Family care wisconsin assisted living guide to ADRC steps, eligibility, and timelines to enroll. See if you qualify, estimate wait times, and get started today with support from Great Lakes Senior Living.

Understanding Family Care in Wisconsin

Family Care is Wisconsin’s long-term care program that helps eligible adults receive needed support at home or in community settings like assisted living or memory care. It is managed by regional Managed Care Organizations, called MCOs, and enrollment is coordinated through your local Aging and Disability Resource Center, known as the ADRC. For many older adults and adults with disabilities, Family Care can fund daily care and supportive services while allowing them to live in a community that feels like home.

If you or a loved one is exploring family care wisconsin assisted living options, this guide walks you through every step. You will learn how the ADRC process works, what eligibility looks like, how long enrollment typically takes, and how communities such as Great Lakes Senior Living can help you plan a smooth move.

Who Qualifies for Family Care

Functional Eligibility

To qualify for Family Care, a person must have a level of need that is significant enough to require long-term care services. The ADRC will complete a standardized assessment called the Long-Term Care Functional Screen. This screen looks at your ability to complete daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, toileting, medication management, and other tasks. It also reviews safety, cognition, and support needs. People age 65 and older who are frail, and adults 18 and older who live with a physical or intellectual or developmental disability, may qualify if their needs meet the program’s thresholds.

Financial Eligibility

In addition to functional need, you must meet Medicaid financial rules. These rules consider monthly income and countable assets. Wisconsin uses Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services guidelines for Family Care. Many individuals qualify with assets at or below a modest limit and income at or below a level often tied to a percentage of the federal SSI benefit rate. If your income is above the limit, a cost share may apply. For married couples, special spousal protections can help the healthy spouse keep a portion of income and assets. Because the rules can be complex and can change, it is important to review your situation with the ADRC or a benefits specialist before you apply.

Residency and Citizenship

You must be a Wisconsin resident and meet Medicaid citizenship or qualified noncitizen requirements. You will need a Social Security number and documents to verify your identity and residence. The ADRC will explain exactly what is needed and how to provide it.

ADRC Steps to Enroll in Family Care

Every Family Care enrollment begins with your local ADRC. The ADRC is a neutral public agency that helps older adults, people with disabilities, and their families understand options, apply for benefits, and navigate services. The process is designed to be clear and supportive. Here is what to expect.

Step-by-Step Enrollment

1. Contact your county ADRC. Call your ADRC to share your situation and request help with long-term care services. If you are unsure which office serves your address, search for ADRC plus your county or call 211 for assistance.
2. Options counseling. An ADRC specialist will discuss your goals, safety, and preferences. They can explain assisted living, memory care, home care, adult day programs, and the difference between Family Care, Family Care Partnership, and IRIS self-direction.
3. Functional screen. The ADRC schedules your Long-Term Care Functional Screen. The specialist will ask questions about daily activities and health needs. Be honest and detailed so your screen reflects your true day-to-day support needs.
4. Financial application. If the screen shows you likely qualify functionally, you will complete a Medicaid financial application with your local income maintenance agency. The ADRC will tell you how to submit forms and proofs, which may include bank statements, benefit letters, and insurance details.
5. Choose a program. If you are eligible, you will review available MCOs in your county. You may choose Family Care, Family Care Partnership if available, or IRIS. If you want care in an assisted living setting, your ADRC or MCO care team can help you match services to your preferred community.
6. Enrollment and care planning. After approval, you will meet your care manager and nurse from your chosen MCO. Together you create a care plan and arrange services. This plan can include assisted living services if that is your chosen setting.
7. Move-in coordination. If assisted living is part of the plan, your care team will coordinate with the community, such as Great Lakes Senior Living, to schedule a move date, review service needs, and finalize support details.

Documents to Gather Early

• Photo ID and Social Security card
• Proof of Wisconsin residency
• Medicare and insurance cards
• Monthly income documents such as Social Security or pension statements
• Recent bank statements and information on savings or life insurance
• Medical records or medication lists if available
• Power of Attorney or guardianship papers if applicable

Typical Timelines and What to Expect

Families often ask how long Family Care takes. Timelines vary by county and how quickly documents are submitted, but many people complete enrollment in about 30 to 60 days after contacting the ADRC. If there are complications with financial verification or if more medical information is needed, it can take longer. In urgent health or safety situations, the ADRC may expedite critical steps. Some counties have waiting lists when funding or capacity is limited. Your ADRC can give you the most current estimate for your area and your level of need.

• Fastest scenarios: clear functional need, complete documents, and available program capacity can lead to enrollment in a few weeks.
• Average scenarios: plan for 1 to 2 months for screen, financial review, and care planning.
• Potential delays: missing proofs, complex finances, or waiting lists can add several weeks. Staying organized and responsive reduces these delays.

How Family Care Works in Assisted Living

Family Care is designed to pay for supportive services tied to your care needs. When you choose assisted living, the program can cover approved services that help you with daily life. In most assisted living settings, residents are responsible for room and board. Depending on your income and rules in your county, you may also have a monthly cost share toward services. Your MCO care team and the assisted living community will explain what is covered, what is not, and how payments are arranged.

• Services often covered: personal care, bathing and dressing help, medication management, nursing oversight, transportation to medical appointments, case management, therapies ordered by your care plan, and dementia support.
• Room and board: typically paid by the resident using income and savings. If income is limited, the care team may help you explore options and benefits.
• Care plan: created with your MCO team to match your needs and goals. It can evolve over time as your health or independence changes.

Memory Care and Family Care

Family Care can also support memory care when the functional screen confirms the level of need. Memory care communities provide secure environments, specialized activities, and added staffing for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. The care team focuses on safety, routines, and engagement that honor the person’s story and preferences.

Great Lakes Senior Living: Compassionate Communities in Beloit, Milton, and Waterford

Great Lakes Senior Living is a Wisconsin-based provider offering assisted living and memory care across three communities. Since opening in 2001 in Milton, the organization has grown to serve families in Waterford and Beloit. Each community is Diamond Accredited by the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association, a reflection of consistent quality and commitment to resident well-being. When families search for family care wisconsin assisted living communities that balance comfort, safety, and connection, Great Lakes Senior Living is honored to be a trusted choice.

• Beloit Senior Living & The Gardens, 2250 W Hart Rd, Beloit, WI 53511
• Milton Senior Living, 600 W Sunset Dr, Milton, WI 53563
• Waterford Senior Living & Memory Care, 301 S. 6th St, Waterford, WI 53185

Each campus offers one- or two-bedroom apartments that feel like home, comfortable dining spaces, access to caring staff, and a calendar of social and wellness activities. For residents who live with dementia, dedicated memory care at Great Lakes Senior Living provides person-centered support and engaging routines that encourage purpose and dignity. Our teams collaborate with families, healthcare providers, and care managers to create a plan that is personal and realistic.

Families often ask whether communities accept Family Care funding. Coverage details depend on your chosen MCO, your care plan, and apartment availability. Great Lakes Senior Living regularly collaborates with Family Care teams to coordinate services in assisted living and memory care settings. Contact us to review your situation and we will help you understand next steps and timelines.

What to Do While You Wait for Approval

Waiting for enrollment can be stressful, especially if care needs are rising. These practical steps can help you stay on track and reduce delays.

• Complete your functional screen as soon as possible and keep your phone available for ADRC calls.
• Submit financial documents in one organized packet, labeled by month, to speed up verification.
• Ask your doctor to provide any recent notes or hospital summaries that document your care needs.
• Tour assisted living or memory care communities early. If Great Lakes Senior Living is your preferred choice, we can provide a needs assessment and tentative timeline.
• Discuss short-term support such as home care or respite while you wait.
• If safety is a concern, tell the ADRC. Urgent cases may be prioritized.

Family Care vs. Family Care Partnership vs. IRIS

When you enroll, the ADRC will explain your options. Family Care is long-term care managed by an MCO. Family Care Partnership includes both long-term care and most medical care in an integrated plan in certain counties, which may be helpful if you want one plan to manage Medicare and Medicaid services together. IRIS is a self-directed program where you manage a budget for long-term care supports with help from a consultant. Assisted living can be accessed with any of these programs if the care plan supports that setting and the provider is available.