nebraska each year.

Facility Scope of Care

Any ALF or ASCU must provide at a minimum admission, continuing assessments, three daily meals, 24-hour access to staff and support with the activities of daily living.

Facilities may also provide:

  • Personal care
  • Transportation
  • Laundry and housekeeping services
  • Barber and beauty services
  • Spiritual activities
  • Behavioral management

Admission Requirements

Individuals who may be admitted include seniors and adults with:

  • Intellectual, developmental or physical disabilities
  • Stable chronic illnesses
  • Alzheimer’s/dementia
  • Controlled behavioral issues
  • Other mental health conditions

 Individuals who may not be admitted include those who:

  • Require ongoing or complex nursing care
  • Have unstable or unpredictable conditions
  • May compromise facility operations or pose a danger to others.

Care Plan Requirements

Each new resident must be evaluated by an ALF to determine their condition. The facility must then draw up a care plan or a resident services agreement that outlines what services will be provided and details the cost of the services. As the resident’s needs or condition changes, the plan must be reassessed and updated

Medication Management Requirements

Every resident needs to provide the ALF or ASCU with a yearly update list of all needed prescription drugs, supplements, biologicals and devices taken or used. These lists must include the dosage, how often they are used and the instructions for taking them.

Facilities who need to provide access to or to administer medications can accomplish this in one of three ways:

  • Capable residents may self-administer medications with or without supervision
  • A licensed health care provider may administer medications
  • A competent, trained staff member can administer these medications provided they have received appropriate direction and monitoring

Facility Requirements

Resident accommodations in an ALF or an ASCU can be a single bedroom or an apartment. The apartment must have a separate shower and kitchen area and a private bathroom that includes a sink, a toilet and a tub or a shower. Requirements for sprinkler systems, fire alarms and fire drills are determined by how capable residents are of self-evacuating.

Any ALF built before 2007 may house up to four residents per unit. Only two residents per unit are allowed in facilities that were constructed after 2007. These locations must have a sink and a toilet for every six residents and a shower or a bath for every 16.

Facilities built after 2007 must provide a sink and a toilet for every four residents and one bath or shower for every eight. New construction requires a handwashing sink in each bedroom and a minimum of one bath or shower to serve every eight rooms.

Staffing Requirements

All facilities in Nebraska must employ an administrator. This individual is responsible for the day-by-day operations of the ALF or ASCU. Each facility needs to have sufficient direct care staff to provide adequate personal care and trained medication aides. Every ALF also needs to appoint a registered nurse who will review medication administration policy and procedures yearly and oversee the training of medication aides.

Administrators need to complete 30 hours of appropriate training during the first six months of employment while direct care staff members require orientation and training related to their duties. All staff must complete at least 12 hours of training a year.

The administrator and staff of a memory care facility need to receive training in how to treat Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the facility's supervision and dementia care philosophy. Each staff member needs to receive a minimum of four hours of continuing education on dementia care each year.

Medicaid Policy

While the Nebraska state Medicare plan does not pay for care in an ALF or an ASCU as an entitlement, residents of the state can apply for the Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waiver. This waiver can help cover the cost of provided services in these care settings. Residents who qualify for the waiver are still responsible for paying for any facility's room and board. Eligible individuals may be first placed on a waiting list.

Reporting Abuse

Complaints about abuse or neglect in a facility that receives Medicaid payments may be filed with the Medicaid Fraud and Patient Abuse Unit of the Nebraska Atty. Gen.’s office. Incidents may also be reported to the DHHS Licensure Unit or by calling the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at (800) 942-7830


Free Memory Care Resources in Nebraska



Alzheimer’s Association of Nebraska

The national Alzheimer’s Association has over 70 chapters across the country, including one in Nebraska. The Alzheimer’s Association provides information and resources to seniors or to their families who are dealing with Alzheimer’s. It also provides support groups for family members and holds fundraising events that promote research to treat Alzheimer’s or dementia-related diseases.


LegalAid of Nebraska Access to Justice

This provides access to legal assistance for low-income seniors with offices in Omaha, Scottsbluff, North Platte and Bancroft, as well as other major cities. It can assist seniors with consumer law, state and federal public benefits and family law. Seniors have to have an income at or less than 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines to qualify. It also offers self-help information and resources.



Nebraska Agencies


State Unit on Aging/DHHS

Address: P.O. Box 95026, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-5026
Phone Number: (402) 471-2307
Website: http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Aging.aspx

The State Unit on Aging provides information on Alzheimer’s and dementia and how they are treated in Nebraska, as well as where to find financial assistance to pay for memory care. It also provides links to local senior centers and information on assisted living facilities in the state. The unit was created as part of a 2016 Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) plan, now known as Dementia Friendly Nebraska.



Area Agencies on Aging


Nebraska’s eight Area Agencies on Aging promote and help plan the development of community services for Nebraska seniors. They create physical and social environments that give seniors maximum opportunities for growth and personal expression. They also provide information and resources on the treatment of dementia-related diseases.



Veteran Services Offices in Nebraska


The Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs helps veterans and their families obtain all benefits to which they are entitled. The state’s veterans homes offer top-quality nursing care for veterans or eligible family members. The department has four homes located in Bellevue, Norfolk, Scottsbluff and Kearney. Each home has a memory support unit dedicated to providing a structured and safe environment for veterans with memory care issues. Seniors and their families can find out more information about these facilities at their local Veterans Affairs office.



Social Services Offices in Nebraska


Nebraska provides seniors a monthly optional Social Security supplement of approximately $438 a month to help with the cost of room and board in an ALF. Seniors interested in applying for the supplement must be eligible for the federal SSI benefit and live in an ALF. It is important to inquire with the facility if they accept the optional Social Security payment. Seniors can find out more information at their local Social Security office.

 

Other Cities in Nebraska

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