Wisconsin State Alzheimer’s Plan Overview
In October 2013, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) convened the Dementia Care Stakeholder Summit. Participants discussed a redesign of the state’s dementia care system in order to provide appropriate, safe and cost-effective care throughout the entire course of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. With input from the Summit, DHS released a draft State Plan for public comment and review. DHS incorporated the stakeholder input into its final published report, Dementia Care Redesign: A Plan for a Dementia-Capable Wisconsin, released in February 2014.
In 2018, DHS conducted a public survey to get input from individuals and professionals impacted by memory loss or dementia. DHS convened the 2018 Dementia Summit with key stakeholders including family caregivers, advocacy organizations, health and human services agencies, legislators, clinicians, researchers, home care providers and long-term care providers to review the public survey and identify priority areas. Four priority areas were identified: 1) Care provided in communities where people live; 2) Improving how health care providers diagnose and care for people with dementia; 3) Responding to crises involving people with dementia; 4) Care provided in assisted living, nursing homes, and other residential communities. These priorities formed the foundation of the Wisconsin State Dementia Plan: 2019–2023.
During 2022 and at the start of 2023, state partners engaged in an information gathering process through 49 different community events. Three State Dementia Plan Summits were also hosted to collect input on the next iteration of the state plan’s goals, strategies, and implementation. In April 2024, the 2024-2028 State Dementia Plan was released, which aims to enhance public education and community support, grow a dementia-capable workforce, improve coordinated care, data and research, enhance policy and advocacy, and support BOLD implementation strategies.
Wisconsin 2025 Policy Priorities
Protect Funding for the Alzheimer’s Family Caregiver Support Program
Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease, with an impact that goes beyond those living with it. Alzheimer’s and other dementia affects entire families and can cause tremendous financial hardships. Last year, caregivers in Wisconsin provided $5.53 billion of unpaid care for their loved ones living with Alzheimer’s. Wisconsin’s Alzheimer’s Family Caregiver Support Program (AFCSP) is at risk of losing $3.5 million annually in funding due to federal changes disallowing means-testing for programs under the Older Americans Act. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state lawmakers to amend Wisconsin State Statues to eliminate the means test for AFCSP. This change will ensure compliance with federal regulations, protect vital funding and strengthen the Wisconsin caregiver support system, enabling families to care for loved ones at home while reducing long-term care costs.
Increasing the Number of Dementia Crisis Stabilization Units
Over 90% of individuals living with dementia experience neuropsychiatric systems, creating crises that many Wisconsin families struggle to manage without adequate resources. Wisconsin currently has only one Dementia Crisis Stabilization Unit (DSCU) with two more currently planned, which is insufficient to meet the growing demand for care in the state. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state lawmakers to allocate an additional $1 million in state funding to establish three additional DCSUs. These additional units will be crucial to providing support to caregivers by preventing unnecessary and repeated hospitalization and equipping caregivers with tools and training.
Establish Dementia Crisis Program Specialist Positions
Individuals living with dementia account for 22.4% of Adult Protective Services (APS) cases in the state of Wisconsin. Current staffing levels and resources at APS are insufficient to address the complex crises and behaviors associated with dementia, creating a risk of harm for individuals living with dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state lawmakers to allocate $1 million in state funding to establish 10 Dementia Crisis Program Specialist positions within APS units statewide. These specialists will improve crisis response by de-escalating situations, preventing abuse or neglect by providing person-centered care, strengthening investigations, and coordinating with local law enforcement and Dementia Crisis Stabilization Units.
Re-Establish the Dementia Crisis Innovation Grants Program
People living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia have unique needs that often make care delivery and communication more challenging. Due to these circumstances, a statewide crisis response system to support individuals living with dementia is needed in Wisconsin. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state lawmakers to support an annual appropriation of $250,000 to re-establish the Dementia Crisis Innovation Grants program, which will provide crisis responders with tools, training and resources to better understand the unique needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
Wisconsin State Advocacy Day
Join us for State Advocacy Day on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, where passionate advocates from across Wisconsin will come together to raise their voices for better dementia care and support. Expect an inspiring day filled with impactful storytelling, informative training, and meaningful conversations with lawmakers to drive real change for families affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Sign Up to Learn About Advocacy Opportunities in Wisconsin
Find My Chapter
Together, we’re making an impact. Find an Alzheimer’s Association chapter in your community for more ways to engage.
110,900
people living with Alzheimer’s in Wisconsin
205,000
Wisconsinites are providing unpaid care
$777 Million
Medicaid cost of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s (2020)
2,371
deaths from Alzheimer’s in 2021
16%
in hospice with a primary diagnosis of dementia
228.9%
increase of geriatricians in Wisconsin needed to meet the demand in 2050
Resources to Drive Change in Wisconsin
The following resources developed by AIM and the Alzheimer’s Association will help you learn more about the issues impacting people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, how Wisconsin policymakers are addressing these gaps, and how you can help drive change.