Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and Alzheimer's Programs in Kentucky

Kentucky has one of the highest rates of Alzheimer's disease in the United States. The state also has research and support infrastructure that most caregivers never learn about — including a nationally ranked Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the University of Kentucky that offers clinical evaluations, research participation, and caregiver resources at no cost.

The UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging

The Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky in Lexington is one of roughly 30 NIH-designated Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers in the country. It has operated continuously since 1979 and conducts both basic neuroscience research and clinical studies on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

What Sanders-Brown offers to families:

• Clinical evaluations — the center's clinical core conducts comprehensive cognitive assessments for individuals with suspected or diagnosed dementia. These evaluations can provide diagnostic clarity that a primary care physician may not be equipped to offer.
• Research participation — Sanders-Brown runs ongoing clinical trials testing new treatments, diagnostic tools, and prevention strategies. Participation is voluntary, and many studies cover the cost of evaluations and monitoring.
• Brain donation program — the center operates one of the largest brain banks in the country, contributing to post-mortem research that advances understanding of Alzheimer's pathology. Families can enroll their loved one in this program.
• Educational programs — Sanders-Brown hosts caregiver workshops, community lectures, and annual symposia on dementia care advances.

How to access Sanders-Brown: Contact the center directly through the University of Kentucky's neurology department. There is no requirement to be referred by a physician, though a referral can expedite the intake process. The center is located at 800 South Limestone Street in Lexington.

University of Louisville Trager Institute

The Trager Institute at the University of Louisville focuses on geriatric care, aging research, and interprofessional education. While smaller than Sanders-Brown, it provides:

• Geriatric assessments — comprehensive evaluations for older adults with complex health needs, including cognitive screening
• Caregiver support programs — education and resources for family caregivers managing chronic conditions
• Community partnerships — the institute works with Louisville-area organizations to improve elder care access

The Trager Institute is particularly useful for families in the Louisville metro area who need a local evaluation without traveling to Lexington.

Kentucky's Office of Dementia Services

The state government operates an Office of Dementia Services within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. This office coordinates:

• Dementia Friendly Communities initiative — a program that trains businesses, first responders, and community organizations to better serve individuals with cognitive impairment
• The Kentucky State Plan on Alzheimer's Disease — the state's strategic framework for addressing dementia care, research, and support across all 120 counties
• Training and certification — the office sets standards for dementia care training in licensed facilities and supports workforce development for direct care workers

Alzheimer's Association Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter

The Alzheimer's Association's regional chapter provides the most widely accessible support for Kentucky families:

• 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) — trained staff can answer questions about diagnosis, care planning, and local resources at any hour
• Support groups — in-person and virtual groups meet throughout the state, organized by relationship (spouse, adult child) and stage of disease
• Care navigation — association staff can help connect families with local adult day programs, respite providers, and legal planning resources
• MedicAlert + Safe Return — a nationwide identification and emergency response program for individuals who wander. Participants wear an ID bracelet linked to a 24/7 response center

How These Programs Connect to Your Care Plan

Research programs and support organizations are valuable, but they address only one piece of the puzzle. Families dealing with a dementia diagnosis in Kentucky also need to navigate legal authority (Power of Attorney before capacity is lost), the state's HCB Waiver program for home-based care, Medicaid eligibility rules, and the facility licensing system that determines what kind of residential care your parent can receive.

The Kentucky Dementia & Memory Care Guide integrates all of these elements — from the initial legal planning checklist through Medicaid spend-down strategies and care setting comparisons — so you can coordinate the clinical, legal, and financial sides of your parent's care in one place.

See more Kentucky guides →