Wisconsin DHS Planning Dementia Care System Redesign

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is planning to redesign dementia care services in the state to fill gaps in the system of care. The redesign is in response to a 2012 ruling by the State Supreme Court, which said people with Alzheimer’s disease should not be subject to involuntary civil commitment for challenging behaviors. Involuntary civil commitment statutes are used to confine people experiencing a mental health crisis; the court said challenging behaviors due to dementia are not a qualifying mental health disorder. Following the ruling, the DHS Division of Long-Term Care formed Dementia Care Stakeholder . . .