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CONTACT: Stephanie Marquis, Communications Director 608-266-1683
MORE NURSING HOME DIVERSION PLACEMENTS APPROVED
MADISON - Department of Health and
Family Services Secretary Kevin R. Hayden announced that the Joint
Committee on Finance has approved the Department’s request to increase
nursing home diversion placements from 300 to 450 placements.
“The overwhelming
preference of older people and people with disabilities is to receive care
in their home or community,” said Secretary Hayden.
“The nursing home diversion program has been highly successful.
We continually receive requests about the availability of additional
diversion opportunities. I thank the Joint Committee on Finance for moving
quickly so that we’re able to help provide more people with flexible
long-term care options.”
The nursing home
diversion program allows counties to find community care for elderly
individuals or people with physical disabilities who are at imminent risk
of entering a nursing home. This program is part of Governor Doyle’s
overall strategy of reforming the long-term care system to provide more
choices to individuals as to where they live and what services and support
they receive to stay healthy and independent.
The cornerstone of
the Governor’s long-term care reform initiative is statewide expansion
of the Family Care Program. Family Care is a successful program in Fond du
Lac, Kenosha, La Crosse, Milwaukee, Portage, Racine, Richland and
Sheboygan counties. It allows
seniors and people with disabilities the choice to receive long-term care
services in their own homes and communities.
The Governor’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.
Visit http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/ltc_cop/cop.htm
for more information about community-based long-term care options.
For
more information on Family Care visit: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/LTCare.
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Last Revised: February 06, 2008 |
