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Projections for the Dementia Population

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), in 2015, there were an estimated 115,000 people living in the state with dementia. The dementia may be as a result of Alzheimer’s Disease, which is now the sixth greatest cause of death in the nation, or another medical condition. By 2040, that amount is expected to rise to an estimated 242,000. This is in large part due to the fact that the population of individuals aged 65 and older will increase 72% between 2015 and 2040, adding 640,000 people to the current population. This means that by 2040, 33% of the individuals in 18 Wisconsin counties will be over the age of 65. This aging population increase will be most prevalent in rural areas and the northern half of the state.

As a result of the expected drastic increase in dementia patients over the next few decades, DHS is taking steps to create a plan that will provide better services to people living with dementia in the state of Wisconsin. DHS also has a particular duty to increase the level and quality of services for individuals living with dementia who also qualify for Medicaid, which currently constitutes about 30,000 people. In addition to this redesign of DHS dementia services, Governor Scott also signed three bills into law last year that will benefit those living with dementia. One bill created a county-based dementia crisis unit pilot program. Another bill allocated an additional $1 million to the state’s Alzheimer’s family and caregiver support program, and the final bill created state grants for dementia training for county crisis teams.

Developing dementia is only one of the many situations that can lead to abuse or neglect by caregivers. If you or a loved one is seriously injured as a result of elder abuse, or your family has suffered the loss of a loved one due to negligence by nursing home or assisted living facility staff, you may be entitled to compensation. This inquiry involves determining which party or entity was at fault for the accident, acted negligently, or otherwise caused the incident that led to your injuries or your loved one’s death. At Boller & Vaughan, our Madison assisted living facility and nursing home elder abuse lawyers can help you with these determinations, and support you through any personal injury or wrongful death claims that you may have.