Memory care in the Omaha area

What is memory care in Nebraska?

Memory care in Nebraska is care in a licensed assisted-living facility or nursing home that specializes in Alzheimer's disease and dementia, usually in a secured unit, shown on the DHHS roster as an Alzheimer's unit, a memory care endorsement or a nursing home special care unit.

The DHHS assisted living roster of October 15, 2026 lists 42 of the 79 licensed ALFs in Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Saunders and Washington counties with an Alzheimer's unit and 34 with a memory care endorsement; 32 hold both, and 5 nursing homes list an Alzheimer's or special care unit. Dementia units must keep direct care staff awake, dressed and available at all times and give families written admission and discharge criteria; endorsed ALFs have also proved enhanced staffing, training, programming and security.

Who needs memory care?

Someone with dementia who wanders or tries to leave, cannot recognize danger, needs supervision at night, or whose behavior is hard to manage in an ordinary setting usually needs memory care; a diagnosis alone does not.

Memory care is also often chosen when a spouse or adult child can no longer provide round-the-clock supervision safely at home. Residents who also need daily skilled nursing may need a nursing home special care unit instead.

What does memory care cost in Omaha?

No published memory care median exists for Omaha or Nebraska; communities quote their own prices, typically above the $6,350 monthly assisted living median, and must disclose costs and extra fees in their Alzheimer's special care disclosure.

Ask whether the rate is all-inclusive or rises with care levels, and whether the community is waiver-certified.

What should Omaha families ask a memory care community first?

Ask which designation it holds on the DHHS roster, for its Alzheimer's special care disclosure and written discharge criteria, how many staff are awake on the unit overnight, and how it handles exit-seeking, falls and sundowning.

Also ask at what point a resident would need to move to a nursing home, and whether the community is certified for the AD Waiver.

Where is memory care available across the Omaha area?

Here is how Nebraska's DHHS rosters and CMS's datasets distribute memory care across the five counties.