Advocates say more needs to be done to make Michigan more capable of helping a rising number of people with dementia.
It’s estimated 190,000 Michiganders over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s.
The Michigan Dementia Coalition released recommendations Wednesday for making Michigan “dementia capable." The Coalition’s report outlines four goals and twenty objectives to improve the quality of dementia care. They want to see dementia declared a public health priority, with more support for community services.
Lisa Dedden Cooper is the co-chair of the Michigan Dementia Coalition. She says their report calls for improving care for people living with dementia and assistance for their caregivers.
“We need to be better prepared as individuals and as the state so that people can continue to have a good quality of life,” says Cooper.
Cooper says money, communication, and an increasing number of older Michiganders with dementia are all critical issues.
