Wisconsin
Assisted living industry works to provide quality care. Small number highlighted in report.
In 2023 over 72% of assisted living facilities in Wisconsin received zero complaints
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There’s no question that Wisconsin’s aging population will present challenges in the healthcare industry in the coming years, including the state’s assisted living industry, which is experiencing a steady increase in seniors utilizing services at more than 4,000 facilities throughout the state.
According to the Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services, “The state’s population aged 65 and older is expected to grow by 640,000, or 72%, between 2015 and 2040, which is six times higher than the projected overall Wisconsin population growth of 12%.”
Many of those seniors can expect to find quality care in assisted living facilities throughout Wisconsin, which are already serving well over 40,000 individuals with very diverse needs, ranging from relatively independent seniors to those experiencing advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, developmental and physical disabilities. It’s an important industry and one that is highly regulated.
Journal Sentinel series focused on small percentage of facilities
Providing care to such a vulnerable population warrants government oversight and understandably draws attention from the media and public at-large. A recent series of stories published by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel focused on challenges facing a small percentage of assisted living facilities in Wisconsin, highlighting some unfortunate and tragic circumstances involving residents.
To be sure, our industry is committed to providing safe and quality care to its residents, and while those situations highlighted in the Journal Sentinel’s coverage should not be downplayed, they are also in the minority. In 2023 over 72% of facilities received zero complaints. And, of the complaints received, over half were unsubstantiated.
Exceptional investigation on assisted living care forces uncomfortable conversations
Anyone interested in learning more about Wisconsin’s assisted living industry can access the most recent report from the Department of Health Services Division of Quality Assurance titled the “State of Assisted Living,” it reviews the 4,005 assisted living providers in Wisconsin. Our state has a two-pronged regulatory approach that incorporates unannounced survey visits and investigating complaints.
In short, the vast majority of Wisconsin’s assisted living providers are doing a tremendous job of providing quality care and services.
It is also important to clarify that assisted living facilities are meant to be an individual’s home that can help provide activities of daily living. Admission into an assisted living facility requires an assessment that involves input from the resident (or legally authorized individual), and the resident’s physician. The state holds providers accountable to that assessment.
The state can grant waivers to allow for additional hours of nursing/specialized care, but approval is on a case-by-case basis. The assessment dictates what and how care services will be provided and staffed. As in other healthcare facilities, failure to follow through would lead to regulatory action from DQA.
Medicaid funding is top challenge for assisted living facilities
The top challenges facing assisted living today are competing in the labor market for quality caregivers and a woefully underfunded state Medicaid long-term care program, i.e., Family Care. Further, the need for assisted living will grow as Wisconsin’s population continues to age.
An increasing number of seniors are having to rely on Family Care to obtain their long-term care services. Family Care pays much less than the actual cost of providing care – a situation that puts providers at a further disadvantage of being able to offer competitive wages and benefits compared with the service and light industry sectors. For example, the Family Care program has assumed caregiver wages are $13.02 per hour wherein reality, caregiver wages average $17 per hour.
The Family Care program was not designed to quickly react to economic market fluctuations compared with other industries that can simply raise prices to offset higher costs. Therefore, it is impossible for assisted living providers to compete with other industries and companies such as warehousing, restaurants, retail, gas/convenience stores, etc. when hiring workers.
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The state needs to continue instituting much needed changes to its Medicaid Family Care program to recognize actual costs, such as caregiver wages and inflation on goodsservices. On Aug. 1, Gov. Tony Evers directed DHS to invest $258 million into the Family Care program. The funding will raise caregiver wage assumptions from $13.02 to $15.75 per hour. This investment is desperately needed and will be a lifeline to assisted living providers who are struggling to make ends meet – and in particular, avoid assisted living facilities from shutting down or exiting the Family Care program.
Overall, assisted living facilities are committed to providing outstanding quality and compassionate care required to meet the ever-changing needs of Wisconsin’s frail elderly and disabled citizens. While the state’s recent investment in Family Care is greatly needed and appreciated, more work will need to be done to support the growing care and living needs of Wisconsin’s aging population.
Michael S. Pochowski is president and CEO of the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association.
The search for a pet kangaroo that escaped from its home outside of Necedah has captured media attention across the country.
Chesney is a 16-month-old kangaroo owned by Debbie Marlund, who operates Sunshine Farm Petting Zoo. He and his brother Kenny live in Marlund’s home, along with her five labradors, and often visit the residents of nursing homes and senior centers in the region.
“Chesney actually sleeps in bed with me every night,” Marlund said. “They’re both home bodies. They do get plenty of outside time when it’s nice. They don’t particularly care for cold weather.”
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The kangaroo was in his outdoor enclosure Wednesday morning when he was spooked by an unfamiliar dog and escaped. He’s been spotted multiple times in the area around his home but has so far evaded several attempts to catch him.
News of the search has been picked up by several TV news stations, including as far away as Seattle, and even made a British-based publication.
Marlund said she has not stopped searching for Chesney since Wednesday morning.
“I have been asking neighbors to let me go on their property and walk trails, walk paths, and get close to the vicinity,” said Marlund, adding that friends have been driving local roads to make sure he isn’t spotted leaving the area.
Colton Johnson of Midwest Aerial Drone Services has also aided in the search using a drone and thermal camera.
He often uses the equipment to search for lost pets but said tracking a kangaroo is more difficult because of its speed.
“It’s hard to keep up with him,” Johnson said. “He slipped us last night, but we’re going to head back out there tonight and see if we can get eyes on him.”
Johnson said there have been plenty of people in the area showing up to try to get a look at Chesney. But he urged residents to avoid going after the kangaroo because it could drive the scared animal further into the wooded area.
Marlund asked locals to keep an eye out for Chesney and report any sightings.
“He’s not going to come to a stranger, he’s too spooked,” she said. “But I think it is beneficial for people who are staying in the area or driving by to keep their eye out.”
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2026, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
If you’re looking to make reservations for an Easter meal, check out these Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants.
WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Calendars are quickly filling up with Easter services, egg hunts, photos with bunnies and brunch plans.
If cooking isn’t your thing, or you’ve been too busy to plan and cook this year, you have options in the Wisconsin Rapids area. Several local restaurants and businesses have you covered with all of your favorite Easter treats.
The following Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants and businesses will be offering Easter breakfast, brunch or dinner.
- Branding Iron Supper Club will offer an Easter Dinner from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 5 at 9721 State 13 S. in Saratoga. The Easter menu includes a ham dinner, a prime rib dinner, Branding Iron’s full menu, salad bar and a fresh fruit mimosa bar. The Easter Bunny will also visit from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations are available at 715-325-8102.
- Lake Arrowhead Association will host an Easter Brunch Buffet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 5 at Lake Arrowhead, 1195 Apache Lane in Rome. The menu will include a variety of options including a carving station for prime rib and smoked ham, mahi mahi with a Korean glaze, sliced pork loin, chicken Alfredo, chicken tenders, mac & cheese, french fries, baby red potatoes, carrots, a build-your-own omelet station, biscuits and gravy, french toast sticks, pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit, vegetables and more. Reservations are required, including a $25 non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot and can be made at 715-325-2915 or banquets@lakearrowheadgolf.com or events@lakearrowheadgolf.com.
- Nekoosa Court will host an Easter Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 4 at Nekoosa Court, 145 N. Cedar St. in Nekoosa. Breakfast will include all-you-can-eat eggs, sausage, pancakes and beverages with an Easter Egg Hunt to follow.
- Olympic II will host Easter Weekend Specials from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 4 and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5 at 2520 Eighth St. S. in Wisconsin Rapids. The Easter specials include a breakfast special of an 8-ounce New York strip steak and eggs, hashbrowns and toast, as well as a tenderloin and jumbo shrimp dish, a roast turkey and ham combo, chicken breast and four shrimp, ham steak, roast chicken and roast turkey. Reservations and orders for takeout can be placed at 715-424-4744.
- Quality Foods is offering a complete Heat & Serve Easter Dinner, including a ham dinner for eight people with off-the-bone ham, mashed potatoes and beef gravy or eight three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, homemade stuffing, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and eight slices of cheesecake. The store also will offer an Easter prime rib dinner for four, including prime rib, four three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and cheesecake while supplies last at 1021 W. Grand Ave. and 1811 Baker Drive in Wisconsin Rapids. Orders must be placed by April 1 at 715-423-8350 for Baker Drive and at 715-423-9750 for West Grand Avenue. Orders must be picked up by noon April 5.
- Slice of Heaven Bakery will host a free Easter dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5 at 1158 Snow Pass in Rome. Guests can eat at the event or order for takeout. Reservations are not needed, but those who need a delivery should contact rebeccalacount@gmail.com or call 608-449-0702.
- The Whitney will offer an Easter Breakfast Buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 5 at Hotel Mead Resorts & Convention Centers, 451 E. Grand Ave. in Wisconsin Rapids. Hot dishes include pancakes, pumpkin spice pancakes, french toast casserole, cheesy hashbrown casserole, quiche, frittatas, breakfast burritos, scrambled eggs, poached eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, breakfast sandwiches, eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy and chicken and wild rice soup. Cold dishes include a yogurt bar, fruit skewers, deviled eggs, muffins, cranberry bread, croissants, biscuits and an English muffin. Desserts include fruit pie, carrot cake, peach cobbler and coffee cake. The buffet is available by reservation only at 715-423-1500.
Want to add your business to the list? Please email cshuda@usatodayco.com with the name of your restaurant, your Easter hours, what your Easter menu will include, and whether reservations are required.
March continues on the ice as Dartmouth Big Green takes on Wisconsin Badgers in a regional semifinal matchup in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament.
MORE: How to live stream NCAA men’s hockey tournament 2026: TV channel, schedule
How to Watch Wisconsin vs Dartmouth
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Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
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Wisconsin enters the tournament as one of the more complete teams in the field, combining strong defensive structure with high-end offensive talent. The Badgers have leaned on forward Cruz Lucius, a dynamic scorer capable of creating chances in transition, along with Kirsten Simms, who has been a consistent offensive presence throughout the season. On the blue line, Wisconsin’s physicality and ability to limit quality scoring chances have made it a difficult matchup.
Dartmouth arrives as a disciplined and well-coached group that thrives on structure and goaltending. The Big Green will look to slow the game down and rely on key contributors like John Fusco and Cade Webber to control play in their own zone while generating offense through efficient puck movement.
This matchup will likely come down to pace and execution. Wisconsin prefers to push tempo and create scoring opportunities off the rush, while Dartmouth will aim to keep things tight, limit mistakes, and capitalize on special teams opportunities.
Fans can watch the NCAA hockey tournament across the ESPN family of networks, with games airing on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU, while select matchups stream exclusively on ESPN+.
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