A new bipartisan state task force on issues related to the prevention and treatment of dementia and Alzheimer's disease will soon begin its work, with a number of public information sessions planned around the state in the coming months.
Robin Vos created the Task Force on Alzheimer’s and Dementia to study and make recommendations on policy initiatives that would improve the care of people with the diseases.
The newly appointed chair of the task force, Rep. Mike Rohrkaste, said dementia affects a large number of Wisconsinites every day, and that thanks to increased life spans, the problem is getting worse.
"This is becoming a very very significant issue, and we really want to focus on making sure that we protect both those individuals (and) their families. We want to focus on care, and then look at how we can improve services that are being provided for these individuals," said Rohrkaste.
He said the task force will be looking at ways employers can help employees manage workloads and caregiving at home.
"That means that companies are going to have to be more sensitive to giving people time off, or at least looking how they can help those individuals … still do their jobs and help care for their aging parents," Rohrkaste said.
While there are a number of resources and toolkits offered by various agencies across the state, Rohrkaste thinks the totality of services may be fragmented.
"I think part of this is just a matter of marrying some of these organizations up — so getting the Department of Health Services and the Aging and Disability Resource Centers to be not only going out and being more proactive in the business world, but also to promote their programs," he said.
As for funding, Rohrkaste doesn’t have a specific dollar amount or commitment.
"I don't think it has to be a lot," he said. "I think with some seed funding, we may be able to develop some programs that can really take off."
Rohrkaste added that he hopes to help the state do better on the preventative side of fighting Alzheimer's.
The exact locations and the timing of the public information sessions have to be determined. Rohrkaste said he hopes to have some recommendations ready by the end of the year.