Assembly Task Force Says Families Need More Help Caring For People With Dementia

A member of the Assembly speaker’s bipartisan task force on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia would like to see more community-based resources to help people remain in their homes.

State Rep. Beth Meyers, D-Bayfield, has been appointed to the task force that will study issues around the disease. She said the cost of care and support for caregivers should top the list.

“It’s a lot more cost-effective to have people remain in their homes,” said Meyers. “What supportive services can we provide that is a lot cheaper than putting someone into a nursing home.”

Rob Gunderman, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin public policy director, said the task force should examine incentives for home care.

“When they’re at home, the vast majority of their care — in some cases all of their care — is provided for free by friends and family,” Gunderman said.

Wisconsin family members provide roughly $2.7 billion worth of home care, according to most recent figures from the Alzheimer’s Association.