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With beautiful forests and lakes to explore combined with the interesting offerings of cities like Milwaukee and Madison, the state of Wisconsin has much to appeal to retirees. Those who love to spend time in nature will find plenty of accessible hiking trails and walking paths through rich forests and near pristine lakes. Wisconsin also ranks among the top 10 states in the country for healthcare for seniors. As a result, 17.5% of the population of Wisconsin is age 65 and older.
A state's SeniorScore rates the state's friendliness for seniors based on over 100 variables. Wisconsin's SeniorScore is 71, which is slightly lower than the national average of 72. Wisconsin scores highest for Health & Safety with a 67. A high average life expectancy that's above the national average is part of the reason for this score. A large number of hospitals and senior living facilities also contributed to the ranking. Finances was one of the lowest scored categories with a 62. The high average cost of assisted living is part of the reason for this lower score.
This guide provides an overview of home care costs in Wisconsin as well as resources to help Wisconsin seniors age in place more easily.
Located at 2616 Lathrop Ave in Racine, WI, Home Instead Senior Care is a home health care service provider offering in-home nursing services along with personal care services. They offer a variety of personal services such as spiritual care, providing ...
Located at 2951 21st Pl S in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Comfort Keepers is an in-home care service provider that offers in-home health care in addition to personal care. They offer a variety of medical services such as speech therapy, licensed ...
Located in Milwaukee, WI at 11333 W National Ave, Aurora Visiting Nurse Association of Wi is a senior in-home care service provider that offers in-home personal care along with in-home nursing care. Since 1966, they have been providing care to ...
Located at 513 E Mitchell Ave in Appleton, Wisconsin, Home Instead Senior Care is an in-home care provider offering personal care in addition to in-home medical care. They offer various medical services including memory care, stroke care, care for wounds, ...
Located in Wauwatosa, WI at 7425 Harwood Ave, Anew Home Health Care is a senior home healthcare company offering personal home care and in-home health services. For nearly 34 years, they have been providing care to clients throughout the Wauwatosa ...
Hess Home Health & Hospice is a senior home care service provider based in Mauston, Wisconsin at 1050 Division St. They provide personal home care services and also in-home health services to senior clients. For almost 29 ...
Located in Milwaukee, WI at 11400 W Lake Park Dr, Horizon Home Care and Hospice is a senior home healthcare provider that offers personal care and also home healthcare. For almost 42 years, they have been serving seniors in the ...
Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at 8400 W Capitol Dr, Trinity Home Health is a home healthcare provider offering in-home personal care services in addition to home healthcare. Since 2008, they have been serving seniors throughout the Milwaukee area. They ...
Located at 318 N Rochester St in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, Hannah Home Health Care is a home care service provider offering in-home personal care and in-home health care. Since 1990, they have been serving customers throughout the Mukwonago area. They ...
Home Health Agency - Independent Health Care, Inc. is a senior home healthcare service provider located in Madison, Wisconsin at 2970 Chapel Valley Rd Ste 203. They provide personal care and in-home nursing for seniors. For nearly 24 ...
Located at 4249 125th St in Chippewa Falls, WI, Home Helpers is a senior home care service provider offering personal home care along with in-home nursing care. They can provide a variety of personal services such as help getting dressed, ...
Located at 9800 West Bluemound Rd in Wauwatosa, WI, Preferred Home Health Services, LLC is a senior home health care service provider offering home healthcare along with in-home personal care services. They have been serving customers in the area since ...
Located in Sturgeon Bay, WI at 101 N 4th Ave Ste 106, Home Instead Senior Care is a senior home health care company offering personal care and home health care. They provide a variety of personal services such as assistance ...
Located in Wausau, Wisconsin at 2402 Grand Ave, Interim Healthcare Wausau is a senior home health care provider offering home care services and also in-home nursing care. Since 1993, they have been providing care to customers in the Wausau area. ...
Located in Madison, WI at 5752 Tokay Blvd Suite 500, Homecare Services in Madison, WI is a senior home health care company that offers in-home nursing and personal home care services. Since 2005, they have been helping seniors ...
Located in Madison, Wisconsin at 5396 King James Way Ste 210, Comfort Keepers is a home healthcare company that offers personal care in addition to in-home health care. They offer multiple personal services like dressing assistance, grocery shopping, help using ...
Located in Appleton, WI at 3020 E College Ave Ste L, Home Instead Senior Care is a home care company offering in-home medical care along with personal care services. They can provide different medical services such as diabetic care, stroke ...
412 W Kinne St
Ellsworth, WI 54011
Pierce County Home Care is a in-home care provider located in Ellsworth, WI at 412 W Kinne St. They provide home healthcare along with in-home care to senior clients. Since 1970, they have been serving customers in the Ellsworth ...
800 Wilson Ave Room 219
Menomonie, WI 54751
Dunn County Home Health Care is a senior in-home care service provider located in Menomonie, Wisconsin at 800 Wilson Ave Room 219. They offer in-home nursing and also personal home care to senior clients. They have been serving ...
485 S Military Rd Ste 1
Fond Du Lac, WI 54935
Located at 485 S Military Rd Ste 1 in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, Comfort Keepers is a senior home healthcare provider offering personal home care services as well as in-home health care. They provide a variety of personal services such ...
Genworth Financial's 2019 Cost of Care Survey indicates the average cost for home care in Wisconsin is $4,767. Home care provides assistance with activities of daily living as well as companionship. Home health care includes medical services, and this also has an average cost of $4,767. These state averages are higher than the national averages, which are $4,290 for home care and $4,385 for home health care.
The average cost of home care and home health care is the same in Wisconsin at $4,767 per month. The costs are identical in Iowa. In Illinois, seniors pay $286 less for home care and $191 less for home health care. Rates are lower in Michigan, with costs of $4,385 for home care and $4,481 for home health care. Costs in Minnesota are more expensive, with home care averaging $5,529 and home health care $5,815 per month.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
Wisconsin | $4,767 | $4,767 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Illinois | $4,481 | $4,576 |
Minnesota | $5,529 | $5,815 |
Iowa | $4,767 | $4,767 |
Michigan | $4,385 | $4,481 |
Home care is just one type of living option for seniors in Wisconsin. The most affordable option is adult day care, which averages $1,560 a month. With adult day care, seniors live at home but visit a community center for services during the day. Those who want the convenience of room and board may choose assisted living, which has an average cost of $4,350. The most costly option for those who need intensive services is nursing home care, which costs on average $8,760 for a semiprivate room.
The cost for home care in Wisconsin varies significantly from one city to the next, with a range of $4,004 to $5,339. In northern Wisconsin in Wausau, seniors pay $4,004 on average for both types of care, which is over $700 less than the state average. Milwaukee and Madison have some of the highest costs in the state, and the average in Green Bay is also above the state median. Oshkosh has identical costs for both home care and home health care, which are $191 less than the state average.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
Wisconsin | $4,767 | $4,767 |
Wausau | $4,004 | $4,004 |
Madison | $5,339 | $5,339 |
Milwaukee | $5,100 | $5,196 |
Green Bay | $4,900 | $4,900 |
Oshkosh | $4,576 | $4576 |
Family Care is a Wisconsin Medicaid program that provides long-term care to elderly residents, as well as individuals living with disabilities who need additional care. Family Care is managed through Aging and Disability Resource Centers in the community as well as managed care organizations that deliver individualized services to seniors at home.
Each senior who enrolls in Family Care is assigned a case manager and a registered nurse who work together to create a personalized care plan. Through Family Care, seniors can receive home health care, adult day care services, help with home modifications and home-delivered meals.
Contact Information
To apply, seniors should visit their local Aging and Disability Resource Center. They can also get information about qualifications from the Family Care website.
IRIS stands for Include, Respect, I Self-Direct. This self-directed Medicaid waiver program is available to eligible seniors who require assistance to remain at home and independent. An assigned consultant agency assists seniors in determining what services and supports they need and creating a service plan. Seniors receive a budgeted amount they use to secure those services and can choose their own care providers. Services and supports available through the program include personal care, home modifications, home-delivered meals, supportive home care and transportation.
Contact Information
Seniors can enroll in Medicaid and apply for the IRIS Waiver through their local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
Wisconsin offers in-home care through personal care agencies and home health care agencies. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services oversees the services these agencies provide. Wisconsin's Caregiver Law and the Caregiver Program Manual define the rules and regulations for these agencies. Wisconsin Medicaid also outlines how services must be planned and delivered in order to be paid for through Medicaid.
Scope of Care | Home care in Wisconsin includes all nonmedical care, such as housekeeping, companionship and basic help with daily living needs. Any individual who assists with nursing care, medication management, medical supplies and minor healthcare procedures is considered a home health care professional. |
Care Plan Requirements | Home health care in Wisconsin starts with an assessment from a registered nurse who determines how much help is needed for the individual to continue living at home and develops a plan of care. A doctor must sign and submit this plan to Medicaid for approval. The care plan will include the number of hours and type of assistance a senior needs. |
Medication Management Requirements | Caregivers can assist in the self-administering of medication. In order to administer medications directly, the caregiver must be employed by a home health agency. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Under Wisconsin's Caregiver Law, background and criminal history checks are required for people who are providing home care for seniors. |
Staff Training Requirements | Wisconsin home health aides must be certified nursing aides (CNA) and registered with the state. This requires a minimum of 120 hours of training through a state-approved program and 32 clinical hours of experience. |
Medicaid Coverage | Wisconsin seniors who are eligible for Medicaid and require personal care at home can get help paying for it through the Medical Assistance Personal Care program or the IRIS waiver. |
Reporting Abuse | Reports of abuse or neglect of seniors are submitted to Adult Protective Services. Those who suspect abuse should contact their local Adult Protective Services agency or elder agency in their county or report it online. |
Seniors in Wisconsin have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
Wisconsin residents who are aged 65 and older can apply for SeniorCare to get help paying for their prescriptions. It costs $30 a year, and seniors can apply any time after they turn 65. SeniorCare eligibility is based on income.
Contact Information
To apply for SeniorCare, fill out the application online. Seniors can also call (800) 657-2038 for help.
Each county in Wisconsin has an ADRC that helps seniors and adults living with disabilities find the services they're entitled to receive. This includes help understanding long-term care options, connections to in-home care services, help with adaptive equipment, contact with local transportation and food services and assistance applying for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
Contact Information
To get started with ADRC services, seniors should contact their local center.
Elder benefit specialists help seniors navigate their options for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, FoodShare and health insurance. They can assist with finding and applying for available programs and help with appeals if an individual is denied a service unfairly.
Contact Information
Elder benefit specialists are available through the ADRC in a senior's local community. Seniors can also search online to find the one serving their area.
The Wisconsin Elderly Nutrition Program serves meals to seniors through senior dining center locations throughout the state or through home delivery for those who are homebound. These nutritionally balanced meals are served hot and can accommodate special medically necessary diets. The meals provide at least one-third of a senior's daily nutritional requirements.
Contact Information
Contact the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources at (608) 243-5670 to find the closest senior dining center or learn how to establish home delivery.
Wisconsin Senior Employment Program (WISE) helps adults aged 55 and older find employment. It offers subsidized part-time work experience and employment training so seniors can gain the skills they need for full-time work. Seniors who wish to age at home and need to continue working can use this program to help find employment.
Contact Information
To apply for WISE, seniors should call the Senior Employment Agency in their county.
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) helps seniors find service opportunities in their local communities. Volunteering can help seniors stay connected and build relationships while aging at home. Opportunities include everything from working with youth to working in community gardens.
Contact Information
Local community RSVP program contact information is available online through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
The Senior Companion Program connects homebound seniors in Wisconsin with others aged 60 and older who can provide minor assistance and companionship that can help them continue living at home. Senior companions can also provide respite to caregivers.
Contact Information
Interested seniors can contact the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council Senior Companion Program at (715) 588-3324 ext. 1021 or the Social Development Commission of Milwaukee at (414) 906-2779 for more information.
The Homestead Credit allows qualified seniors and low-income individuals to claim a credit for up to $1,168 to offset their property taxes. Both renters and homeowners who are living at home can claim this credit. The credit amount is based on the household's income and the amount of property taxes or rent paid during the year.
Contact Information
To receive the Homestead Credit, seniors need to file Schedule H-EZ or Schedule H with their taxes for the year. For help, they can email [email protected] or contact the Wisconsin Department of Revenue's Customer Service Bureau at (608) 266-2486.
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