Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute

Dementia Care Leaders Intensive

The Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute Dementia Care Leaders Intensive provides tools for enhancing care and services for persons with Alzheimer's disease and their families in local communities. These two-day interactive and educational programs are presented by persons with expertise in dementia care issues and community collaboration. Up to 15 participants are selected for each program site.

Program Objectives:

Discuss current diagnosis, treatment and care of persons with Alzheimer’s disease.
Develop understanding of the impact of the disease on the person and the family and the implications for service throughout this long-term, chronic illness.
Identify shared and individual concerns about services for persons with Alzheimer’s disease.
Explore steps to building collaborative community relationships that can foster the development of services for persons with Alzheimer’s disease.

Participants:

Interested individuals must submit a written application describing their dementia care experience and interest in enhancing, or developing dementia services in their communities.

At the completion of the intensive program, participants are expected to:

Develop and implement an action plan to enhance services and/or care of persons affected by Alzheimer’s disease in the participant’s community.

Develop relationships that will support the participant to take action.

Current schedule:
June 13, 2006, Superior, WI
June 14, 2006, Park Falls, WI
June 15, 2006, Crandon, WI

Applications will be available online near the end of February. Please contact Barbara Lawrence at the WAI, 608-829-3302 or blawrence@wisc.edu if you are interested in applying for the Dementia Care Leaders Intensives.

Previous Intensives were held in Hayward, Antigo, Madison, Tomah and Wisconsin Rapids. Services developed from these intensive programs include: support groups, diagnostic clinics, respite and adult day services, and community education programs.

The Urgency of Our Mission

In the U.S. approximately 5-10% of the population aged 65 and older has AD. In Wisconsin, this number is expected to increase by 58% from 103,000 to 163,000 persons over the next 25 years.

19 million Americans say someone in their family has the disease.

50% of persons with AD are undiagnosed and therefore, untreated.

Families delay seeking help for almost three years after the onset of cognitive symptoms.

50% of nursing home residents have AD or a related disorder.

Family and friends provide almost 75% of home care. Costs for at-home care average $12,500 each year with families paying almost the entire cost out-of-pocket.

About the WAI:

Program Areas:

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About Alzheimer's

Dementia Care Leaders Intensive

The Urgency of Our Mission