While Fox Valley resident Thomas had spent several years in a nursing home following a spinal condition that left him quadriplegic, he never gave up his dream of moving back and living at home. Thomas’s managed care team worked closely with him to achieve that goal. While Thomas’s needs necessitated a high level of care, he and his managed care team were ultimately able to coordinate the supportive home care, access the necessary medical equipment, and ensure supports so that Thomas could live, thrive, and receive his care at home. Says Thomas, “I couldn’t have made it home without the help of my care team.”
For older adults, people with disabilities, and the families who often support them in their decision-making, decisions about long-term care are deeply personal and incredibly consequential. These decisions are not solely about ensuring the right health care and services based on individual needs, they are also about promoting independence, dignity, safety, quality of life, and peace of mind. Long-term care decisions deserve thoughtful consideration, trusted guidance, and a system that puts individuals and their loved ones at the center of every decision.
Family Care
Family Care is a Medicaid long-term care program in Wisconsin for older adults and people with disabilities. Family Care’s ultimate mission is to ensure enrollees receive the care and services they need in a setting that is integrated into their community and offers the supports needed to live a fulfilling life through a person-centered approach.
These services may include:
- Personal care and daily living assistance
- Home-delivered meals
- Transportation services
- Home modifications and accessibility support
- Care coordination and case management
- Adult day services
- Assisted living support
- Skilled nursing services when needed
- Support for family caregivers
The goal is simple: help people live where they want to live for as long as possible while receiving the support they need. This approach fosters and improves outcomes for recipients and their families, while simultaneously lowering the burden on already stressed long-term care facilities.
Wisconsin’s Community-Based Approach to Long-Term Care
Family Care is recognized as a national model for long-term care managed care, and Wisconsin’s Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) play a vital role in the program’s success. Family Care MCOs include Community Care, iCare, Lakeland Care, and My Choice Wisconsin by Molina. These organizations are committed to working with members and their care teams, as well as local providers, care settings, servicers, and resources in the community to coordinate services for people throughout Wisconsin. MCOs help ensure their members have access to comprehensive care and support that promotes independence, dignity, and choice.
Care Centered Around the Individual
A hallmark of Family Care is its focus on person-centered decision-making and planning. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, care teams work closely with members and their families to understand their goals, preferences, strengths, and support needs.
For some people, that may mean receiving services at home. For others, it may involve assisted living, specialized support for chronic conditions, or additional settings or caregiver assistance. The focus is always on helping members achieve the highest possible level of independence and quality of life.
Planning for the Future
Long-term care decisions are among the most important choices many individuals and families will face. Understanding Wisconsin’s Family Care program, and those organizations who manage members’ care, is essential. Learn more about Family Care and Wisconsin’s managed care organizations at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/familycare/index.htm.