Senior Resources 2020 Southeast Directory

assisted living in Wisconsin. These buildings are then cer- tified and regulated through dhS. Seniors who qualify for these lower rent units typically have incomes at or below 60% of the county Median Income for the county in which the Section 42 affordable senior apart- ment building is located. Seniors in apartment units set aside for those at 60% or lower pay a lower rent than those living in what is con- sidered a “market-rate” unit. Providers who participate in the Affordable Assisted Living program agree to have a contract with a Family care Managed care organization or Mco. Family care is a long-term care service program through the Wisconsin department of health Services that provides low- income seniors access to ser- vices to foster their indepen- dence and quality of life. Family care covers the cost of services for qualified seniors where they live, including assisted living res- idences. Services in the affordable RcAc are either W ISconSIn A FFoRdABLE A SSISTEd L IvInG P RoGRAM

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paid for by the senior them- selves or may be covered through Family care for those who are enrolled in the pro- gram. By reducing the rent costs through the Section 42 pro- gram and providing access to funding for services through Family care, Wisconsin seniors with limited financial means may have a more affordable assisted living alter- native available to them. currently, there are a limited number of Section 42 RcAcs in the state participating in the program. For more informa- tion about the Wisconsin Affordable Assisted Living Program go to http://www.wiaf- fordableassistedliving.org , a web- site that provides details about the program and its history. Also, check with the Aging and disabilities Resource center in the county in which the senior resides to see if they can direct you to affordable options in your community. Finally, when researching assisted living providers ask them if they participate in the Wisconsin Affordable Assisted Living Program. Article submitted by Fresh Coast Partners

iving in an Assisted Living community can be a good option for many seniors who wish to stay independent for as long as possible and receive the services that they need in order to do so. For many moderate and lower- income seniors affording assisted living can be just beyond their reach. State gov- ernments and assisted living providers around the u.S. have struggled to find a solu- tion to this financial challenge. Fortunately, for seniors in Wisconsin an option exists that offers greater affordability. The Wisconsin Affordable Assisted Living program is an innovative alternative that was created through the coopera- tion of the Wisconsin housing and Economic development Authority (WhEdA) and the Wisconsin department of health Services (dhS). This program combines housing through the low income tax credit affordable rental hous- ing program and services through the Family care pro- gram. combined together, to form the Wisconsin Affordable Assisted Living program, this option offers a more residen- tial alternative for moderate and lower-income individuals. Section 42 affordable senior apartments are built to Residential care Apartment complex (RcAc) standards which is a type of regulated

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S E N I O R R E S O U R C E S

2020

F or information on S enior S ervices in Wisconsin, visit our website www.seniorresourcesonline.com