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My spouse needs more care than I can give

Options that keep a couple together, and the spousal protections Medicaid provides.

Quick answer

Options that keep a couple together, and the spousal protections Medicaid provides.

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Caring for a spouse is different from caring for a parent, financially and otherwise. Wisconsin's non-MAGI Medicaid rules include a Community Spouse Resource Allowance meant to keep the at-home spouse from being impoverished.

Short answer

Options that keep a couple together, and the spousal protections Medicaid provides.

What to do, in order

  1. Understand the spousal protections. Wisconsin's non-MAGI Medicaid rules include a Community Spouse Resource Allowance and a Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance meant to protect the at-home spouse -- current figures were not confirmed from a primary source in our research pass, so confirm exact numbers with DHS or an elder law attorney before relying on them.
  2. Look at communities that keep couples together. Several campuses offer more than one level of care on one site.
  3. Be honest about your own health. Spousal caregivers routinely under-report their own decline.
  4. Get an objective assessment. The Area Agency on Aging serving your county can assess both of you at no cost.

Questions families ask

When does in-home care make more sense than moving to assisted living?

In-home care tends to fit best when a senior needs help with specific tasks (medication reminders, meal prep, bathing, light housekeeping) but is otherwise safe alone for stretches of time, wants to stay in a familiar home, and the home itself doesn't have major safety barriers.

What's a fall-prevention checklist for an older adult living alone in Milwaukee?

Remove loose rugs and clutter from walkways, install grab bars in the bathroom, ensure stairways and entries are well-lit, wear supportive non-slip footwear indoors, and have a clear, tested plan for winter ice and snow removal on the exterior steps and walkway.

Can Medicaid pay for home modifications to help a senior age in place in Wisconsin?

Family Care and IRIS, Wisconsin's Medicaid long-term-care programs, can in some cases fund home modifications or assistive equipment as part of a member's approved care plan, but this varies by individual assessment and is not a guaranteed, automatic benefit -- ask your Family Care Managed Care Organization or IRIS consultant agency directly.

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