What You Need to Know About Assisted Living in Facilities in Wisconsin

When families need to consider assisted living or long-term care for a loved one, it is hard to know where to start. How do you know if the place you select will provide the care your loved one needs? How much will it cost? What is the admissions process?

At PKSD, we understand families often have a lot of questions and few answers. Below we share some key insights about the different types of assisted living facilities available in Wisconsin.

Worried about the care a loved one is receiving in his or her nursing home? If so, request a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable nursing home abuse attorneys in Milwaukee. This meeting is confidential and completely free.

There is no obligation and no upfront costs. Call: 414-333-3333 today.

Understanding Assisted Living in Wisconsin: A Comprehensive Guide

Wisconsin’s assisted living landscape is fairly diverse. There are more than 4,000 facilities and 60,000 beds available across the state. This guide aims to provide a high-level overview of the options provided.

Types of Assisted Living Facilities

Of the thousands of options for long-term care in Wisconsin, assisted living facilities can be categorized into three main types:

• Community-based residential facilities: These are the most common type of assisted living facility, catering well to older adults and people living with dementia. Community-based residential facilities provide up to three hours of nursing care per resident per week. On average, community-based residential facilities house a total of 22 residents.
• Residential care apartment complexes: Designed for more independent living, these facilities offer apartment-style units with access to 24/7 emergency services. They can provide residents with up to 28 hours of supportive, personal and nursing services weekly.
• Licensed adult family homes: Licensed adult family homes are smaller, typically serving individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses or traumatic brain injuries. Due to their small size, they only admit 3-4 residents at a time. This option provides up to seven hours of weekly nursing care.

Services and Care Offered

Assisted living facilities in Wisconsin are primarily designed to help residents with some of the common activities of daily living, such as:

• Bathing
• Eating
• Dressing
• Using the bathroom
• Walking
• Getting in and out of bed

Some facilities offer more advanced medical care, including wound care, feeding tube management, insulin administration and specialized dementia care. The level of medical care, however, may differ greatly between facilities.

Cost and Coverage

Understanding the financial aspects of assisted living is crucial:

• Medicare does not cover assisted living costs.
• Medicaid, through programs like FamilyCare, may help to cover costs for eligible individuals with extensive health issues.
• Many facilities do not accept Medicaid. Be sure to ask about this during your search.

To explore Medicaid coverage, contact your local Aging and Disability Resource Center.

Understanding the Admission Process

According to a recent news article, admitting a patient to assisted living involves several key steps:

Facilities must first assess potential residents’ needs. This assessment includes a medical diagnosis and a resident’s ability to perform daily activities.

For patients supported by Medicaid-funded programs, the facility will need to conduct a separate assessment called the Long-Term Care Functional Screener.

Once a patient is admitted, facilities must then create an individual service plan. This care plan details the resident’s needs and how staff will meet them.

Staffing and Regulations

It is important to understand how the staffing situation works in Wisconsin’s assisted living facilities:

• The state has no set requirements for full-time nurses or medical professionals on staff.
• Caregiver training requirements are minimal, with most training occurring on the job.
• There are no mandated staff-to-resident ratios, giving facilities discretion to set their own staffing levels.
• The average caregiver earns just $15.40 per hour as of May 2023.

How Can I Find the Information I Need to Assess Potential Facilities?

Finding a facility for an elderly family member is no easy task. However, there are a few important tips to follow when researching potential assisted living options:

• Check the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website for a list of all facilities, including details on cost, capacity and Medicaid acceptance.
• Review state inspection results available online through the Wisconsin Division of Quality Assurance.
• Visit facilities in person and ask detailed questions about care plans, staffing, and services.

Need Legal Help for a Loved One Neglected or Injured in Assisted Living? Call PKSD Today

Choosing an assisted living facility in Wisconsin takes a lot of research and consideration of many factors. By researching the type of facility, services offered, costs and staffing, as well as asking the right questions, you can often find a facility that meets the needs of your loved one.

If you have a loved one who is already living in assisted living and you have concerns they may be at risk for nursing home neglect, it is important to speak with administrators at the facility and your local ombudsman. If these steps do not help to resolve your concerns, you should seek legal help as soon as possible.

Call for a FREE case review today. There are no upfront costs if we take your case. 414-333-3333