Dementia, and specifically Alzheimer's, is a serious, growing problem. In fact, 1 out of every 10 adults over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s dementia. As Omaha’s senior population continues to grow (15.62% growth between 2013 and 2017), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Omaha, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 41% between 2013 and 2017. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 4%, showing that Alzheimer’s is a growing concern in the region. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is higher than the rest of the nation (8.02% in Omaha vs. 6.46% in the U.S.).
In order to help families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer's find the support and care that their loved ones need, we've compiled information below about the cost of Memory Care, how to get financial assistance to help make care more affordable, free resources, etc. Also included are reviews of the best memory care facilities in the area, which cover pricing, types of care provided, residents' reviews, and more.
Note: Memory care is typically provided in communities licensed as assisted living facilities, and in general, costs 20-30% more than standard assisted living services. No authoritative cost data is available for this type of care, so we estimated memory care rates by adding 25% to assisted living fees in the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
Memory care facilities in Omaha cost an average of $5,815 per month.
Memory care in Omaha is significantly more expensive than the state average of $5,095 and slightly more expensive than the national average of $5,625. At $3,633, Grand Island has the most affordable memory care facilities in the state; at $5,894, Lincoln has the least affordable. Across the state line in Iowa, Ames offers a similar price point to Omaha at $5,819 per month, and Des Moines is significantly more expensive at $6,604 per month.
Seniors in Omaha have a range of long-term care options available depending on their needs and budget. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the most affordable option is adult day health care, which costs on average $1,842 per month for weekday care only. For seniors who require assistance with daily tasks in a secure community, assisted living facilities cost on average $4,652 per month. For those wishing to remain living at home, in-home care and home health care typically cost $5,529 per month each. Seniors who need the maximum level of care that nursing homes provide can find a semiprivate room at an average of $7,452.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for memory care out-of-pocket, it's important to find alternative methods to help make memory care more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Memory Care in Omaha.
Seniors and their families who are considering long-term memory care options have a variety of free and low-cost resources available to assist them. These include resources from federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and local charities.
resource | contact | description | location |
---|---|---|---|
Alzheimer's Association Nebraska Chapter | 800-272-3900 | The Nebraska Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association serves families all over Nebraska, providing support services for families, educational programs, resources and information. The agency also funds dementia research and encourages public policy changes across Nebraska. | Omaha, NE |
2-1-1 Nebraska | 211 | 211 is a free source of information for people who need assistance. It offers support and information about adult day health care, aging and disability resource centers, respite care and home health care. | Omaha, NE |
Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging | 402-444-6536 | The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging offers Omaha seniors aging and disability resources, including guidance on Medicaid, legal issues such as powers of attorney and abuse and neglect protective services. | Omaha, NE |
Legal Aid of Nebraska - ElderAccessLine | 800-527-7249 | The ElderAccessLine provides seniors with Nebraska-specific legal assistance related to Alzheimer’s and dementia. Legal Aid of Nebraska organizes this free service, which covers wills, powers of attorney and Medicare. | Statewide |
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 83% of all caregivers are unpaid family members, relatives, or other friends, and nearly half of all care is for older adults with some form of dementia. Caregiving, especially when it involves Alzheimer’s or dementia, is extremely exhausting and time-consuming, leading many caregivers to feel isolated and overwhelmed.
As a loved one continues to progress through the stages of dementia and his or her cognitive abilities continue to decline, behavioral problems, safety, and general care often become more than one caregiver can handle. This is when it’s important to find extra help, and residential facilities that have specialized memory care programs are often the best solution.
In addition to providing a safe environment, memory care programs seek to delay or halt cognitive decline while providing the opportunity for a social, independent lifestyle.
To choose the best memory care facilities in Omaha, our team of researchers started by using our unique methodology to develop a list of contenders. We further refined the list in the next phase of our process by completing hands-on research for each one of the companies that we developed. Finally, we compiled online reviews from residents and families and wrote summaries of each facility that made it through our selection process.
Overall, our team:
Brighton Gardens of Omaha, Nebraska, blends stately, modern decor with a midwestern charm that offers its residents tranquil and comfortable accommodations. Outdoor walking paths allow residents and their visitors to enjoy the manicured landscape and gardens at their leisure. Outdoor seating can be found in an enclosed porch and a shady patio area, while indoor common rooms feature plenty of plush armchairs and couches. Events and activities at Brighton Gardens focus on creating a lively, dynamic experience that motivates residents to exercise their minds and bodies and remain active within their community. Group meetings for games and hobbies can be enjoyed in the�common areas,�and outings to nearby restaurants and shopping centers are also scheduled regularly. Additional conveniences include an on-site library and salon. A restaurant-style dining room and bistro bar are available in addition to a private dining room that residents can use to entertain family and friends.
Reviewers appreciate the facility's cozy�atmosphere: "This facility is top-notch. It is so beautiful to begin with and has all the amenities of home plus more. It is clean and well kept up. The environment of the common areas are right out of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine. The food is delicious."
Country House is a memory care facility located in the Millard section of Western Omaha, near Zorinsky Lake Park. Its emphasis is on making residents feel at home when they join the community, a goal they further by inviting seniors to bring their own furniture items that remind them of home. Its LifeCycle�program focuses on spiritual, social, physical and intellectual richness, and it encourages breakthroughs in these areas by providing several amenities, including a courtyard with a patio, a putting green and an on-site beauty salon. Residents are welcome to have guests visit, and the facility provides a furnished guest room, so visitors can spend the night with their loved one. Events are regularly offered and include bingo, cooking classes and religious services, and residents have access to the kitchen for hands-on activities.
Residents and their loved ones appreciate the demeanor of the staff members and their willingness to assist, calling them "very knowledgeable, thorough and friendly." Loved ones appreciate the efforts staff members make to help residents live their lives comfortably and with respect, with one saying about a parent, "In his final days he was given the dignity he deserved."
Crown�Pointe is comfortably situated in a neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska, that balances suburban convenience with residential serenity. The carpeted�indoor common area features high ceilings, comfortable seating and a large fireplace with a raised hearth. This pet-friendly facility provides residents with a variety of amenities that include devotional meetings, a library room, newspaper delivery, an exercise center and salon services. Regularly scheduled educational, social and entertainment events allow residents to keep up with their favorite hobbies or learn about new ones. Off-site appointments can be scheduled with the facility�s own transportation service, but on-site banking and options for home health care services provide residents with easy access to common necessities. Dining at Crown�Pointe includes balanced menu selections offering comprehensive nutritional quality through made-from-scratch meals that use fresh ingredients. Residents who want to celebrate special occasions with their loved ones can also reserve a private dining room.
One resident writes in their review: "The staff is great. They serve good food and provide good service. I don't have any complaints about anything. We are satisfied with our room .�They have a library and an entertainment room and a small outside place .�I am satisfied with this place."
Edgewood Vista Omaha is a memory care community with a homelike atmosphere that helps residents feel a sense of security and kinship with their environment. Seniors enjoy snacks and three nutritious homestyle meals per day. Licensed nurses are among the 24-hour staff specially trained in caring for people with dementia. The facility handles laundry and housekeeping, leaving more time for residents to connect with neighbors and participate in a variety of individual and group activities. The secure courtyard provides a safe place to relax and walk around outdoors without the risk of wandering too far. When its time for a haircut, residents are only steps away from the facility's barbershop and beauty salon. Strategically placed life stations, milestones and memoirs of the past help everyone stay connected with their surroundings.
Seniors and their family members particularly enjoy the genuine compassion of the care staff. One resident's child noted, "This facility takes the time to get to know and love the residents. The residents interact and become friends with each other, which I have never seen from other facilities."
Esprit Whispering Ridge Omaha is an assisted living and memory care community set in a lovely neighborhood. The common areas are appointed in a sleek, contemporary style with abundant natural light. Assisted living residents enjoy unique amenities that include a cozy pub area and a 24/7 self-serve ice cream machine. The pet-friendly campus even offers pet care while residents travel. Three secured memory care neighborhoods provide seniors with a homelike environment based on their required level of care. Residents live in private studios or one-bedroom suites equipped with a kitchenette, Healthsense technology and an emergency call system. The compassionate caregivers work with families to create an individualized program of care for each resident that incorporates and honors personal history. Life enrichment spaces spark curiosity in residents and stimulate memories.
Family members appreciate the good food and abundance of fun activities here. Those with loved ones in memory care are especially grateful for the exceptional staff. One wrote, My mother is in one of the memory care neighborhoods at Esprit. She is receiving great care. The management is very engaged and experienced and working to create the best residence for residents regardless of the extent of care needed.�
Hansen House Assisted Living is a mid-sized community dedicated to providing memory care for a maximum of 54 residents. Privacy and independence are respected by the staff here, with each person having their own apartment�including a private bathroom and shower. Seniors also�enjoy a higher degree of control over their daily life by setting their own schedule for sleeping and bathing, as well as being able to�lock their apartment door whenever they wish. The�community is a secure environment with a gated courtyard that allows residents to safely explore and enjoy the fresh air. Activities are scheduled all throughout the day and include outdoor therapy and exercise, word games, cards, trivia and other memory-focused activities.
The wife of a Hansen House resident comments on the staff, saying, "They seem to be very caring, friendly, personable and keep me informed of what's going on, so they're very good."�Another review praises staff for allowing her mother to help out and remain active, saying, "She helped set the table for meals, helped fold the laundry, she was able to do the things she wanted to do and was happy once again!"
Residents at Heritage Pointe Senior Living enjoy personalized assisted living and memory care services in a comfortable, elegant building overlooking Stolley Prairie. Apartments come in a variety of sizes and layouts with spacious 10-foot ceilings and accessible bathrooms. The restaurant-style dining hall allows residents to eat according to their own schedule and is a convenient setting for family gatherings. Heritage Pointes Memory Support wings are cozy, secured environments tailored to those with Alzheimers or other forms of dementia that include private suites and comfortable common areas. It features a unique Memory Support program called Portraits that is centered on enhancing residents abilities and helping each person feel like him or herself in any way possible.
Loved ones praise Heritage Pointe for its warm and competent staff. One reviewer comments, From the minute we stepped into Heritage Pointe, we had a sense of caring and peace. We made the choice for [mom] to come here and couldnt be happier. Over and over they have proven she is in the best place with the best care.�
Hillcrest�Mable Rose is an assisted living and memory care facility�offering private apartments with a selection of floor plans. Within the memory support program, residents are encouraged to freely explore their secure environment including the tranquil outdoor living spaces, such as the manicured courtyard with veranda, gardens and a walking path.�A staff professionally trained in Alzheimer's and dementia care provides�residents with memory boxes for reminiscing and�engages them in stimulating, therapeutic activities designed to�promote self-esteem and connection.�Residents in each building enjoy family-style meals and have access to the on-site health center.
Family members praise the facilitys attentive, engaged staff that creates a supportive environment for residents. One reviewer says, Very caring staff. Lots of activities for the residents and social events to involve the family. My Mother first lived on the Assisted Living side of this location and later moved to the Memory Support side as her Alzheimer's progressed. It was an easy transition, made easier by the great staff.�
House of Hope Alzheimer's Care is a midsize community designed for the particular needs of those suffering from memory-related conditions, with a specific focus on early and middle stage Alzheimer's.�The large main building is divided into neighborhoods of about 10 apartments each, and every resident has a private room. These smaller neighborhoods help keep the staff to resident ratio high, which allows for more personal connections on an individual basis. Each neighborhood has its own dining room and social areas.�There's also a shared area for everyone to enjoy, which has a chapel, 50s style diner with a soda fountain, barber and beauty room, library and dining area with a secure deck overlooking the courtyard.
The child of a long-time resident comments on the general appearance, activities and surrounding area, saying, "The facilities are very clean, the grounds are beautiful and there are many activities for the residents. I visited mom at least weekly day time and night time, and I always felt safe in the neighborhood."
Parsons House on Eagle Run provides assisted living and memory care in a luxurious, tastefully designed�facility set�alongside the Champions Run Golf Course.�Numerous amenities�offer residents comfort and convenience and include an aesthetician and massage services, on-site library and apartments with granite countertops�and�garden views. In the memory care unit, abundant natural light and bright colors�create a stimulating yet familiar environment for those with Alzheimer's and dementia. Residents can relax in Nebraska's largest secure courtyard, go on one of the facility's scheduled outings or�engage in community activities�such as pet therapy, arts and crafts and gardening. Three fresh, home-cooked meals are served each day along with nutritious snacks.
Loved ones compliment the facilitys attractive appearance, capable staff and the memory care units engaging programs. One reviewer says, Parson's House is immaculate and very beautiful They take them out of the facility to programs for the elderly They take them for rides once a week around the city The staff is wonderful and very knowledgeable, and the administration is very helpful."
Prairie Meadows Alzheimer's Special Care Center creates a familiar atmosphere for Omaha seniors with memory conditions through their unique Meaningful Moments program. This approach begins with a staff member interviewing each resident to learn their life story and identify preferences and cherished memories. These important details are integrated into daily living through an individualized service plan. In addition to this program,�Prairie Meadows offers its seniors the chance to participate in spiritually strengthening activities such as Bible study, communion and hymn singing<strong>.</strong> The community also strives to keep families involved by holding regularly scheduled social events with loved ones.Residents can choose between a companion suite or private room with furnished linens and routine housekeeping. Each apartment offers TV and phone outlets, and the entire facility is monitored by an electronic security system.
Reviewers are happy with Prairie Meadow's continued support for residents with all stages of dementia or Alzheimer's. One such reviewer writes, "Where many other facilities have assisted living with a memory care wing, Prairie Meadows is all designated to Alzheimer's, with facilities dedicated to different levels in the progression of the disease."
Richmont�Senior Living conveniently provides independent living, assisted living and memory care on one large, pet-friendly�campus. The facility's comfortably furnished living areas, private apartments, numerous amenities and frequently organized social gatherings help residents�enjoy�fulfilled, low-stress lives. Residents can schedule hair appointments at the on-site beauty salon, email loved ones from the computer room or relax on the outdoor patio. The MJ Signature memory care program offers Alzheimer's and dementia care services in a building specially designed to accommodate each resident's unique needs. To engage residents, staff members facilitate optional activities including morning devotionals, lectures, gardening and arts and crafts.
Reviewers�comment on the facilitys comfortable design, fun activities and caring staff. One�resident says, Richmont Village is really a great place. Everybody is very friendly, helpful and welcoming. They have all kinds of activities, like shopping, trips and bingo games. The layout is very convenient and nice. My apartment overlooks a courtyard.�
Situated in Omaha, Nebraska, Via Christe�is an assisted living and memory care facility dedicated to preserving residents' independence through a system of progressing levels of care. Housekeeping and assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, or toileting, are provided to all residents. Seniors who need more care, such as those with�Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, are provided with 24-hour staff and medication management in addition to the basic level of support. Via Christe�encourages its residents to remain active with on-site exercise facilities, an activity room and monthly programs organized by the in-house activities director. Transportation is�scheduled to and from residents'�appointments and other various places of interest. Via Christe�conveniently offers month-to-month leases, with all utilities and basic cable TV included, for seniors who may require a shorter stay.
One reviewer highlighted the employees at Via Christe�for their assistance and support to seniors, saying, "The staff at Via Christe is so kind [and] considerate. They truly care about the residents."