Wisconsin Nursing Homes

The “Guide to Choosing a Wisconsin Nursing Home” is designed to help you and your family make the best possible choice, whether you are planning ahead, or need to make an unexpected decision. It also includes information about different types of long-term care.

Choosing a Wisconsin nursing home can be very stressful for you and your loved ones. It is helpful to plan ahead, visit and compare several nursing homes, and make sound financial plans early. Planning ahead gives you and your family more control. It can help make sure that your needs are met so you can get good quality care. Depending on your needs and resources, you may have other long-term care choices; like community services, home care, or assisted living. Before choosing a nursing home, check to see if one of these other choices may be better for you, or if they might help after a short-term nursing home stay.

Wisconsin nursing homes provide skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services to people with illnesses, injuries or functional disabilities. Most facilities serve the elderly. Some facilities provide services to younger individuals with special needs such as the developmentally disabled, mentally ill, and those who need drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Wisconsin Nursing homes are usually stand alone facilities, but some are operated within a hospital or retirement community. A Nursing Home is a secure health care environment. WI nursing homes provide 24-hour nursing care, rehabilitation services, meals, activities, as well as assistance with activities of daily living. Care may be provided on different levels including intermediate or skilled. Payment for services usually includes private pay, long term care insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare (short term only).

Many Wisconsin nursing homes today provide most of the nursing care that was previously provided in a hospital setting. Many nursing homes now focus their attention on rehabilitation, so that their clients can return to their own homes as soon as possible. Special Services can also include: home health care, adult day care, respite care and others. Therapies can include: physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and respiratory therapy.

Other Wisconsin Senior Care Options

A nursing home may not be what you need right now. Fortunately, the range of senior care options continues to expand to better meet the care and financial needs of individuals. Some of the alternatives that may be available in your area include:

• independent living;

• congregate care;

• assisted living; and

• home health care.

Another choice in Independed Living, which is also called Retirement Housing or Retirement Communities. To discover more about Wisconsin Retirement Communities click here.

Wisconsin Congregate Care

Congregate care is similar to independent living, but has a community environment, with one or more meals per day prepared and served in a community dining room.

Many other services and amenities may be provided such as transportation, pools, a convenience store, bank, barber/beauty shop, resident laundry, housekeeping, and security.

Wisconsin Assisted Living

Wisconsin assisted living facilities usually feature apartment-style housing. Services focus on providing assistance with daily living activities. These facilities are designed to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing home care, and provide a higher level of services for their residents including meals, housekeeping, medication assistance, laundry, and regular checks-ins. Wisconsin assisted living centers are a relatively new option in long term care. They provide assistance with activities of daily living to individuals who may need daily help with one or more activities of daily living. Residents receive round the clock medical supervision, meals, access to therapy services, and a variety of daily activities to round out their days, nights, and weekends. Residents may bring special furniture and accessories from home to personalize their suites or rooms. Payment options include private funds and long term care insurance.

Wisconsin Intermediate Care

Intermediate care is nursing home care for residents needing assistance with activities of daily living, but without significant nursing requirements.

Wisconsin Skilled Nursing

Skilled nursing facilities are traditional nursing facilities that provide 24-hour medical nursing care for people with serious illnesses or disabilities.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) or Life Care Communities (LCC)

These communities are planned and operated to provide continuum care from independent living through skilled nursing. The facilities allow individuals to live within the same community as their needs progress through the spectrum of care.

Sub-acute Care is intensive nursing care for patients recovering from surgery or illness.

Hospice Care is a combination of facility-based and home care provided to benefit terminally ill patients and support their families. Hospice is a highly specialized program for individuals who have a terminal condition. Caring and highly trained staff care for the resident as well as the family members dealing with the conditions of a loved one.

Respite Care is provided on a temporary basis to allow a family member relief for a few hours or days.

Adult Day Care programs provide meals and care services in a community setting during the day while a caregiver needs time off or must work. Wisconsin Adult Day Care is a great option for older adults who may benefit from socialization, support services, recreation, and meals in a supervised, social setting. Most offer affordable daily rates. Wisconsin adult day care programs enable the resident to attend the program during the day and return home in the evening. Private funds, Medicaid, Veterans Administration, and special scholarships are sources of funding for the program.

Home Health Care is provided in an individual's home by outside providers and aims to keep the individual functioning at the highest possible level.

CHOOSING A WISCONSIN NURSING HOME

Choosing a Wisconsin nursing home is a very important decision. You need to think about whether a nursing home is the best choice for you. A nursing home provides care to people who can’t be cared for at home or in the community. For people who can’t take care of themselves due to physical or mental problems, nursing homes can provide a wide range of personal care (like help with feeding or dressing) and health services. For many people, this care generally is custodial, or non skilled care. Care in a nursing home can be very expensive. Nursing homes usually provide 24-hour medical care as well as room, meals, activities, and some personal care. Most nursing homes charge a basic fee for room, meals, and some personal care. You may have to pay extra for other services or care for special medical needs. It is important to get a list of fees in advance and discuss these costs and how you will pay for them.

A Wisconsin nursing home may not be your only choice for your personal care and health services. Depending on your needs and resources, there are other kinds of living and care choices available for long-term care. You can get long-term care at home, in senior centers, at community centers, at adult day care centers, or in special retirement or assisted living facilities. You may need help from family and friends, community services, and professional care agencies. You may wish to talk to your family, doctor, or a social worker to help decide what long-term care you need.