Which States Are the Most Dementia-Friendly?

Many states in the U.S. are becoming more dementia-friendly, implementing programs to educate people on how to reduce their risk of dementia, sourcing funding to improve facilities, and offering waivers to help with caring costs. 

More than seven million people in the US are living with dementia, a figure projected to almost double to 13 million by 2050.

With no cure currently available, families often face the challenging situation of providing daily care for loved ones. In fact, nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid dementia care, contributing an estimated 19 billion hours in 2024 alone – a contribution valued at $413 billion.

This report looked at which U.S. states have the highest rates of dementia in their senior population, the availability of memory care facilities in those states, and  how many Alzheimer’s-related deaths occurred in that state over the past five years. By combining those factors, we determined the most dementia-friendly states.

Alongside the data, our experts share guidance on recognizing when it might be time to consider memory care, how to approach conversations with loved ones, and ways to support your own wellbeing while navigating the emotional impact of dementia caregiving.

Vermont ranks extremely highly in three out of four categories. Despite having a high number of deaths relating to Alzheimer’s, Vermont boasts plenty of memory care facilities, a low prevalence of dementia in residents 65 and older, and a significant reduction in deaths related to Alzheimer’s over the last five years.

Vermont has a large and growing senior population. According to the Vermont Department of Health, one in four Vermonters is over the age of 60, making up almost 30% of its population.

With many seniors, Vermont's demand for services like memory care facilities is higher than in other states, and with 24.4 memory care facilities per 100,000 people, the state is well-equipped to support those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. 

Vermont also provides financial assistance programs, like HomeShare Vermont and Medicaid coverage. 

Arizona is the second-most dementia-friendly state in the U.S., with a score of 8.40 out of 10. Arizona scores exceptionally high for its significant decrease in deaths related to Alzheimer’s over the last five years, and its quantity of memory care facilities per 100,000 people. 

Many memory care facilities in Arizona also provide memory-enhancing activities, such as music and art therapy, and group exercises. These activities are designed to stimulate cognitive function and promote social interaction.

Arizona’s Department of Health Services (DHS) licenses and regulates Arizona’s memory care facilities. Regular inspections take place to ensure safety, staffing, and care requirements and standards are met. 

In January of 2025, Arizona established a certification program whose job is to ensure state memory care training programs educate care staff on cognitive impairments and how best to interact with residents who need memory care.

Iowa completes our top three, scoring 8.14 out of 10. The decline in deaths related to Alzheimer's over the last five years, and the number of senior care facilities, have contributed significantly to its third-place ranking on our list. 

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services had a three-year cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), starting in September 2020 – the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act – aiming to build public health infrastructure that supports Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. In December 2024, Congress reauthorized the program, but as of April 2025, the Alzheimer’s Association sounded the alarm that federal staffing cuts might undermine the BOLD program.

Vermont has the highest number of memory care facilities, with 73.1 per 100,000 people. Despite having one of the smallest overall populations in the U.S., Vermont’s senior population is relatively large. Around one in five (20.8%) people in Vermont are over the age of 65. 

New York has the fewest Alzheimer’s-related deaths, with just 11.7 deaths per 100,000 people. New York has four times fewer deaths than Mississippi, the state with the most Alzheimer’s deaths (48.5 memory care deaths per 100,000 people.)

New York’s low mortality rate for people with Alzheimer’s  is likely due to:

Strong health care infrastructure. A higher density of hospitals, memory care units, and specialists contributes to better support and management for seniors with dementia.

Better education on symptom management. Teaching people how to manage the physical impacts and symptoms of dementia can improve the quality of life for those with the conditions.

Healthier lifestyle choices. Research from the New York State Department of Health also found that individuals in New York make healthier lifestyle choices, contributing to better dementia prevention and management of risk factors. Lifestyle choices include

• Cardiovascular health
• Good quality sleep 
• Healthy diets 

These factors assist in both treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, contributing to New York’s low Alzheimer’s mortality rate. 

In Tennessee, there were 46.7 Alzheimer’s-related deaths per 100,000 people in 2017 – the second-highest rate in the U.S. Five years later, in 2022, the rate of Tennessee deaths relating to Alzheimer’s decreased to 36 per 100,000 people. 

Although Tennessee’s latest Alzheimer’s mortality rate is still the 14th-highest in the US, this decrease of almost 23% was the highest decrease of any state in the same timespan.

State and federal funding has backed Tennessee’s efforts to help those living with dementia. The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act we mentioned in the Iowa section has helped strengthen the public health response to Alzheimer’s disease and associated dementias. 

The Tennessee Dementia ECHO Program has also partnered with Vanderbilt University Medical Center, training healthcare providers in early dementia detection and care. 

By the numbers, Alaska has the lowest prevalence of Alzheimer’s in  the U.S., with only 8.8% of adult Alaskans 65 years and older diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia. This equates to one in 10 people. 

However, Alaska’s lower rate of Alzheimer’s dementia may not tell the full story. One reason for Alaska’s lower rate of dementia could be underdiagnosis. The Alaska State Legislature admitted that there is a lack of public health infrastructure for dementia, which can leave many Alaskans without a formal diagnosis. This is a problem for Alaska, especially considering that the state has the fastest-growing population of adults over 65. 

This growing senior population is likely what netted Alaska its 50% increase in Alzheimer’s-related deaths over the past five years. An increased senior population increases the chances that more of the population will receive a dementia diagnosis before their death. Alaskans aren’t necessarily mishandling seniors with dementia – they just have a higher proportion of seniors with dementia when compared to their overall population than other states.

Alaska is another state who is working with the BOLD infrastructure Tennessee and Iowa partake in. As part of this program, a federal grant supported by the Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act (BOLD) aims to help Alaskans enhance health care referrals, connect patients with services, and ensure long-term support for dementia treatment programs. 

Alzheimer’s affects 7.2 million people in the United States.  The majority of people living with dementia are over the age of 65. Below, we’ve investigated the prevalence of dementia in those aged 65 and over. 

*Note: percentages do not total 100, due to rounding

• Between the ages of 65 and 74, there are 1.9 million people living with dementia. This accounts for 26.3% of all adults with dementia
• The age group where dementia is most prevalent is between 75 and 84, with 2.8 million people living with Alzheimer’s dementia. This equates to 39% of all adults with dementia.
• Just over a third (34.8%) of people living with dementia are over the age of 85. With 2.5 million, this is the second-most typical age for people to have Alzheimer’s dementia. 

• Just 5.1% of people aged 65 to 74 are living with dementia. 
• The rate of dementia more than doubles for people aged between 75 and 84 –  13.2% of people in this age range living with dementia. This equates to more than one in 10 people. 
• For those over the age of 85, the rate almost triples; one in three (33.4%) people over 85 live with Alzheimer’s.

• Age is the biggest risk factor, and the data shows this plainly. As you get older, the likelihood of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia significantly increases. 
• The data also suggests a delay in diagnosis. As. Dr. Ken Robbins pointed out in our 2025 senior mental health study, early diagnosis (especially paired with exercise) is instrumental to slowing down cognitive decline.

There are several considerations you need to make when deciding whether to care for your loved one at home or move them into memory care. There are also several emotions that you’ll feel, as it’s a stressful and challenging decision. 

Susann Crawford, Senior Vice President at Caring, offered her insight into some frequently asked questions about this topic.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, really. It’s a complex decision, guided by several factors. If you’re looking to put a loved one into a memory care facility, then firstly, as tricky as it may be, you need to think about your own life and the responsibilities and commitments you have. 

Ask yourself the following questions:

• How flexible is your job?
• Do you have children, and how much support and time do they need?
• Do you live near your loved one?
• How stressed are you right now?
• Can you still live your life with the emotions and stress that being a caregiver brings?

As a caregiver, you need to provide adequate social interaction. If you’re at a busy part of your life, managing a young family, or bogged down with work, then maybe it is the right time to consider moving your loved ones into a memory care facility. 

Secondly, you need to consider the health of your loved one and the environment they’re in. If you’re unsure, consider the following:

• Is their behaviour changing? Dementia can increase agitation or aggression, which can be challenging to manage at home.
• Are they wandering? Forgetfulness can cause a tendency to wander and get lost. 
• Is there a risk of injury? Things like stairs and tripping hazards can cause them to fall and hurt themselves. The forgetfulness associated with dementia can also bring dangers, like forgetting to turn the oven off. 
• Are they struggling with daily tasks? If your loved one struggles with bathing, dressing, eating, or using the bathroom (known as activities of daily living), a memory care facility might be necessary.

Many memory care facilities provide 24-hour support, and you may need the peace of mind that your loved one is being well looked after by trained staff. Safe and secure environments reduce the risk of falling and wandering, and offer social activities to help with cognition. 

Financial factors are also important to consider when deciding whether or not it’s the right time. However, it can be worth it to yourself and your loved one. It reduces the stress that your life brings, and ensures your loved one is getting the care they need and deserve.

It won’t be an easy conversation, but there are ways you can make this easier. It’s not a simple yes or no question, so please take the time to listen and hear everyone involved. 

Here’s what you can do to make this conversation easier. 

• Choose the right time and place for the conversation. Choose an environment where they feel safe and comfortable, and start by initiating open and honest communication. 
• Include them in the decision-making process. It affects both of you, so listen to them, listen to their concerns, and try to understand their point of view. This will also help your emotions when that move does occur because knowing they’re doing it because they want to reduce the stress. 
• Use gentle and empathetic language. This is a massive change for your loved one, and it will most certainly bring a few nerves. Remember your first day of college? Your first day at work? Well, this is precisely how they will feel when making the move. So avoid any accusatory language, and listen to what they say so you can help them feel at ease.”

For more tips, read our article on how to tell a loved one they are moving to memory care.

It can be challenging to support yourself when dealing with this difficult time. There’s a lot of stress, emotion, and anxiety around the situation, so being able to look after yourself is crucial.

• Prioritize self-care. Take breaks and schedule time for yourself to rest and recharge. The stress and worry can cause some sleepless nights, so make sure you put a couple of hours a day to do something you find relaxing
• Maintain social connections. Continue to spend time with friends and family. This can be through a hobby or activity you enjoy, or just a cup of coffee. It’s a great chance to talk to someone you trust and realise the support you have. Talking is an excellent way of getting things off your chest, so try not to isolate yourself. 
• Connect with a support group. Many communities can connect you with people who are going through the same thing. Sometimes, speaking to people who are going through the same thing as you is a great way to relieve stress and find support. 
• It’s okay to grieve. It’s perfectly normal to experience feelings of loss and grief, as your loved one's life is changed by Alzheimer’s. Acknowledge these feelings and speak to people about them. It’s an ongoing process, so face your feelings and work through them.

Caring is the leading resource in the U.S. for families searching for the right senior living option for their loved ones. With support from experienced Family Advisors, families get expert guidance to find a community that fits their needs perfectly.

As part of an ongoing commitment to making sure seniors and their loved ones have all the details needed to make informed decisions about their future care, we collected data to create a picture of which states are best equipped to support those facing cognitive decline.

Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures

• National figures on the prevalence of Alzheimer's by age group
• Prevalence of Alzheimer’s Dementia in each state

Alzheimer’s Disease Mortality by State

• Deaths related to Alzheimer's per 100,000 people
• Five-year change in deaths related to Alzheimer's per 100,000 people

What is Memory Care?

• Number of memory care facilities

Population figures for those aged 65 and over were sourced from official Census data.

All data was collected in August 2025 and is correct as of then.

• Alzheimer’s and other dementias. (n.d.). Iowa Health and Human Services
• Alzheimer’s Association sounding alarm over the threat of elimination of Alzheimer’s programs at HHS, CDC. (2025).  Alzheimer’s Association.
• Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. (2025). Alzheimer’s Association.
• An act pertaining to Alzheimer's/dementia awareness sponsor statement. (n.d) Alaska State Legislature.
• Dementia education and prevention. (n.d). State of Alaska Department of Health.
• Leading causes of death. (2025). National Center for Health Statistics.
• Report of the New York state coordinating council for services related to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia to the governor and the New York State Legislature. (2023). New York State Department of Health.
• Risk factors for dementia. (2024). Alzheimer’s Society
• Wassermann, Jennifer. (2025). New memory care legislation to take effect in Arizona on July 1. Davis Miles
• Which U.S. states have the oldest populations? (2021). Population Reference Bureau
• 60+ Elders in Vermont. (2021). Vermont State Data Center.