As the aging population in Marathon County continues to grow, available housing options need to be considered. Nursing homes are no longer the only option available, and today’s trends show that aging adults are staying in other housing options for most, if not all, of their lives. Examples of physical locations that are being utilized are: their own home or apartment with or without supportive assistance, subsidized/accessible apartments, adult children’s homes, and various levels of assisted living.

Two important factors come to play in allowing an older adult the choice as to where they want to live.  These are their finances and the availability of quality caregiver support.  If an individual does not have the private funds to insure their choice of living situation, Medicaid funds are available to assist with helping to keep individual out of costly nursing home situations.

There is a consistent lack of paid caregivers in Marathon County and Wisconsin. Individuals that could privately pay for services to come into their own living situation or perhaps are enrolled in a Medicaid program to bring in the services are simply running out of options because there is no one to hire.  Assisted living facilities as well as nursing homes are having this very same struggle.