Nursing homes and assisted living in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, assisted living has several official names, depending on the size of the place and the type of housing. Knowing them helps you search and compare with more confidence.

What care settings are called here

• CBRF (Community-Based Residential Facility): a residence where five or more adults live and get a room, meals, supervision, and daily help. It can provide some nursing care each week.
• Adult Family Home (AFH): a family home for one to four adults. Homes with three or four beds are licensed by the state. Homes with one or two beds are certified another way.
• RCAC (Residential Care Apartment Complex): independent apartments, each with its own kitchen, bathroom, and locking door, plus limited care services. They are the option for people who want more independence.
• Nursing home: provides 24-hour nursing care.
• Adult Day Care: day centers where a person can spend the day with others.

These places are regulated by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).

How Medicaid helps in Wisconsin

The main long-term care program is Family Care, a Medicaid program for frail older adults and adults with disabilities. Organizations called MCOs (managed care organizations) coordinate the services. There is also IRIS, an option where the person directs their own care plan.

According to the DHS, Family Care can support people who live at home, in a licensed CBRF, in an Adult Family Home, or in a certified RCAC. IRIS lets people live at home, in an Adult Family Home, or in a certified RCAC. Neither program pays for rent or meals. The resident pays for those.

The front door is your county's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). There, they will explain whether you qualify and help you with the steps.

How much care costs in Wisconsin

According to the CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025 (tables published on March 2, 2026), the median costs in Wisconsin are:

• Assisted living (private one-bedroom unit): $6,540 a month.
• Nursing home, semi-private room: $350 a day (about $10,646 a month).
• Nursing home, private room: $405 a day (about $12,319 a month).
• Home caregiver (non-medical): $36 an hour.
• Adult day care: $70 a day.

Prices vary a lot between cities and room types, so always ask for the rate in writing.

Who to call

• ADRC: 844-WIS-ADRC (844-947-2372), to find your county's resource center or tribal service.
• Ombudsman Program of the Board on Aging and Long Term Care: 1-800-815-0015. The ombudsman stands up for the rights of residents 60 or older, free of charge.
• Medicaid Member Services: 800-362-3002, for questions about Family Care.
• Eldercare Locator (national): 1-800-677-1116.

Tips for your family

• Check the license with the DHS Find a Health Care Facility or Care Provider tool.
• If your loved one will use Family Care, confirm that the place has a contract with their MCO. A license alone doesn't guarantee that Medicaid will pay there.
• Ask who they serve: some CBRFs and Adult Family Homes specialize in older adults or dementia, and others in different needs.
• Compare an RCAC with a CBRF based on how much help your loved one needs today and how much they might need later.
• Don't hesitate to ask for an interpreter when you call the ADRC, so you understand each step.

This is general information, not medical or legal advice. Confirm the details with the ADRC or the DHS. Below, you'll find the hogaresparamayores.com directory for Wisconsin.