Services
for Older Adults in Wisconsin
There are many services in Wisconsin to help people as they grow
older. With the right information and assistance, most older men and women can
stay in their own homes indefinitely. The kinds of services and programs offered
include:
The Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources, Department
of Health Services, is a state agency responsible for promoting
services for older persons throughout the state.
The following information tells you about the programs that are generally
available in Wisconsin. Please note not all services are available in every
community, and there are waiting lists for some services.
If you would like more information about these and other services for older
persons in your area, call your
County or
Tribal Aging Unit.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
(ADRCs) are the first place to go with
your aging and disability questions. ADRCs are service centers that provide a
place for the public to get accurate, unbiased information on all aspects of
life related to aging or living with a disability. These centers are friendly,
welcoming places anyone can contact to receive information and assistance
regarding not only the public benefits that may be available, but all of the
programs and service available throughout the area. Individuals, concerned
families or friends, or professionals working with issues related to aging,
physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, mental health issues, or
substance use disorders, can receive information specifically tailored to each
person's situation.
Every county and tribe has an aging unit to serve Wisconsin’s older residents.
Information and Assistance
helps older adults and their families connect with the
services they need. County and Tribal Aging Unit staff keep up-to-date information on available services.
Information is also provided for families caring for an older family member and to grandparents who are
raising their grandchildren.
To meet an urgent need or to get information that can help in planning for the
future, contact your
County or Tribal Aging
Unit.
Family Care
"Family
Care,"
was designed to provide cost-effective, comprehensive
and flexible long-term care that will foster consumers’ independence and
quality of life, while recognizing the need for interdependence and support.
Care in the Home
For many older adults, help with shoveling snow and other
household tasks can mean the difference between staying at home or moving to a
care facility. This help can take many forms. Supportive home care workers can
help with laundry, meal preparation, and house cleaning. Nurses or personal care
workers can help with bathing, dressing, preparing meals, or changing dressings.
This care can be paid for privately or through the Community Options Program.
The
Community Options Program
(COP) is available for persons
with limited income who need more help or a combination of services. The purpose
of the COP program is to give older people and
persons with disabilities
the
choice of remaining in their homes instead of going to nursing homes or other
institutions. Each person participates in deciding which services best suit his
or her needs. Waiting lists exist in many counties.
To learn more, contact your
County or Tribal Aging Unit
or
county social or human services agencies.
Housing and Care Facilities
There are many housing choices for older adults, including
living in one’s own home or apartment, independent-living apartments, or
various
assisted living
arrangements.
Housing with services caters to different levels of need, from
meals and light house-keeping to assistance with bathing and dressing. Some
factors to consider include whether one wishes to live in a building limited to
older people, a private apartment, or simply a private bedroom. Some people
prefer a place with only a few residents, while others prefer the social life of
a large complex with many residents. When exploring these choices, it is helpful
to visit different kinds of facilities before making a decision.
In Wisconsin, assisted living homes include Community Based
Residential Facilities (CBRF) and Residential Care Apartment Complexes (RCAC).
Adult Family Homes are private homes where one to four older residents receive
care.
Nursing homes
provide medical care for short or long term care. Most older
people still choose to stay in their own homes and get help when they need it.
The
County or Tribal Aging Unit can explain the housing options in your area.
Meals at Home or at Nutrition Sites
Older people who would like more than just a meal can eat at
least once a day at a nutrition site. Sites are located in community buildings
and senior centers. Here older people visit with friends and join in such
activities as playing cards or other games. Nurses offer blood pressure and
other screenings, and staff from the Aging Unit share useful information with
participants. Meals are delivered to the homes of older people who are not able
to come to the sites. In some remote areas, where it is not possible to deliver
a hot meal on a daily basis, frozen meals are provided weekly or biweekly.
If
you have questions about
meal
services, contact your
County or Tribal Aging
Unit.
Getting Together at Senior Centers
Senior Centers are a meeting place for adults 55 and older.
Centers offer social, educational, and volunteer opportunities. Activities range
from card games, hobby and craft workshops, health services, meals, and exercise
classes. Centers often organize bus trips for nearby shopping or distant tourist
attractions. Classes in computer training are often held, and attendees can
learn to browse on the Internet or send e-mail messages to relatives and friends.
Many activities are suggested and run by the center participants themselves.
Contact your
Aging Unit
to find the nearest senior center.
Volunteer Opportunities and RSVP
Besides volunteering at senior centers, older persons can go
into their communities as volunteers to tutor or to give special help to
children and adults, to assist in their local library, or to advise new
businesses. The
Retired Senior Volunteer Program
(RSVP) offers another choice
for seniors who wish to do meaningful volunteer work. RSVP offers training in
many areas and has opportunities for people with varied career backgrounds and
at many levels of ability.
The
Retired Senior Volunteer Program
or
County
or Tribal Aging Unit
can tell you about local opportunities.
Caring for People with Alzheimer’s Disease
The
Alzheimer's Family Caregiver Support Program
responds to the
stress and service needs of families caring for someone with an irreversible
dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. Counties receive state funds to help
individuals purchase services such as care coordination, in-home respite, adult
day care, home care, home delivered meals, and equipment such as security
systems, lift chair, or specialized clothing. There is information about
dementia diagnostic clinics, the Alzheimer's Association chapters, and other
long term care programs. Services through this program may vary in each county.
Support for Family Caregivers
Family members play an important role in providing care to older
people. The Family Caregiver Support Program meets the needs of the spouse or
relatives who care for older persons.
While services may vary, there are five main components to this
program:
-
Information to caregivers about available services.
-
Assistance to caregivers in obtaining services.
-
Individual counseling, support groups, and training for
caregivers.
-
Respite services to provide temporary relief for
caregivers.
-
Short-term services for the older person.
To learn more about the Family Caregiver Support Program in your
area, contact your
County or Tribal Aging Unit.
Transportation
Transportation services differ among counties and communities.
Some areas offer bus or van services to seniors, have volunteer drivers (using
private vehicles), or use "shared ride" taxi services to provide
transportation to older adults who do not drive. Often, people need
transportation to keep medical appointments, go to the grocery store, or do
other shopping. Special trips to points of interest may be organized and
offered.
Contact your
County or Tribal Aging Unit
to learn about what’s
available in your area.
Benefits Counseling
Sometimes older people are concerned about the benefits they are
receiving or are not aware of the benefits for which they may be eligible. Each
county or tribe has a Benefit Specialist trained to help Wisconsin seniors
who
need information or have problems involving their private insurance, pension, or
government benefits. Benefit Specialists are called "red tape cutters"
because they help older persons get the benefits to which they are entitled.
Contact your County or Tribal Aging Unit
to be referred to your local Benefit
Specialist.
Finding A Job
The Senior Community Services Employment
Program,
often referred to as the Title V program, was designed to help seniors find
employment through community service activities that enable them to learn new
skills or enhance existing ones. The program assists applicants who
are aged 55 years and older, unemployed, and low-income. Program participants have the
opportunity to improve and learn through work experience and classroom training. Participants receive no less than the minimum wage and work
an average of 20 hours
per week. The program goal is to find permanent employment with some benefits in the community for
those who participate.
To learn more about the Senior Employment program, contact your local County or Tribal Aging Unit
or
Job Center (exit
DHS) in your area.
Foster Grandparents
This service connects older adults with children who have
special needs. Foster Grandparents are assigned to children in local schools,
day care centers, and other organizations. A tax-free stipend is provided to
Foster Grandparents who are financially eligible.
To learn about this program in
your area, contact your local County or Tribal Aging
Unit.
Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Prevention
Wisconsin law recognizes material abuse (financial
exploitation), physical abuse (including sexual abuse), neglect, and
self-neglect as forms of elder abuse. Educating people about elder abuse can
lead to prevention. The individual causing the abuse can be a family member,
friend, neighbor, or stranger. If the older adult is unable or fails to provide
adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical, or dental care, it is considered
self-neglect.
If you suspect elder abuse, call your county about filing a
report. The situation will be investigated and services will be offered to solve
the problem. If you wish, you may report anonymously.
Good Mental Health
Feelings of helplessness or depression do not have to be a part
of aging. Research shows that older people may become addicted to alcohol or
certain medications; they may feel depressed and unaware of the seriousness of
their condition. Counseling can help relieve those feelings. Older adults are
encouraged to take steps to help themselves restore good mental health.
Call
your local Aging Unit for a list of professional counselors.
Help in Paying for Prescriptions
Prescription drug assistance for older Wisconsin
residents is available. It is called SeniorCare.
Paying for prescription medications can be a challenge for older people
who have a limited income. This program is for persons 65 years of age
and older who meet the eligibility requirements and pay the $20 annual
enrollment fee. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and
other prescription drug programs, contact your County
or Tribal Aging Unit.
Are There Fees for These Services?
In most cases, no fees are charged for the services outlined
above. However, County and Tribal Aging Units do accept donations. Older adults and their families are given the
opportunity to make a confidential donation towards the cost of the service.
Donations not only help to offset the cost of providing service but also support
the continuation of the service for others. Older adults or their families can
also make a contribution of their time as a volunteer.
It is important to note that small fees may be charged for some
programs or services. Often these fees are based on the cost of the services and
the older person's ability to pay.
To find out about available services, call your County or Tribal
Aging Unit.
The Human Services System in Wisconsin
In every county or tribe there is a network of human service
providers who serve children, adults, older persons, families, and people with
disabilities.
The Division of Long Term Care, a unit of the Wisconsin
Department of Health Services, provides statewide planning for human
services and manages most state and federal money budgeted for them. The
Division also makes certain that the services meet standards and are available
throughout the state.
Together, state and county governments have developed a caring network that
provides services needed most to help with problems or prevent them.
If you have questions or suggestions about services, or find it
difficult to obtain the ones you need, contact your County or Tribal Aging Unit
or Area Agency on Aging.
County or Tribal Aging Units are sometimes referred to as County
Commission on Aging, Aging Resource Center, Department on Aging or Council,
Committee on Aging, or some similar name. The Aging Unit is charged with the
responsibility of advocating for older adults. Older adults participate in the
governance of the aging units and planning of aging services.
Contact Us
Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources
1 W. Wilson Street, Room 551
Post Office Box 7851
Madison, WI 53707-7851
(608) 266-2536 Voice
Send an inquiry by
e-mail.
PDF: The free Acrobat Reader®
software is needed to view and print portable document format (PDF) files.
Learn more.
Last Revised:
February 06, 2013
|
