The 5 Best Nursing Homes in Wausau, WI for 2023
Wausau, Wisconsin, has a significant senior population. Of the more than 39,000 residents in the city, 17.1% are aged 65 or older. There are several major hospitals and medical clinics in Wausau, including the Marshfield Clinic Wausau Center and Aspirus Health which has a designated cardiology center. Aspirus Health also recognizes the unique medical needs of people aged 65 and older and specializes in several types of senior health care including Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) and Nurses Improving Care for Health-System Elders (NICHE).
Nursing homes offer seniors with poor health or frail physical condition the safety and comfort of round-the-clock supervision, access to skilled nursing staff, medication management and more. The median cost of nursing home care in Wausau is $9,155 for a semiprivate room according to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey. This is essentially on par with the state median cost of $9,022 per month. However, seniors who still maintain some independence can opt for more affordable care options like home care or assisted living.
In this guide, seniors and their families can compare the costs of nursing home care in Wausau and surrounding Wisconsin cities and review free resources.
Directory of Nursing Homes in Wausau, WI
North Central Hlth Care
Rennes Health And Rehab Center-Weston
Pride Tlc Therapy And Living Campus
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Nursing Home Costs in Wausau, WI
In Wausau, Wisconsin, the median monthly cost of a semiprivate nursing home room is $9,155. The cost of a private room in the area is $10,190 per month.
The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nearby Cities
Comparing the cost of semiprivate rooms in nursing homes, Wausau is $133 more expensive than the state median and $1,247 more than the national median. However, the cost of a semiprivate room in Wausau is the same as in Oshkosh and only $197 more per month than in Appleton. Green Bay is $653 cheaper per month, on average, than a semiprivate room in Wausau. In Eau Claire, seniors can get semiprivate rooms for $988 cheaper per month, on average.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Families who are trying to decide on the right type of care for their senior family member in Wausau, Wisconsin, can consider the monthly median costs of each service. The cost of a private room in Wausau is $1,035 more than a semiprivate room, which costs $9,155 per month. Seniors who still maintain some independence and don’t require constant care may be better suited to assisted living, which is just $4,125 per month. Adult day health care is the cheapest option at a median cost of $2,600 per month.
Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Wausau, WI
Many seniors and their families use some form of financial assistance to help them pay for nursing care. The main options available are Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits. These programs can be complicated, especially when it comes to benefit terms. Below, we give a brief overview of how these programs may be used towards paying for skilled nursing care.
- Medicare: Medicare will typically cover all skilled nursing costs for the first 20 days of one’s stay in a nursing home and a portion of the costs until day 100. After 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will not cover any part of the cost of the stay. While this is adequate when short-term care is needed, those in need of long-term care will need to either pay out-of-pocket or use another source of financial assistance.
- Medicaid: Medicaid covers most of the costs of living in a skilled nursing facility for those who qualify. Care, room, and board are covered with no time limit, but residents may be charged for extras like specially prepared food or cosmetic services. Medicaid eligibility standards are strict and complex, so not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid benefits.
- Veterans Benefits: Veterans receiving a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit administered by the VA. Aid and Attendance is a monthly allowance that beneficiaries may use to pay for their long-term care, including skilled nursing care.
If these options aren’t available to you, check if your loved one has long-term care insurance or contact your Area Agency on Aging to ask about any local financial assistance programs for seniors.
Free Resources for Seniors in Wausau, WI
Seniors living in Wausau, Wisconsin, or transitioning to nursing home care in the area may find these free services in the community useful. Free local resources empower seniors and help them get around town and establish relationships in the community.
Resources
Contact
Service
(608) 266-1865
The Elder Nutrition Program is available to seniors in Wausau, Wisconsin, through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The program helps millions of adults in Wisconsin each year and is available to any residents aged 60 and older. They can attend meals at senior dining centers for free or have nutritious meals delivered to their homes. Wisconsin has more than 500 senior dining centers to choose from and all meals follow up-to-date Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
(866) 907-1493
Seniors and disabled adults in Wisconsin who need a non-emergency ride to access medical care can get help from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Depending on the situation, the program offers seniors bus tickets, gas money or a custom-organized ride to get them where they need to go. It's necessary to call in advance to arrange the transportation.
(800 815-0015
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program in Wisconsin is administered through the Wisconsin Board of Aging & Long-Term Care and is there to support seniors in the community who have questions or concerns about their long-term care. For example, seniors can call the toll-free number and ask the local ombudsman questions about their nursing home care (such as whether they have a right to refuse treatment). The ombudsman can also help with issues related to power of attorney, senior's rights and ensuring they are not being abused in their care home. The ombudsman program takes calls and can offer referrals and look into problems that seniors or their families are concerned about.
(888) 486-9545
The Elder Benefit Specialist for Marathon County, Wisconsin, is the ADRC of Central Wisconsin. Elder Benefit Specialists are free for adults aged 60 and older and they provide trusted, confidential support to seniors who need help understanding what benefits they have access to. They offer help with health insurance, incomes (like Social Security Retirement and Disability income), expenses like food and utility bills, and more. The service is free as long as seniors are aged 60 or older and are residents of Wisconsin. Seniors can give consent for their family members or caregivers to speak to the specialist on their behalf.