In recent years, the number of beds in Wisconsin assisted living facilities have outpaced those in nursing homes. Brian Purtell, executive director of the Wisconsin Center for Assisted Living, says licensing data shows that trend began in November 2009.
Purtell says assisted living centers have been offering some of the medical services often found in nursing homes such as treating residents with dementia. He also says Medicare waiver programs offering assisted living is another reason for the uptick in these facilities “whereas 15 years ago, particularly on the Medicaid side, it was nursing homes or nothing.”
As part of National Assisted Living Week, Purtell recommends dropping by one of these centers to visit the residents or see if they need volunteer help.
