Home Care in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Home Care Regulations

Each state regulates senior living care differently. Because home care providers offer similar services to assisted living, states may regulate home care within their assisted living guidelines. You can use APFM’s guide to assisted living regulations to learn more about access to provider records in Wisconsin.

In Wisconsin, home care — or in-home care — is a service which offers compassion and help to seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and wish to remain in their homes. Levels of care vary according to need, and can include companionship, meal prep, cleaning, transportation, and help with ADLs like bathing and dressing. Home care aides are trained to understand the nuances of senior care but generally aren’t licensed to provide medical services.

Cost of Living

Overall, the cost of living in Wisconsin is considered to be more affordable than the national average. The capital city of Madison and the city of Milwaukee are the most expensive areas in the state. The following index scores are based on a scale with the national average set at 100.

Price Indexes

• Cost of Living: 96
• Groceries: 101
• Housing: 91
• Utilities: 99
• Transportation: 98

Demographics

About 17% of Wisconsin's population are seniors. In the 2016 presidential election, Republicans won the state by a very small margin. Madison is the most liberal city in the state, while much of the rural areas outside the larger cities are fairly conservative.

2016 Presidential Election

• 47% voted Democratic
• 47% voted Republican
• 6% voted third party

Population

• Median age: 40
• Over the age of 55: 31%
• 2018 population: 5,813,568
• 2020 population: 5,856,842
• Estimated 2025 population: 5,966,442

Miscellaneous

• 27% regularly attend a religious service
• 44% consider themselves atheist, agnostic or a non-believer
• The state has a total of 6,078 congregations
• There are 194 Masonic lodges in the state

Climate and Weather

Wisconsin has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm to hot summers. The state receives a large amount of snowfall, especially in the northern regions which border the Great Lakes. Much of Wisconsin is covered in lakes and the state has some of the highest concentrations of fresh water in the country. The average humidity level is around 70%, and humidity levels are often highest during August at about 80%.

Humidity and Precipitation

• Average humidity level: 72%
• Average monthly precipitation: 3”
• Average maximum monthly precipitation: 4” (August)

Air Quality

• Average air quality index rating: 39 (Good)
• Average maximum air quality rating: 53 in May (Moderate)

Moderate air quality means that those who are sensitive to particulates in the air should limit the amount of time they spend on outdoor exertion.

Seasonal Temperatures

• Average temperature: 44°F
• Average summer temperature: 68°F
• Typical summer high: 86°F (July)
• Typical summer low: 46°F (June)
• Average winter temperature: 19°F
• Typical winter high: 35°F (February)
• Typical winter low: -2°F (January)