Dementia is a devastating and debilitating condition that affects millions of people across the country and in Wisconsin.

There are several causes for dementia, but all have one thing in common: memory loss and other thinking abilities that interfere with daily life. 

The Alzheimer’s Association reports that 7 million people 65-years and older are living with the disease and 2/3 of them are women. In Wisconsin, 120,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s and 111,000 are ages 65 years and older. 

The association reports that one million people are caring for their loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. In Wisconsin, 205,000 people are caregivers. Over the course of a year, those caregivers will provide 297,000,000 hours of care without pay. An estimated value of over $5.5 billion in labor. 

While there is no cure for dementia, there are different mediations available for patients. Clinical trails going on worldwide seek to not only slow the progression, but to prevent dementia and ultimately find the cure. 

Spectrum News’ Abbey Taylor takes a deep dive into the disease in the Badger State by sharing personal stories from people living with the disease, caregivers and what it’s like on the other side of the diagnosis, as well as medical professionals working for a cure on the frontlines.