Consumer Guide: Finding and Choosing a Personal Care Agency
In Wisconsin, the state licenses and regulates certain personal care agencies based on:
- Wisconsin Admin. Code ch. DHS 105 Provider Certification
- Wisconsin Admin. Code ch. DHS 106 Provider Rights and Responsibilities
- Wisconsin Admin. Code ch. DHS 107 Covered Services
There's a directory with details about each regulated personal care agency in Wisconsin. View the directory in Excel or as a PDF.
View personal care agency directory (PDF)
Personal care agency directory in Excel (Excel)
What is a personal care agency?
A personal care agency is either:
- A home health agency.
- A county department.
- An independent living center.
- An American Indian tribe or band.
- A freestanding personal care agency.
They provide services that must:
- Be medical in nature. Includes activities that help a person with daily living needs. The goal is to help keep the person living in their community.
- Come from a doctor's or certified personal care provider's written orders.
- Be provided by a personal care worker who works for the provider. All workers are supervised by a registered nurse based on a written plan of care.
When looking for the right personal care agency, it's important to find one that you like and trust. We have resources to help you choose an agency that's best for you.
Personal care agency resources
Expand the section that applies to you to view a list of resources. Select a link to learn more.
Along with the directory, these resources can help you learn more about personal care options.
- Aging and disability resource centers (ADRCs) - Learn how ADRCs serve the public and how to contact your local ADRC. ADRCs help with issues that affect older adults, people with disabilities, and their families. Your ADRC makes it easy to learn about options near you and apply for programs and benefits. Their services are free if you live in Wisconsin.
- Provider Search - Use the Provider Search tool to find health and residential care providers in Wisconsin. You can filter results to show only certain types of facilities, such as a personal care agency.
These resources help you understand laws that protect you and your care.
- Client Rights Office - Find out how to get advice about your rights from a team of experts. This office helps people who get services for a disability, mental health, or substance use. They'll tell you more about your rights under the law, Wis. Stat. §§ 51.30 and 51.61, and what they mean.
- Complaints or Problems with Your Health Care - Find out how to file a complaint about your health care. Includes issues with health and residential care facilities, providers, insurance, and medical bills.
- End-of-Life Planning - Learn about how to plan for the end of life. Includes details on advance directives, do-not-resuscitate orders, privacy rights, and more.
- Personal Care Agencies - Learn more about how personal care agencies are regulated in Wisconsin.