VA Benefits for Memory Care in Wisconsin

Types of Assisted Living Facilities Providing Memory Care

Wisconsin allows memory care services to be offered in three types of assisted living communities, each regulated slightly differently.

• Residential Care Apartment Complexes (RCACs) – apartment-style assisted living communities providing personal care and supportive services.
• Community-Based Residential Facilities (CBRFs) – structured residential environments offering more supervised care for residents with higher needs.
• Adult Family Homes (AFHs) – smaller residential settings typically serving a limited number of residents.

Although these facilities do not need a separate dementia-care license, they must disclose their memory care services during the licensing or license renewal process.

Residential Care Apartment Complex (RCAC) Requirements

RCACs that operate specialized dementia care units must disclose their services and evaluate residents before admission to ensure appropriate care can be provided.

• Facilities must market and disclose that they provide specialized memory care services.
• A comprehensive resident assessment must be conducted prior to admission.
• The assessment requires participation from the resident to evaluate their physical and cognitive condition.
• The assessment determines what services the RCAC must provide to meet the resident’s needs.

Community-Based Residential Facility (CBRF) Requirements

CBRFs must provide additional documentation when offering care for residents with irreversible dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.

• Facilities must state during licensure that they provide care for residents with dementia.
• A written description of residents’ special needs and how they will be met must be submitted to the Division of Quality Assurance.
• Facilities must outline structured activity programs designed for residents with dementia.
• Prospective residents must be assessed prior to admission to determine their physical and mental care needs.
• A personalized care plan must be finalized within 30 days of admission.
• Care plans must be reviewed annually or whenever a resident’s condition changes.

Adult Family Home (AFH) Memory Care Requirements

Adult Family Homes that care for individuals with dementia must also disclose their services and create detailed care programs tailored to residents with cognitive impairments.

• The facility must publicly state that it serves residents living with dementia.
• A program statement must describe the number of residents the home can support and how their needs will be addressed.
• Within 30 days of admission, the home must complete a written assessment of the resident.
• A personalized care plan must be developed based on the resident’s abilities, needs, and medical conditions.

Dementia Training and Staffing Expectations

Wisconsin does not require dementia training before staff are hired and does not establish fixed staff-to-resident ratios for memory care units. However, facilities must maintain enough staff to safely meet residents’ needs at all times.

• Facilities must maintain sufficient staff coverage 24 hours per day.
• Staff must complete dementia-related training within 90 days of employment.
• Training must address the psychological and behavioral needs of individuals with dementia.

Community-Based Residential Facilities have additional required training topics, including:

• Understanding the physical, social, and mental characteristics of dementia.
• Medications and treatments used for residents with cognitive disorders.
• Services offered by the facility and how they support dementia care.
• Meeting the needs of residents with multiple medical or cognitive diagnoses.
• Promoting social participation, independence, and self-care skills.

Inspections and Regulatory Oversight

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services monitors assisted living communities through licensing surveys and complaint investigations.

• Community-Based Residential Facilities are typically inspected every two years through unannounced surveys.
• Inspectors document violations in a Statement of Deficiencies (SoD) report.
• Facilities must submit a Plan of Correction (PoC) describing how violations will be resolved.
• Additional inspections may occur in response to complaints or to verify corrections.

The state has authority to inspect RCACs and AFHs but does not routinely conduct surveys for these facilities unless complaints are filed.

How to Review Facility Inspection Reports

Wisconsin provides public access to facility licensing records, inspection results, and complaint investigations through its online provider search system.

• The provider search tool allows users to locate assisted living communities by name or geographic area.
• Reports may include inspection findings, complaints, violations, and deficiency statements.
• The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program can help families interpret inspection records and address concerns about facility care quality.