Sarpy County has a population of over 184,000 people and a large 65 and over community that makes up over 11 percent of the population. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, over 12 percent of the county's Medicaid recipients age 65 and over have Alzheimer's disease. The area is served by the Nebraska Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
In Sarpy County and in all of Nebraska, facilities that offer memory care must abide by regulations outlined in the Alzheimer's Special Care Disclosure Act, including submitting a written statement to the Division of Public Health regarding the facility’s care philosophy. This county has four memory care facilities, including two in Bellevue, one in Gretna and one in Papillion.
- Nebraska is among the few states that impose a state income tax on all forms of retirement income, including Social Security benefits. Withdrawals from retirement accounts and disbursements from public and private pensions are taxed at the normal rate without exemptions or deductions. This may affect seniors’ memory care budgets in Sarpy County.
- Sarpy County's air quality is good, with the county receiving a B for short-term particle pollution and a passing grade for annual particle pollution from the American Lung Association. This may make memory care in this county a good option for seniors with some health conditions.
- The overall cost of living in Sarpy County is about 2 percent higher than the national average and roughly 8 percent higher than the statewide average. Healthcare expenses are about 25 percent higher than the national average, which may be a concern for families whose senior loved ones have chronic medical conditions like dementia.
- Sarpy County is prone to extreme temperatures, with year-round temperatures ranging between 13 and 86 degrees. The county receives about 34 inches of snowfall each year versus the national average of 26 inches, which may be a consideration for seniors with mobility challenges.
Note: Data reported on this page was updated in 2019 and based on the latest 2018 figures.