In 2023 over 72% of assisted living facilities in Wisconsin received zero complaints

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.

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

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.

CHICAGO – Wisconsin has 95 Democratic delegates in Chicago for the 2024 National Convention, and they aren’t just there to make noise and hol signs.

Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez was the first Wisconsinite to take the stage in Chicago on Monday, Aug. 19.

She joined a few other party leaders from different states to talk up the impact Vice President Kamala Harris and the Biden administration has had in those states.

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Rodriguez, who worked as a nurse before entering politics, focused her speech on health care. Rodriguez touted Harris and Gov. Tim Walz’s commitment to protecting abortion access.

“Health care isn’t just about drugs and treatment. It’s about freedom,” she said. “The freedom to make your own choices, and the freedom to get the care you need without worrying about the cost. Kamala Harris is fighting for that healthy future.”

She won’t be the only Wisconsin connection to take the DNC stage; Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson is set to speak Wednesday night as well.

CHICAGO, Ill. — Thousands of people from every corner of the country, including Wisconsin, made their way to Chicago for the start of the Democratic National Convention.

“We’ve got 78 days of hard work. We can sleep when we’re dead, not now, not now!” said Gov. Tim Walz.

A surprise visit from vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz kicked off Monday’s Wisconsin delegate breakfast.

First-time delegates like Henry Pahlow say getting the chance to see democracy in action is inspiring.

“It’s just a tremendous honor to be here. I’m starstruck,” said Pahlow.

Pahlow just turned 18 this summer and plans to vote in his very first election this fall. He says he is excited to support a candidate who cares about the issues that impact other young voters.

“Whether it’s making the cost of education more affordable by forgiving student debt, fighting against the climate crisis, or protecting reproductive rights and freedoms, I think those are issues that really energize my generation. They sure as heck energize me,” said Pahlow.

Watch: Gov. Walz surprises Wisconsin delegates in Chicago:

Democratic National Convention kicks off with delegate breakfast

Milwaukee delegate Craig Mastantuono says Monday’s theme is personal.

“For the people, to me, is a reminder that our ticket looks like America, that we have a candidate who is also the daughter of immigrants, and that’s the American experience,” said Mastantuono.

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Mastantuono says the energy he feels on this first day is a good sign of things to come.

“People are really just getting their resolve up to go through the next three months and bring this home, and then going home and taking that energy and excitement and putting it into action,” said Mastantuono.

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