Community Care has been chosen by the state to expand Medicaid-funded, managed long-term care services in Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha counties in 2008, and Walworth County in 2009. Our role will be to develop and implement long-term care services for low-income seniors and adults with disabilities. For elderly and disabled residents of these counties who have not been able to get long-term care services, this means the long wait will soon be over.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to address this critical need,” says Paul F. Soczynski, Community Care’s chief operating officer. “Our mission is to keep people in their homes while making wise use of the limited funds available, which complements Governor Jim Doyle’s goal of reducing the use of nursing homes by 25 percent over the next eight years.

“By giving people access to the most appropriate level of care in their own homes, we aim to both help people live where they prefer, in their own homes, while using taxpayer dollars as responsibly as possible,” says Paul.

Community Care’s expansion of managed long-term care into Kenosha and Racine in 2007 eliminated the waiting list for services in Racine and has the Kenosha waiting list reduced significantly.

In the upcoming expansion, Community Care will develop services for three programs: Family Care, Family Care Partnership and Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

Family Care and the Family Care Partnership programs serve adults, 18 years old and up, with disabilities, including the frail elderly and those with physical or developmental disabilities. Both programs coordinate the provision of social, personal and long-term care services to promote independent living, with Family Care Partnership also integrating the provision of primary and acute medical services.

Through Family Care, a team, made up of a nurse and a social worker and member assesses the long-term care needs of each member and his or her family. The idea is to look at what outcomes we want to achieve and the options available to meet them.

By bringing nurses into the teams, we are able to provide more preventive care. By regularly monitoring our program members, we are able to address changes in their medical conditions early, helping members stay healthier longer.
As additional resources for the team, we have a psychiatrist, a rehabilitation specialist and a behavioral health specialist. Teams call on these specialists for consultation and help in managing complex cases.

Family Care Partnership teams include a community-based doctor, a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, a social worker and the member. Through the inclusion of additional medical personal, the Family Care Partnership teams are able to provide primary and acute medical services.

PACE provides a full range of integrated long-term, primary, acute and preventive care to frail older adults and offers a viable alternative to nursing home care. The PACE interdisciplinary team includes doctors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, rehab and recreation therapists, social workers and dietitians, as well as other who work in concert with program participants to develop individualized care plans. Participants receive care and services at Adult Day Health Centers located in their communities, as well as at home.