Elder Care of Dane County

Elder Care Partnership

This pioneering program integrates health and long-term care services to help older adults live as independently as possible. Dane County residents age  55 or older, who have chronic health problems and meet financial requirements, are eligible to enroll in Elder Care Partnership, a Wisconsin Partnership Program. Medicaid and Medicare cover funding for eligible participants.

Teams of health professionals - nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, service coordinators and health care workers - partner with community doctors. Together, they work closely with participants and their families to develop customized service plans. Many health and personal care services are provided right in the home. Participants can receive all their health and long-term care services from Partnership. These include:

• Physician Care
• All Medical Specialties
• Nursing Care
• Social Services
• Prescription Drugs
• Transportation & Escorts
• Dental Services
• Personal Care (bathing, dressing, etc.)
• Assistance with Medications
• Meals
• Adult Day Services
• Physical & Occupational Therapy
• Mental Health Services
• Nursing Home Care
• Audiology & Optometry
• Medical Equipment & Supplies
• Hospital Care
• Lab & X-ray Services
• 24-Hour Emergency Call Line
• And More!(For a complete list, ask for the Partnership participant handbook)

An adult day center is a place for older adults with medical, physical or cognitive concerns to go during the day. At the day center, they find friendly people to talk to, enjoyable activities, nutritious lunches, health monitoring and help with personal care. Caregivers - wives, husbands, adult children, other family and friends - can go to work, run errands, or simply take a break.

Elder Care started the first adult day center in Dane County a quarter of a century ago. Today, we offer three day center programs to meet the needs of both participants in Partnership and older adults from the community. In a comfortable, home-like atmosphere, our caring staff organizes such activities as exercise, music, art, games, hobbies, baking, discussion groups and adapted sports. Trained health care workers help participants remember medications, provide dignified support with feeding, toileting, hygiene and mobility (showers can also be arranged at two of the centers).

The day centers are open weekdays, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, with extended respite hours available at some sites. Bright and airy with plenty of windows, each day center provides a protective, supervised setting as well as easy access for older adults with wheelchairs or walkers.

Memory Loss Adult Day Center
6155 Mineral Point Road
(For older adults with Alzheimer’s disease, other memory loss conditions)

West Adult Day Center
555 S. Midvale Blvd.
(For older adults with medical, physical or cognitive conditions)

East Adult Day Center
2802 International Lane
(For older adults with medical, physical or cognitive conditions)

Community Bridges

The Community Bridges program works with older adults who may feel isolated from their community, neighborhood, friends or family. For some, this is a recent situation in their lives - perhaps major health problems, death of a spouse or moving into Dane County. For others, this isolation may result from a lengthy stay in a hospital, nursing home or other institution.

Our community outreach specialists look for opportunities to connect isolated adults to the community - help them build relationships, join in life, and develop roles that bring dignity and respect. We provide a range of services, including an initial consultative visit, a more detailed "person-centered" assessment, and development of a community connection plan. Our specialists can also assist the older adults in making those connections and getting involved in chosen activities.

Some individuals and families pay privately for Community Bridges. Also, Dane County provides funding for older adults with developmental disabilities to receive our Community Bridges services.

Home Care

Our caring staff make living at home a reality for frail or disabled older adults who need help with bathing, getting dressed, making meals and other care. Family members also get a break from caregiving and peace-of-mind that their loved one's needs are being met.

For more information about services or to make a referral, call our Intake Staff at (608) 245-3075