Cost of Wisconsin Assisted Living Facilities

The average cost of assisted living in Wisconsin is $2,800 per month

The range of costs is from $700 to $4,200 per month

This data is based on 23 of the larger facilities within the state and may not represent all facilities within the state. Additional fees may apply.

More info on Assisted Living Costs

Wisconsin Assisted Living Information

Wisconsin defines an assisted living facility as a facility that provides residential care and encourages resident to remain as independent as possible. There are three types of assisted living facilities in Wisconsin – community-based residential facilities (CBRF), adult family homes (AFH), and residential care apartment complexes (RCAC).

Wisconsin Assisted Living Facilities Scope of Care

All residents may contract for outside home health care as needed. CBRF staff provide basic care and assistance, including: · supervision, · information and referral, · leisure time activities, · transportation, and · health monitoring · personal care, · activity programming for persons with dementia, · independent living skills, · communication skills, and · up to three hours of nursing care per week (unless hospice is involved). AFH cannot have more than three or four residents and can receive no more than seven hours a week of nursing services. Residents receive room, board and personal care services. RCAC consist of five or more residential units and staff provide no more than 28 hours a week of nursing services and offers personal and supporting care. Minimum requirements if care include: · housekeeping, · access to medical services, · personal services, · assistance with all activities of daily living; and · nursing services, · health monitoring and medication administration.

Wisconsin Assisted Living Admission Requirements

None of the types of facilities are permitted to accept or retain a resident who needs are greater than the services the facility can provide. In addition, no resident can be admitted who is a danger to himself or others, is unwilling to have a physical examination, needs continuous nursing care, or is unable or unwilling to pay for all services.

Wisconsin Assisted Living Care Plan Requirements

All types of assisted living facility in Wisconsin are required to perform a written intake assessment, from which an individualized service plan is derived. Each facility can develop their own assessment form.

Wisconsin Assisted Living Medication Management Requirements

In a CBRF, medication administration and management must be performed by licensed nurses or pharmacists unless a medication has been packaged by unit dose. In a RCAC facility, medication administration and management must be performed by a nurse or by an unlicensed staff, under the supervision of a nurse or pharmacist. An AFH facility must obtain a written order from the prescribing physician for all medication.

Wisconsin Assisted Living Facility Requirements

In a CBRF facility, no more than two residents per unit are permitted and units may not be less than 60-100 square feet. Multiple regulations apply to this type of facility, depending on the age of the facility, the size, and the classification of residents, such as ambulatory or non-ambulatory. In an AFH facility, a double occupancy residential unit must offer at least 60 square feet per person and 80 square feet in a single occupancy room. For a person in a wheelchair, the bedroom space is 100 square feet. Two residents per unit are permitted (such as a spouse or friend). In a RCAC facility, no more than two residents per room are allowable. All units must have lockable doors, no less than 250 square feet of living space, and meet building codes for multi-family dwellings.

Wisconsin Assisted Living Staffing Requirements

In all facilities, the ratio of staff to residents must be adequate to meet the needs of residents as defined in their assessments and individual service plans. Staffing needs vary according to the time and needs of the patients, but all facilities require an awake staff person at night. An administrator or service manager must have the skills to manage a diverse staff, be 21 and have received specific training in a multitude of related areas.

Wisconsin Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

Community Option Program (COP) and COP-Waiver funds may be available, depending on eligibility and waiting lists. In addition, Wisconsin also has a program called Family Care that provides public funding.

Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Unit Requirements

CBRF and AFH facilities may identify those with dementia and Alzheimer’s a group that the facility can serve, and must be licensed to do so. Written policies are required that document programming and how individual’s needs will be met. Staff who work in these units must be trained to do so within three months of being placed in the unit. An RCAC facility may not have a dementia unit.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Quality Assurance, Bureau of Assisted Living