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Wisconsin Facts and Figures
Between 2015 and 2040, Wisconsin's population age 65 and older will grow by 640,000 people, an increase of 72%.
In 2015, an estimated 115,000 Wisconsin citizens had Alzheimer's Disease or another dementia. By 2040, that number is estimated to rise to 242,000.
The population is rapidly aging in rural areas, and is most pronounced in the northern half of the state.
Of Wisconsin's 72 counties, 18 are projected to have at least 33% of their total population age 65 and older by 2040, with three estimated to reach 40%.
In 2015, 2,066 people died in Wisconsin from Alzheimer's Disease, the 6th leading cause of death.
Dementia-Capable Wisconsin History
Based on the large number of people affected by Alzheimer's Disease or another kind of dementia, the impact the disease can have and the tremendous cost of providing care, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) decided to embark on a redesign of the system of dementia care. As part of the initial Dementia Care Redesign efforts, the Dementia Care Stakeholder Summit was held in October of
2013. Summit participants, included staff from DHS along with dementia care stakeholders and experts. The result was a Stakeholder Summit Report (DHS P-00563) that was used to create the 2014 Dementia Care System Redesign Plan (DHS P-00586).
The 2014 Redesign Plan identified the need for Wisconsin to develop statewide guiding principles for dementia care and provide additional dementia training opportunities. The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Center for Community Development, Engagement and Training (CCDET) was invited to partner with DHS to develop the Wisconsin Dementia Care Guiding Principles (DHS P01022) that were finalized in May of 2015. In addition, DHS contracted with CCDET to create a series of training courses related to dementia care for crisis responders, caregivers, healthcare providers, family and community members, and other professionals. After receiving stakeholder and subject matter experts' input, CCDET developed and launched online and classroom dementia training on a variety of topics. CCDET also created an online Dementia Training Registry which includes a record of individuals successfully completing each dementia course.
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