© 2024 WXPR
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Family Care Extended In Wisconsin Five More Years

Air Force Medical Service

The federal government has given Wisconsin a thumbs up to continue a program designed to help people stay in their homes.

Family Care is a long-term care program that helps frail elders and adults with disabilities.

ADRC of Oneida County Director Dianne Jacobson says Family Care is a program unique to Wisconsin.

Every five years the state is required to ask the federal government for a waiver...

"Family Care is a program that was created(in 1999) and it is now in every county. That's just been within the last several years because it has fully expanded to the entire state..."

State officials say research shows Family Care costs less than other programs while continuing to provide quality care. In 2015, then-Governor Walker and the Legislature expanded Family Care to the entire state to end the waiting list to get on the program.

Jacobson says today, Family Care is available in all counties in Wisconsin....

"If any person, a person with a disability or an older adult has questions about what Family Care is or whether it may offer them any help, they should contact their county Aging and Disability Resource Center for more information...."

Family Care was partially based on experience in developing the Partnership Program, which integrates all health and long-term care services into one inclusive benefit.

Up North Updates
* indicates required