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Public meetings set on State Alzheimer's Plan

A series of public meetings begin tonight on a state plan to address the needs of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, and their caregivers.

The Aging Nebraskans Task Force is putting together a strategic plan that addresses family and community needs, education, and resources.

Michaela Valentin, government affairs director for Omaha’s Home Instead Senior Care, a member of the task force, says 81,000 Nebraskans are caregivers to patients with Alzheimer’s Disease.

"And those folks provided a total of 92 million hours of unpaid care. That static from the Alzheimer’s Association just goes to show we have so many people that are dealing with this horrible disease, and they might be doing it privately and not wanting to let people know what’s going on in their family. But we want to reach out to them and tell them we have the resources for them."

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates there are 37,000 people in Nebraska living with the disease.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 5:30 at Salem Baptist Church in Omaha. Valentin says the task force wants to have a strategic plan put together by the end of the year.

Meetings will also be held later this month in Pender and Alliance.