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CONTACT: Stephanie Marquis, Communications Director, 608-266-1683
FEWER PEOPLE TO GO INTO NURSING HOMES
Joint Finance Committee Approves Request for More
Nursing Home Diversion Placements
MADISON - Department of Health and Family Services Secretary Kevin R.
Hayden announces that the Joint Committee on Finance has approved the
Department’s request to increase nursing home diversion placements from
150 to 300 placements. Secretary Hayden and Governor Doyle thanked Senator
Judy Robson for all of her hard work on this issue, as well as Senator
Carol Roessler and the members of the Finance Committee.
"Many older adults and people with disabilities overwhelmingly
prefer to get care in their home or community," said Secretary
Hayden. "We are committed to providing people a choice about where
they live, while making sure they get the care they need. The nursing home
diversion program has been highly successful and counties are able to
serve more people who were on their waiting list to receive community
care."
Nursing home diversion placements allow the counties to find community
care for elderly individuals or people with physical disabilities who are
at imminent risk of entering a nursing home. On March 1, 2007, Secretary
Hayden made a request to increase the number of available nursing home
diversion slots under the Community Integration Program II from 150 to
300.
"All across this state, I've met people who don't need to be in
nursing homes, and can live in their own community with just a little
help," Governor Doyle said. "This is one more step towards
helping seniors and people with disabilities live more dignified lives in
their homes and communities while still getting the care they need."
Results from the initial 150 diversion slots indicate the success of
the program. The first 150 slots were made available in April 2006 and
were all taken within eight weeks. The Department continually receives
requests from the elderly and people with disabilities, their families and
county workers about the availability of additional diversion spots.
Governor Doyle has set a goal to reduce the use of nursing homes by 25%
during the next five years. The state has launched a comprehensive effort
to achieve this ambitious goal, including the nursing home diversion
program and expanding Family Care statewide.
Family Care is a successful pilot program in Fond du Lac, Kenosha, La
Crosse, Milwaukee, Portage, Racine and Richland counties. It allows
seniors and people with disabilities the choice to receive long-term care
services in their own homes and communities. Family Care provides an
entitlement to long-term care, using Medicaid dollars flexibly and not
just earmarking dollars for nursing home care.
Governor Doyle's plan to expand the Family Care program statewide will
eliminate waiting lists for community-based long term care programs during
the next five years. While Wisconsin is a national leader in offering
community-based alternatives to nursing home care, about 11,500 people are
on waitlists for community care statewide.
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Last Revised: October 24, 2008 |
