Lawmakers Honored For Caregiving Efforts

To recognize their support of family caregivers across Wisconsin, two State Representatives – Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah) and Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) – were recently honored with AARP awards as 2016 “Capitol Caregivers.”

Rep. Rohrkaste served as chairman of the Speakers Task Force on Alzheimer’s and Dementia, while Rep. Hesselbein served as vice chair. Both were honored for their work on respite care and advancing legislation that significantly increased services that allow family caregivers to get some relief from their caregiving responsibilities.

This is a wonderful example of the role the government can play in making the lives of Wisconsin caregivers easier. The task force came together and listened to the voices of people suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia and their caregivers. After assessing the needs of these vulnerable citizens, they made recommendations that resulted in the expansion of programs to help provide respite for family caregivers and help for patients in crisis.

We were proud to work with Reps. Rohrkaste and Hesselbein, and we applaud the outcome of their hard work. These leaders are helping the family caregivers who make it possible for older Wisconsinites to live independently in their homes and communities, which is where they want to be.

Nearly 600,000 Wisconsinites provide unpaid care for their older parents, spouses, and other loved ones – a contribution valued at about $7 billion annually. They help with bathing and dressing, meal preparation, managing finances, transportation, grocery shopping and more. Many even perform medical tasks like wound care, injections, and complex medication management.

Family caregivers are the backbone of our Wisconsin care system. They need our support. Respite relief is a first step to providing a little bit of help for these caregivers. In 2017 and beyond, AARP will continue to fight for more support, including help at home, workplace flexibility, training, relief and more.”