Milwaukee, WI – The Alzheimer’s Association thanks Representative Mark Born (R- Beaver Dam), Senator Howard Mark (R-Spring Green) and the members of the Joint Finance Committee for their strong leadership and continued work on two very important budget items that will benefit persons living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias and their caregivers.
“We are very pleased with the actions taken today by the Joint Finance Committee to provide additional support to the more than 120,000 residents of Wisconsin with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Michael Bruhn, Alzheimer’s Association Senior Director of Public Policy. “These cost-effective programs not only improve the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s, they also allow the state to save money as these individuals can remain in the comfort of their own home longer.”
On Tuesday, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) funded an additional 18 dementia care specialist (DCS) positions at County Aging and Disability Resource Centers and seven tribal dementia care specialist positions, to create a statewide DCS program. Expansion of the DCS Program is a cost-effective way to assist individuals with Alzheimer’s to maintain the highest quality of life possible while remaining in their homes. The Committee also increased funding for the Alzheimer’s Family and Caregiver Support Program (AFCSP) by $250,000 annually. The AFCSP assists with funding supports and services necessary to maintain a person with Alzheimer’s in their home such as respite care, adult day care, and transportation.
Bruhn concluded: “We look forward to working with the entire state legislature and Governor Evers to pass these important budget measures into law.”
About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our Mission: the Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia – by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
