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Assisted living industry works to provide quality care. Small number highlighted in report.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

Finding hope while friends faced loss. We feared for dad’s life after selling our dairy herd.

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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.



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Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, first responders were undergoing training when a school shooting happened

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Madison, Wisconsin, first responders were undergoing training when a school shooting happened


First responders in Madison, Wisconsin, were participating in a training session on Monday morning when a school shooting occurred nearby, authorities said.

A student and teacher were killed and six others were injured when a teenage student opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School, a private Christian school serving approximately 250 families on the city’s East Side, said Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes. The shooter was found dead by authorities, police said.

Barnes said the shooting occurred around 10:57 a.m. CT, while medics with the Madison Police Department’s Special Events Team were in a session at the department’s training center — less than three miles away. The SET Medics Team consists of about 16 team members, including several who have worked or volunteered in Emergency Medical Services, according to the city of Madison website.

“They left the training center immediately and came down here and doing in real time what they were actually practicing for,” he said. “And that’s why training is so important, and making sure that we can provide the best possible training and the best possible response for our community members.”

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The police chief said training for such events occurs “constantly,” noting fire and police commanders participated in a separate training session within the past two weeks.

Madison police and local officials shared additional details on Monday following a deadly school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.

“And so all of that came into play today, and our officers performed extremely well based on their training and based on the expectations that they know exactly what to do,” Barnes said. “Stop the threat, stop the killing, find the threat.”

Training for mass incidents is something “we had hoped we would never have to put into practice one more time,” Madison Fire Chief Chris Carbon said.

A possible motive for the shooting remained unclear late Monday afternoon.

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According to Barnes, police were working to find out “as many answers as we can” while interviewing witnesses and securing search warrants to obtain additional information.

“Many of you have asked me about the why of this,” the police chief said. “Why did this happen? What do we know? What was the motivation? I do not know, but I will tell you this, our detectives are working hard in the investigative process to find out as many answers as we can so that we can further prevent these things from happening, not only in this community, but in other communities around our country.”



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Wisconsin football scores portal pickups as quarterback Danny O’Neil, DL Corey Walker commit

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Wisconsin football scores portal pickups as quarterback Danny O’Neil, DL Corey Walker commit


MADISON – Quarterback and defensive line are two major areas of need for the Wisconsin football team this offseason.

Luke Fickell and his staff scored key pickups at both positions Monday morning.

Quarterback Danny O’Neil and defensive lineman Corey Walker announced commitments to the Badgers to bring the total of known transfer portal pickups for the program to five.

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O’Neil, coming from San Diego State, is the first quarterback recruited with the idea of running new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes’ scheme.

This season the 6-foot, 195-pound redshirt freshman completed 209 of 330 passes (63.3%) for 2,181 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Walker (6-5, 270) played at Western Michigan and was part of the Broncos’ ‘defense that faced Wisconsin in Camp Randall Stadium earlier this season.

He finished the season with 38 tackles that included 6 ½ tackles for a loss and 5½ sacks. He was also credited with five pass break ups. He had three tackles in a 28-14 loss to the Badgers on Aug. 28.

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Walker has one year of eligibility remaining.



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Wisconsin Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 15, 2024

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Wisconsin Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 15, 2024


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The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 15, 2024, results for each game:

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Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

Midday: 9-4-1

Evening: 2-3-5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

Midday: 3-5-2-6

Evening: 4-7-9-7

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Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

Midday: 01-05-08-10-11-12-13-16-18-19-20

Evening: 03-04-05-06-07-08-09-18-19-20-21

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

02-04-08-29-30

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Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

06-07-16-33-35-36, Doubler: N

Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

  • Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
  • Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
  • Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.

When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
  • Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
  • Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
  • Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
  • Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
  • All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
  • All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
  • Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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