ADRCs Help Older Adults and People with Disabilities
Your local aging and disability resource center (ADRC) is the first place to go to get accurate, unbiased information on all aspects of life related to aging or living with a disability.
ADRCs are friendly, welcoming places where you can go for information about aging or living with a disability, whether you are looking for yourself, or you are a concerned family member or friend, or a professional working with issues related to aging or disabilities.
The ADRC provides information on a broad range of programs and services, helps people understand the various long-term care options available to them, helps people apply for programs and benefits, and serves as the access point for publicly funded long-term care.
These services can be provided at the ADRC, by telephone, or through a home visit, whichever is more convenient to you.
Services Provided by the ADRC
The ADRC can connect you to resources about:
- In-home personal care and nursing
- Housing options
- Housekeeping and chore services
- Home modifications
- Adaptive equipment
- Transportation
- Health, nutrition, and home-delivered meal programs
- Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security
- Caregiver supports and respite
ADRCs help people with changing needs. Watch this video with American Sign Language translation to find out more.
Health and Wellness
The ADRC can connect you to wellness programs to help keep you healthy and independent.
Long Term Care Options Counseling
The ADRC can determine if you will be eligible for public funding for your long-term care.
The ADRC can help you prepare your Medicaid application, if eligible.
The ADRC will also provide:
- Information about the choices you have when making decisions about where to live, what kind of help you need, where to receive that care and help, and how to pay for it.
- One-on-one consultation to help you think through the pros and cons of the various options in light of your situation, values, resources, and preferences.
- Information about Wisconsin’s long-term care programs and help connect you to resources in your area.
ADRC Scorecards
The scorecard is a tool you can use to help you choose a managed care organization (MCO), IRIS consultant agency (ICA), and/or fiscal employer agent (FEA) based on the long-term care program you have selected. Each MCO, ICA, and FEA is represented in their program scorecard by star ratings evaluating how well they perform across a variety of factors, including consumer satisfaction, compliance with state standards, and staff retention. Contact your ADRC to discuss the options available to you in your county and to learn more about the scorecard.
Benefit Specialists
Benefit specialists can help answer questions and solve problems related to benefits, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, FoodShare, and private health insurance.
Disability benefit specialists serve adults with disabilities ages 18 to 59.
Elder benefit specialists serve people age 60 or older.
Resources and Reports
Consumer Guides
- ADRC Brochure, P-00122 (PDF) (Multiple Languages)
- Considering a Move: The Cost Calculator Can Help, P-00546 (PDF)
- Next Steps: My Planning Guide, P-00498 (PDF) (Multiple Languages)
- ADRC Board Orientation Guide, P-01813 (PDF)
- Overview of Wisconsin's new Supported Decision-Making law (video)
- This 90-minute overview of Wisconsin's new Supported Decision-Making law, presents the concepts around supported decision making, and how it can be used by people with disabilities, older adults and their families and supporters. Presenters Tami Jackson of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, Attorney Mitch Hagopian of Disability Rights Wisconsin, and Janet Zander from the Greater Wisconsin Agency of Aging Resources helped lawmakers develop the legislation. More resources on Supported Decision-Making in English and Spanish can be found at the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Reports
Please don't hesitate to contact your local ADRC if you have questions or need help with any issue relating to aging or disability. Find an ADRC in your area.
