Nursing Homes in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Nursing Home Regulations

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a federal agency that regulates and provides ratings for nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities. CMS offers guidance to state Medicaid services regarding rules for facilities that are Medicaid-certified. Medicare provides a national nursing home website to view the audit and licensing history of Medicare-approved nursing homes.

Each state regulates senior living communities differently, but you can use APFM’s guide to assisted living regulations to learn more about access to facility records in Wisconsin.

In Wisconsin, nursing homes — also called convalescent homes or skilled nursing facilities — are intended for seniors who require 24-hour monitoring and medical assistance. These communities are designed to promote independence among seniors who require constant nursing care to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), but do not require hospital-level care.

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)