Wisconsin is home to world-class aging research institutions and elder advocacy groups. The state also holds a yearly healthy aging summit and provides many grants for aging-based community services. With a large retiring population and many opportunities for elders in a state clearly dedicated to supporting their aging population, Wisconsin is a great place to retire.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Wisconsin
It is very important to research any facility you may be considering for yourself or your loved ones. You’ll want to know the size of the facility and the rooms it offers, amenities they provide like recreational activities and social gatherings, rates, and more. Use the tool below to compare and research multiple facilities near you.
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Paying For Assisted Living in Wisconsin
The Cost of Assisted Living in Wisconsin
The monthly median cost of assisted living in Wisconsin is $4,300, which is slightly more costly than the national average of $4,000. According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living in Wisconsin is among the most expensive of all the states in the area, with Iowa and Michigan being the least costly.
The average cost of assisted living varies widely across the state. The La Crosse area is most affordable by far, at only $2,638 a month on average, followed by Fond du Lac at $3,744. The rest of the state stays around the national average, though the Wausau, Sheboygan, and Racine are much higher and the Oshkosh area averages the highest at $5,000 a month.
The cost of assisted living in Wisconsin is about half the price of nursing home care, which averages at $8,334 a month. It is most affordable to live completely independently, but for those that need in-home care or memory care, costs are very close to the price of assisted living, which is the least expensive option.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Wisconsin
Assisted Living Medicaid Waivers
Wisconsin has Medicaid waivers available for home and community based care such as services received while in assisted living facilities. These waivers are now available in all 72 counties, without waiting lists for eligible participants.
IRIS Self-Directed Support Waiver
IRIS stands for Include, Respect, I Self-Direct and it provides a means for every resident that needs nursing home level care is able to decide their care providers, living environment and personal care services within an individual budget. Participants create personal care plans with the help of their caseworker, care team and a nurse that will re-evaluate the plan at least once a year. This waiver is for people who would like to self-direct their care as much as possible, and are not residents of assisted living facilities.
Family Care Waiver
The Family Care Medicaid waiver is for the frail elderly (meaning age 65 and older and in need of help with activities of daily living) who need financial assistance paying for long-term care services. This waiver may pay for room and board in a Medicaid certified community-based residential facility (CBRF) or residential care apartment complex (RCAC). Participating facilities are bound to strict resident rights regulations, such as required space and transportation services.
Who is Eligible?
Waivers for long-term care funding are created for participants who would otherwise need nursing home care. Applicants must qualify for Medicaid to be eligible the waiver. To qualify for long-term care coverage through Medicaid, Wisconsin citizens must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Applicants must be legal US citizens or resident aliens, and residents of the state.
- Monthly income limits are set at 300% of the federal SSI standard, which is a total of $2,313 for an individual and $3,471 for a married couple in 2019.
- Total assets cannot exceed $2,000, or $3,000 for a couple. Community spouse laws may apply that allow for protection of some assets, like houses with equities valued between $585,000 and $878,000. An eligible spouse may have other income guidelines and some asset protection.
- The applicants need to be age 65 and older, or disabled.
How to Apply
To find out if the Medicaid waivers are right for you and your loved ones, and what you are eligible for, contact the Wisconsin Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) or your Medicaid worker.
More Ways to Finance Assisted Living
Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
- Veterans Benefits: Veterans can take advantage of several different pension programs to help cover the cost of assisted living. For more information, see the article on benefits.va.gov.
- Life Insurance Policies: Even if a spouse or loved one hasn’t died, certain types of life insurance policies can be used to pay for assisted living. More information is available at longtermcare.acl.gov
- Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance policy that pays for long-term care when it becomes necessary, including the cost of assisted living. For more information on the benefits and drawbacks of this financing method, visit longtermcare.acl.gov.
- Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages allow seniors to access the equity from a home that they own, and these funds can be used to pay for assisted living. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a federally insured reverse mortgage program.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Wisconsin
Elder Tax Counseling and Preparation Assistance
The state partners with the IRS and the AARP to provide free tax counseling and filing assistance for elders. Interested elders can also volunteer their time to help others with tax questions and preparation. Visit the Wisconsin elder tax assistance website or call (608) 266-2486 to find a participating tax preparation site.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) program provides free advocacy and counseling to residents over age 60, caretakers, and loved ones of consumers of long-term care facilities in Wisconsin. You can see the name of your area Ombudsman here, e-mail, or call 1-800-815-0015 to speak with an Ombudsman for services like:
- Investigation of complaints against long-term care services (complaint form).
- Resolution and mediation of issues regarding long-term care, and bringing in enforcement agencies where necessary.
- Information and education on long-term care facilities, resident rights, and abuse reporting and prevention.
Wisconsin Area Agencies on Aging
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) is a network of hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the country that provide federally and locally funded services to adults over 60 in their areas. Wisconsin has many Area Agencies on Aging that provide free resources to seniors and serve as entry points to long-term care assistance like Medicaid waiver guidance and long-term care advocacy.
In many areas of Wisconsin, the Aging and Disability Resource Centers serve as the AAA for the region. See the table below to find the nearest AAA point of contact.
Area Agency on Aging | Address | Phone Number |
---|---|---|
Main Office | 1414 MacArthur Rd, Ste A Madison, WI 53714 |
(608) 243-5670 |
Green Bay Office | 201 W. Walnut St, Ste 204 Green Bay, WI 54303 |
(608) 243-5670 |
Brookfield Office | 125 N. Executive Dr., Ste. 207 Brookfield, WI 53005 |
(608) 243-5670 |
Tribal Technical Assistance Center | P.O. Box 9 Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538 |
(800) 472-7207 |
Buffalo County Dept of Health Human Services | 407 S. 2nd St. Alma, WI 54610-0517 |
(608) 685-6317 |
Adam’s County ADRC | 569 North Cedar Street, Suite #4 Adams, WI 53910 |
(608) 339-4251 or (877) 883-5378 |
Ashland County Aging Unit | 400 Chapple Ave., Suite 100 Ashland WI 54806 |
(715) 682-4414 ext. 4 |
Barron County Office On Aging | 335 E. Monroe Ave, Room 112 Barron, WI 54812 |
(715) 537-6244 or (888) 535-3031 |
Bayfield County ADRC | 117 East 5th St. Washburn WI 54891 |
(715) 373-6144 ext 174 or (866) 663-3607 |
ADRC of Brown County | 300 S. Adams St. Green Bay, WI 54301 |
(920) 448-4300 |
ADRC of Northwest Wisconsin | 7410 County Road K, Suite 180 Siren, WI 54872 |
(715) 349-2100 |
ADRC of Calumet County | 206 Court St. Chilton, WI 53014 |
(920) 849-1451 or (866) 739-2372 |
ADRC of Chippewa County | 711 N. Bridge St., #118 Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 |
(715) 726-7777 or (888) 400-6920 |
ADRC of Clark County | 517 Court St., #201 Neillsville, WI 54456 |
(715) 743-5144 or (866) 743-5144 |
ADRC of Columbia County | 111 Mullett St Portage, WI 53901-0136 |
(608) 742-9233 or (888) 742-9233 |
ADRC of Eagle Country | 225 North Beaumont Rd Prairie Du Chien, WI 53821 |
(608) 326-0235 |
Area Agency on Aging of Dane County | 2865 N. Sherman Avenue Madison WI 53704 |
(608) 261-9930 |
ADRC of Dodge County | 199 County Rd. DF Juneau, WI 53039 |
(920) 386-3580 or (800) 924-6407 |
Door County Senior Resource Center | 832 N 14th Ave. Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 |
(920) 746-2372 or (855) 828-2372 |
Douglas County Government Center | 1316 North 14th St. Superior, WI 54880 |
(715) 395-1234 or (866) 946-2372 |
ADRC of Dunn County | 3001 US Hwy 12 E, Ste 160 Menomonie, WI 54751 |
(715) 232-4006 |
ADRC of Eau Claire County | 721 Oxford Ave., #1550 Eau Claire, WI 54703 |
(715) 839-4735 or (888) 338-4636 |
ADRC of Florence County | 501 Lake Ave Florence, WI 54121 |
(715) 528-4890 or (888) 528-2372 |
Fond Du Lac Dept. of Senior Services | 160 South Macy St. Fond Du Lac, WI 54935 |
(920) 929-3113 or (800) 215-5494 |
Forest County Office on Aging | 200 E Madison St Crandon WI 54520 |
(715) 478-3256 |
ADRC of Grant County | 8829 South Hwy 35/61 Lancaster, WI 53813 |
(608) 723-6113 or (800) 514-0066 |
ADRC of Green County | N3152 State Road 81 Monroe, WI 53566 |
(608) 328-9499 or (877) 794-2372 |
Green Lake County DHHS Aging Unit | 571 County Rd A, PO Box 588 Green Lake, WI 54941 |
(877) 883-5378 or (920) 294-4070 |
ADRC of Iowa County | 303 W. Chapel St. Dodgeville, WI 53533 |
(608) 930-9835 or (877) 794-2372 |
ADRC of Iron County | 300 Taconite St, Suite 201 Hurley, WI 54534 |
(715) 561-3636 or (866) 663-3607 |
ADRC of Jackson County | 420 Hwy 54 West Black River Falls, WI 54615 |
(715) 284-4301 ext. 353 or (844) 493-4245 |
ADRC of Jefferson County | 1541 Annex Road Jefferson, WI 53549 |
(920) 674-8734 or (866) 740-2372 |
Juneau County ADRC | 220 Hickory St. Mauston, WI 53948 |
(608) 847-9371 |
ADRC of Kenosha County | 8600 Sheridan Road #500 Kenosha, WI 53143 |
(262) 605-6646 or (800) 472-8008 |
ADRC of the Lakeshore | 810 Lincoln St. Kewaunee, WI 54216 |
(877) 416-7083 |
ADRC of La Crosse County | 300 4th St. North La Crosse, WI 54601 |
(608) 785-5700 or (800) 500-3910 |
ADRC of Lafayette County | 627 Main St. Darlington, WI 53530 |
(608) 776-4960 |
ADRC of Langlade County | 2600 Stewart Ave., Suite 25 Wausau, WI 54401 |
(715) 261-6070 or (888) 486-9545 |
ADRC of Lincoln County | 1000 Lake View Dr. Wausau, WI 54403 |
(715) 536-0311 or (888) 486-9545 |
Manitowoc County ADRC | 1701 Michigan Ave. Manitowoc, WI 54220 |
(877) 416-7083 |
ADRC of Marathon County | 2600 Steward Ave., Suite 25 Wausau WI 54401 |
(715) 261-6070 or (888) 486-9545 |
Marinette County Elderly Services | PO Box 456 Crivitz, WI 54114-0456 |
(715) 854-7453 or (800) 990-4242 |
ADRC of Marquette County | 428 Underwood Ave. Montello, WI 53949 |
(608) 297-3124 |
Menominee County / Tribal Aging Division | N 2222 White Cedar Keshena, WI 54135 |
(715) 799-5271 |
Milwaukee County Dept on Aging | 1220 W. Vliet St., Suite 302 Milwaukee WI 53205 |
(414) 289-5950 or (866) 229-9695 |
ADRC of Monroe County | 315 West Oak Street Sparta, WI 54656 |
(888) 339-7854 |
Oconto County Commission on Aging | 1210 Main St. Oconto, WI 54153 |
(920) 834-7707 or (800) 649-6568 |
Oneida County Department on Aging | 100 W Keenan St. Rhinelander, WI 54501 |
(715) 369-6170 or (800) 379-7499 |
ADRC of Outagamie County | 320 S. Walnut St. Appleton, WI 54911-5985 |
(920) 832-5178 |
ADRC of Ozaukee County | 121 W. Main St. Port Washington, WI 53074 |
(262) 284-8120 |
Pepin County Human Services Aging Unit | 740 7th Ave. West Durand, WI 54736 |
(715) 672-8941 |
ADRC of Pierce County | 412 W. Kinne St Ellsworth, WI 54011 |
(715) 273-6780 or (877) 273-0804 |
Polk County ADRC | 100 Polk CO Plaza, #60 Balsam Lake, WI 54810 |
(715) 485-8449 |
ADRC of Portage County | 1519 Water St. Stevens Point, WI 54481 |
(715) 346-1401 or (866) 920-2525 |
ADRC of Price County | 104 S Eyder Ave. Phillips, WI 54555 |
(715) 339-5238 |
ADRC of Racine County | 14200 Washington Ave. Sturtevant, WI 53177 |
(262) 833-8777 or (866) 219-1043 |
ADRC of Eagle Country, Richland County | 221 W Seminary St. Richland Center, WI 53581 |
(608) 647-4616 |
Rock County Council on Aging | 51 S Main St. Janesville, WI 53545 |
(608) 757-5472 |
Rusk County Senior Services | 311 E Miner AVE #C260 Ladysmith WI 54848 |
(715) 532-2176 |
ADRC of Eagle Country – Sauk County | 505 Broadway Baraboo, WI 53913 |
(608) 355-3289 or (877) 794-2372 |
ADRC of the North – Sawyer County | 10610 Main St. Hayward, WI 54843 |
(866) 663-3607 |
Shawano County Aging Unit | 607 E Elizabeth St Shawano WI 54166 |
(715) 526-4700 |
Sheboygan ADRC | 650 Forest Ave. Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085 |
(920) 467-4100 or (800) 596-1919 |
St Croix County ADRC | 1752 Dorset Lane New Richmond, WI 54017 |
(715) 381-4360 or (800) 372-2333 |
ADRC of the Northwoods, Taylor County | 845B East Broadway Ave. Medford, WI 54451 |
(800) 699-6704 |
ADRC of Trempealeau County | 36245 Main St. Whitehall, WI 54773 |
(715) 538-2001 or (800) 273-2001 |
ADRC of Vernon County | 402 Courthouse Square Viroqua, WI 54665 |
(608) 637-5201 or (888) 637-1323 |
Vilas County Commission on Aging | 330 Court St Eagle River, WI 54521 |
(715) 479-3625 or (800) 374-1123 |
Walworth County Aging Unit | W4051 County Road NN Elkhorn, WI 53121 |
(262) 741-3400 or (800) 365-1587 |
Washburn County Unit on Aging | 850 W. Beaverbrook Ave, Ste 4 Spooner, WI 54801 |
(715) 635-4460 or (888) 538-3031 |
ADRC of Washington County | 333 E Washington St., #1000 West Bend, WI 53095 |
(262) 335-4497 |
ADRC of Waupaca County | 811 Harding St Waupaca, WI 54981 |
(715) 258-6400 or (800) 739-2372 |
ADRC of Waukesha County | 514 Riverview Ave. Waukesha, WI 53188 |
(262) 548-7848 or (866) 677-2372 |
Waushara County Dept of Aging Services | 209 S Ste Marie St Wautoma, WI 54982 |
(920) 787-0403 or (877) 364-5344 |
Winnebago County Elderly Services | 220 Washington Ave. Oshkosh, WI 54903 |
(877) 886-2372 |
ADRC of Central Wisconsin, Wood County | 1000 Lake View Dr Wausau, WI 54403 |
(262) 548-7848 or (866) 677-2372 |
Bad River Tribal Aging Program | 53508 Nokomis Road Odanah, WI 54806 |
(715) 682-7150 |
Forest County Potawatomi Elderly Dept | 5450 Kak Yot Lane Crandon, WI 54520 |
(715) 478-4892 |
Ho Chunk Tribal Aging Unit | W8825 Decorah Road Black River Falls, WI 54615 |
(888) 701-8284 |
Lac Courte Oreilles Elderly Reserve Site | 13878 W Agency Road Stone Lake WI 54876 |
(715) 957-0027 |
Lac Du Flambeau Tribe Aging Services | 125 Old Abe Rd/Hwy 47 Lac Du Flambeau, WI 54538 |
(715) 588-4388 |
Stockbridge Munsee Elder Center | N8651 Maplewood St. Bowler WI 54416 |
(715) 793-4236 |
Menominee Tribe Aging Division | N2222 White Cedar Road Keshena, WI 54135 |
(715) 799-5240 |
Oneida Tribe Elder Services | 2907 S Overland Road Oneida, WI 54155 |
(920) 869-2448 or (800) 867-1551 |
Red Cliff Elderly Services Program | 88385 Pike Road, Hwy 13 Bayfield, WI 54814 |
(715) 779-3706 |
Sokaogon Chippewa Elder Services | 3154 State Hwy 55 Crandon, WI 54520 |
(715) 478-7629 |
St. Croix Tribal Aging Unit | 24663 Angeline Ave. Webster, WI 54893 |
(800) 236-2195 ext. 5116 |
Veterans Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs in Wisconsin provides many services for eligible veterans, including:
- Veterans benefit counseling and assistance
- Three 24-hour skilled nursing care homes for veterans (with waitlists)
- A one-time occupational licensing fee waiver
- Free and reduced prices on hunting and fishing licenses, and trail passes
- A Wisconsin resident GI bill for eligible veterans and surviving dependents, separate from the federal bill, for use at over 200 educational institutions and 350 apprenticeship or training programs statewide
- Property tax credits for veterans and eligible spouses
- Three state cemeteries for veterans and burial assistance may be available
- Designer license plates customized for over service 50 medals
See the listings below to find your nearest VA office to apply for benefits.
VA Office | Address | Phone Number |
---|---|---|
Veterans Benefits Resource Center | 201 W. Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703 |
(608) 266-1311 or (800) 947-8387 |
WDVA Claims Assistance Office | 5400 W. National Ave., Room 157 Milwaukee, WI 53214 |
(414) 902-5757 |
American Ex-Prisoners of War | 805 Glenview Drive Madison, WI 53716 |
(608) 222-2622 |
Blinded Veterans Association of WI | 5400 W. National Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53214 |
(414) 382-5220 |
Disabled American Veterans | 5400 W. National Ave., Rm. 162 Milwaukee, WI 53214 |
(414) 902-5736 |
Ho-Chunk Nation VSO | PO Box 667 Black River Falls, WI 54615 |
(800) 294-9343 |
Military Order of the Purple Heart | 5400 W. National Ave., Rm. 159 Milwaukee, WI 53214 |
(414) 902-5742 |
National Association for Black Veterans | PO Box 11432 Milwaukee, WI 53211 |
(414) 342-5000 |
Oneida Nation Veterans Service Officer | 2615 S. Packerland Dr., Suite C Oneida, WI 54155 |
(920) 490-3921 |
Paralyzed Veterans of America | 5400 W. National Ave., Rm. 168 Milwaukee, WI 53214 |
(414) 902-5655 |
Veterans of Foreign Wars | 5400 W. National Ave., Rm. 166 Milwaukee, WI 53214 |
(414) 902-5748 |
Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa | 73430 US Hwy. 2 Odanah, WI 54681 |
(715) 685-9461 |
Forest County Potawatomi | 5416 Everybody’s Road Crandon, WI 54520 |
(715) 478-7200 |
Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa | 13878 W. North Agency Road Stone Lake, WI 54876 |
(715) 957-0077 |
Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa | 409 Little Pines Road Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538 |
(715) 588-4174 |
Menominee Nation & Menominee County | W3191 Fredenburg Drive Keshena, WI 54135 |
(715) 799-3729 |
Oneida Nation Benefits Office | 134 Riverdale Drive Oneida, WI 54155 |
(920) 869-1133 |
Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Benefits Office | 88385 Pike Road Red Cliff, WI 54814 |
(715) 779-3700 |
St. Croix Tribe Benefits Office | 24663 Angeline Ave. Webster, WI 54893 |
(715) 416-3580 |
Sokaogon Chippewa Community Benefits Office | 3051 Sand Lake Road Crandon, WI 54520 |
(715) 478-6441 |
Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians Benefits Office | W12180A County Rd. A Bowler, WI 54416 |
(715) 793-4944 |
Social Security Offices
Call or visit your local Social Security Administration office to find out about potential retirement benefits, disability, medical coverage or for questions about federal programs for elders. Go online or call (800) 772-1213 to speak to a representative.
Wisconsin Senior Centers
There are many senior centers in Wisconsin which offer a variety of services, such as:
- Communal and home-delivered meals
- Art and jewelry making classes, as well as outdoor activities like senior hikes.
- Exercise, yoga and balance-improvement programs
- Foot care, massage, blood pressure monitoring, and other healthcare clinics
- Scheduled games like bingo, poker and pinochle, and free use game rooms, libraries, and computer labs
- Community events like holiday parties, bake sales, and craft fairs, and cultural activities like trips to museums, parks, and historical sites
- Durable medical equipment (DME) like wheelchairs and hearing aids to borrow
- Senior service specialists to counsel and enroll eligible seniors in local programs like Meals on Wheels, senior food boxes, food pantries, and clothing closets
See this list of senior centers in Wisconsin that have websites. Click and find the activities calendars to see more about the programs they offer and what their fees might be, as well as the minimum age for services (usually 60 in Wisconsin). Call your local Area Agency on Aging to find senior centers that aren’t on this list as well as to find more aging resources.
Senior Center | Address | Phone Number |
---|---|---|
Middleton Senior Citizen Center | 7448 Hubbard Ave Middleton, WI 53562 |
(608) 831-2373 |
Waunakee Senior Center | 333 S Madison St Waunakee, WI 53597 |
(608) 849-8385 |
Germantown Senior Activity Center | N112 W17001 Mequon Road Germantown, WI 53022 |
(262) 250-4700 |
Kenosha Senior Center | 2717 67th St Kenosha, WI 53143 |
(262) 359-6260 |
West Allis Senior Center | 7001 W National Ave Milwaukee, WI 53214 |
(414) 302-8700 |
Janesville Senior Center | 69 S Water St Janesville, WI 53545 |
(608) 755-3040 |
Madison Senior Center | 330 W Mifflin St Madison, WI 53703 |
(608) 266-6581 |
Watertown Senior Citizens Center | 514 S 1st St Watertown, WI 53094 |
(920) 262-8099 |
Monona Senior Center | 1011 Nichols Rd Monona, WI 53716 |
(608) 222-3415 |
Fitchburg Senior Center | 5510 Lacy Rd Fitchburg, WI 53711 |
(608) 270-4290 |
Stoughton Area Senior Center | 248 W Main St #1 Stoughton, WI 53589 |
(608) 873-8585 |
West Madison Senior Center | 5724 Raymond Rd Madison, WI 53711 |
(608) 238-7368 |
Brookfield Senior Community | 2000 N Calhoun Rd Brookfield, WI 53005 |
(262) 796-6675 |
Oregon Area Senior Center | 219 Park St Oregon, WI 53575 |
(608) 835-5801 |
Platteville Senior Center & PEAK Program | 155 W Lewis St Platteville, WI 53818 |
(608) 348-9934 |
Cedarburg Senior Center | Ozaukee Interurban Trail Cedarburg, WI 53012 |
(262) 375-7644 |
Behring Senior Center | 1113 10th St Monroe, WI 53566 |
(608) 325-3173 |
McGovern Park Senior Center | 4500 W Custer Ave Milwaukee, WI 53218 |
(414) 527-0990 |
Verona Senior Center | 108 Paoli St. Verona, WI 53593 |
(608) 845-7471 |
Seniors In The Park | 504 W Starin Rd Whitewater, WI 53190 |
(262) 473-0535 |
Grinnell Senior Center | 631 Bluff St Beloit, WI 53511 |
(608) 364-2875 |
Grafton Multipurpose Senior Center | 1665 7th Ave Grafton, WI 53024 |
(262) 375-5311 |
Sugar River Senior Center | 21 S Vine St Belleville, WI 53508 |
(608) 424-6007 |
Burlington Senior Center | 201 N Main St Burlington, WI 53105 |
(262) 767-9880 |
Baraboo Area Senior Center | 124 2nd St #24 Baraboo, WI 53913 |
(608) 356-8464 |
The Colonial Club | 301 Blankenheim Ln Sun Prairie, WI 53590 |
(608) 837-4611 |
Sussex Village Senior Center | N64W23760 Main Street Sussex, WI 53089 |
(262) 246-5200 |
Columbus Senior Citizens Center | “125 N Dickason Blvd Columbus, WI 53925 |
(920) 623-5918 |
Waupun Senior Center | 301 E Main St Waupun, WI 53963 |
(920) 324-7930 |
Rock County Golden Diners Dining Sites | Multiple Sites Across Rock County | (608) 757-5474 |
Westosha Senior Center | 19200 93rd St Bristol, WI 53104 |
(262) 891-3436 |
Washington Park Senior Center | 4420 W Vliet St Milwaukee, WI 53208 |
(414) 933-2332 |
Port Washington Senior Center | 403 W Foster St Port Washington, WI 53074 |
(262) 284-5821 |
Mount Horeb Senior Center | 107 N Grove St Mt Horeb, WI 53572 |
(608) 437-6902 |
North Eastside Senior Coalition | 1625 Northport Dr Madison, WI 53704 |
(608) 243-5252 |
Grobschmidt Senior Center | 2424 15th Ave South Milwaukee, WI 53172 |
(414) 768-8045 |
United Community Senior Center
Has Latino staff and activities |
1028 South 9th Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204 |
(414) 384-3100 |
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, assisted living is delivered in a community-based residential facility (CBRF). These facilities offer the lowest level of assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), providing no more than three hours of care a week. There are many facilities in Wisconsin designed for elders who want to remain in their chosen community as they age but will need more access to services as they become increasingly frail. A CBRF may contain wings called residential care apartment complexes (RCAC), designed for residents with higher care needs, which can provide up to 28 hours of care a week. RCACs can operate independently as well as within a CBRF.
Assisted Living Admission Requirements
To be a resident of a CBRF, a person may need personal care services but for no more than three hours a week. The CBRF may admit a wider range of residents, such as the developmentally disabled or mentally ill as well as the elderly and those with dementia. No assisted living facility is able to extend residency to someone who is unable to evacuate on their own in the case of an emergency.
Requirements differ for admission to an RCAC. These facilities are designed for those that need higher levels of care but are not:
- Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia
- Incapacitated from making their own decisions
- In need of in-depth health monitoring
People who fall into this category may move in with their spouses, as long as their spouses hold legal responsibility.
Assisted Living Scope of Care
Assisted living facilities must provide their residents with:
- Three regularly scheduled meals daily served restaurant or family style, and full access to snacks at all times, and accommodate any residents special diet wishes or physician prescribed diet. There are strict requirements for kitchen safety and food preparation hygiene in facilities as well.
- A clean, odor-free and home-like apartment that is decorated and fully furnished, unless the resident wishes to provide their own furniture.
- Clean and well-maintained laundry facilities.
The CBRF is for residents who currently need a low level of personal care but want to enjoy the other benefits of communal living like family dining and chore assistance. As more services are required, many facilities offer a residential care apartment complex (RCAC) within the community to provide residents the opportunity to increase their care services without moving from their chosen homes. An RCAC is for residents who may initially only need four hours of care per week, but will eventually need up to 28. Personal care services include:
- Supportive services like housekeeping, transportation, and recreational activities
- Personal assistance with activities of daily living (ADL)
- Nursing services such as medication management and administration
- Emergency assistance available 24 hours a day
There is no limit to the hours of personal care a resident can receive from friends and family, or for those under hospice care. A resident who experiences an injury or sudden illness may utilize more than 28 hours of care a week and stay in the facility as long as the condition lasts no longer than 90 days.
Assisted Living Medicaid Policy
While Wisconsin Medicaid doesn’t directly cover the costs of assisted living, it does provide assisted living waivers for the elderly and disabled residents who qualify under age, income, and other restrictions. The Family Care program provides funding for eligible seniors to live in a community-based residential facility (CBRF) or certified residential care apartment complex (RCAC). This program has recently expanded to all 72 counties as of 2018, without waitlists.
Assisted Living Community Requirements
All residents of assisted living in Wisconsin are entitled to their own private apartments, complete with individual living and sleeping areas, restrooms, and kitchen areas. A CBRF may contain between 5 and 257 apartments, while a higher care-level providing RCAC can have between 5 and 109 individual apartments.
Assisted Living Service Agreements
Residents of residential care apartment complex (RCAC) communities in Wisconsin need to complete a service agreement and a risk agreement by the move-in date. The service agreement outlines services that a resident would be provided in the facility and their associated costs, as well as additional services that could be provided to the tenant. Facilities must also specify how they notify their resident’s of changes in fees in this contract. The service agreementdetails the activities and social connections that the facility will assist the resident in maintaining.
The risk agreement is a document that outlines any situation in which a resident would desire a course of action that is contrary to facility policy. In an effort to maximize resident free will, any possible adverse scenario needs to be outlined in advance in a risk agreement to ensure that the facility is respecting the resident’s wishes at all times, regardless of policy. One example that could be negotiated in a risk contract is mobility devices, such as the preference of a cane over a walker; even though a facility might find a walker safer, a resident could choose a cane.
A community based residential facility (CBRF) has an admissions agreement the includes the information found in a service agreement as well as tenant information. Information needed includes security deposits required, policies regarding holding rooms while residents are away, refunds, and move-out notification policies.
Medication Management Regulations
Residents in assisted living in Wisconsin must have a prescriber’s orders for any medication and list that medication in their service plans. A registered nurse may assist in taking or give medication to a resident, and it also must be documented in their plans if they are receiving assistance with medication. If there are residents that take psychotropic medications living in an assisted living facility, the residential care staff must be trained in the side effects of that medication and that resident needs their medication assessed quarterly.
Wisconsin Assisted Living Staffing Requirements
The facility manager must be present from at least 7 am to 7 pm if residents are present, and 24 hours a day for larger facilities. The facility manager must have at least two years of experience or a degree in healthcare. In an RCAC, there must always be a staff manager awake and available to help residents with whatever needs may arise. This person determines the staffing requirements for the facility.
Licensed caregivers must be at least 21 years old and pass all background check requirements, but resident care staff need only be 18 years old. All staff are screened annually for transmittable diseases including tuberculosis. All residential care community employees have an individual file with all employment, training, background check, and screening information.
Assisted Living Staff Training Requirements
Generally, the facilities that manage direct care staff are responsible for providing training programs for all employees in the facility. Personal care services are provided by licensed providers like the resident’s nurse. All employees of a community-based residential facility (CBRF) must be trained within 90 days of employment in:
- First aid, CPR, and other safety training
- Fire prevention, control, and evacuation policies
- Any service that they are employed to provide
Care staff in residential care apartment complexes (RCACs) are required to be trained in the any area before providing care, or be supervised while working. Personal care services that require training include:
- Medication management if the employee will help with medication.
- Bathing, grooming, dressing, and skin care
- Transferring and walking
- Exercising
- Meal preparation and eating
Nurses and administrators are held to higher standards, requiring a nursing license and a nursing home administrator license, respectively.
Background Checks
The state requires that all administrators, operators, healthcare staff and any applicant over the age of 18 to a direct care position submit to a thorough background check, even in the case of temporary employment. This check must be done at the time of application as well as every four years, with inquiries to:
- The Department of Justice criminal history database
- The caregiver and nurse aide misconduct registry
- The state child welfare database containing all reports of neglect and abuse against children in Wisconsin
If the prospective caregiver is a new (within the past three years) resident of Wisconsin, they are also required to submit to an FBI fingerprint database check. Licensed healthcare workers and administrators are also searched for in the Department of Safety and Professional Services for adverse findings.
No one convicted of a serious crime may be licensed to operate an assisted living facility. A fine of up to $1,000 can be imposed if a person intentionally neglects to inform a facility of their convictions. All caregivers found to have violent, neglectful or otherwise abusive activity in their background checks are placed on the lifetime caregiver misconduct registry and are required to provide information about the convictions and their rehabilitation efforts to their resident clients and/or client’s families.
Requirements for Reporting Abuse
Community-based residential facilities (CBRF) and residential care apartment complexes (RCAC) are required to meet the care needs of the people that live there, as well as all unscheduled needs and 24-hour security. While a CBRF is licensed by the state, An RCAC may be either registered or certified. Certified RCACs are eligible for Medicaid payments, are inspected and complaints are investigated. A registered RCAC must only investigate complaints, they aren’t inspected and, as such, can’t accept Medicaid.
In the event that a facility doesn’t abide by their responsibilities, you can contact the Long-Term Care Consumers board, or the Long-Term Care Ombudsman to help find a resolution. To report an issue with a caregiver or nurse aide, call 608-243-2019 or visit the caregiver complaint submission website.
To report abuse or yourself or a loved one, please call the Wisconsin’s Victim Resource Center at 1-800-446-6564.
Wisconsin COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities
Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/15/22. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your assisted living facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.
COVID-19 Rules in Wisconsin | |
---|---|
Are loved ones allowed to visit residents in their assisted living community? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
Are residents required to quarantine after their loved ones visit? | No |
Are loved ones required to wear masks when visiting residents? | Yes |
Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors allowed in assisted living communities? | Yes |
Are visitors screened for elevated temperatures before entering the assisted living community? | Yes |
Are residents allowed to leave the assisted living community for non-medical reasons? | Not Available* |
Are residents who leave required to quarantine when they get back to the assisted living community? | Not Available* |
Are assisted living communities required to cancel all group outings? | Yes |
Are assisted living communities allowed to host group activities within the community? | No |
Are staff members regularly checked for elevated temperatures? | Yes |
Are staff members regularly tested for COVID-19? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
Are residents regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms? | Yes |
Are residents regularly checked for elevated temperatures? | Yes |
Are residents regularly tested for COVID-19? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
Sources: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov www.cms.gov
*Note: This information was not available for this state, contact your local area agency on aging or senior living facility for more information.
Learn More About the Best Assisted Living Communities in Wisconsin's Top Cities
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