Milwaukee County Guide
Milwaukee County ADRC: Your First Step to Home Care & Medicaid Benefits
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Milwaukee County is the front door to in-home care and Wisconsin Medicaid long-term care programs — including programs that can pay a family member to provide care. Here's exactly how it works.
Prefer to talk to us first? Call Avida at (414) 348-4600.
Check your Eligibility
Free service for yourself and/or a loved one — takes under 60 seconds.
Private &
Confidential
The basics
What is the Aging and Disability Resource Center?
Every Wisconsin county has an ADRC — a free, unbiased service for older adults and people with disabilities. In Milwaukee County, the ADRC helps residents understand their long-term care options, from meals and transportation to full in-home personal care.
Most importantly for families: the ADRC is where the enrollment process begins for Wisconsin Medicaid long-term care programs such as Family Care and IRIS. These are the programs that pay for personal care services at home — and in many cases allow a spouse's adult child, relative, or friend to become a paid caregiver.
Step by step
How to use the ADRC to start home care
Contact the ADRC
Call the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Milwaukee County at (414) 289-6874. It's a free county service — anyone can call for themselves or a family member, no referral needed.
Free options counseling
An ADRC specialist learns about your situation and explains your options: in-home care, meal programs, transportation, and Wisconsin long-term care programs like Family Care and IRIS.
Medicaid eligibility screening
If long-term care at home makes sense, the ADRC starts the functional and financial eligibility process for Wisconsin Medicaid programs that pay for personal care services.
Choose your care provider
Once enrolled, you choose an agency to deliver your care. Many Milwaukee families choose Avida — and qualifying family members can get paid to provide that care, up to $2,000/month.
After the ADRC
Where Avida comes in
Once your loved one is enrolled, you choose the agency that provides care. Avida Personal Care is a locally owned Milwaukee agency with a bilingual English/Spanish team — and we specialize in helping family members become paid caregivers.
- Get paid up to $2,000/month caring for a loved one
- Fast eligibility screening — most families hear back within 24 hours
- Dedicated care coordinator and nurse support
- Serving Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, and nearby counties
Not sure where to start?
Call us before or after you contact the ADRC — we'll explain the process in plain language, in English or Spanish, and help you avoid common delays.
(414) 348-4600Milwaukee County ADRC FAQs
What does the Milwaukee County ADRC do?
The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Milwaukee County is a free public service that connects older adults and people with disabilities with resources and long-term care options. Staff provide unbiased options counseling, benefits information, and enrollment help for Wisconsin Medicaid long-term care programs.
Does it cost anything to use the ADRC?
No. ADRC services are free. You can call for information, get options counseling, and start benefit applications at no cost, whether you're asking for yourself or for a loved one.
Can the ADRC help me get paid to care for a family member?
Yes, indirectly. The ADRC determines eligibility for Medicaid long-term care programs. Once your loved one is enrolled, a qualifying family member can be paid to provide their personal care through an agency like Avida Personal Care — often up to $2,000 per month.
How long does the ADRC process take?
Timelines vary based on the program and how quickly paperwork is completed. Financial eligibility is handled through the state, and functional screening is scheduled by the ADRC. Starting with a phone call is the fastest way to get the process moving.
What if my loved one doesn't qualify for Medicaid?
The ADRC can still help with other resources, and Avida offers private-pay options. Call us at (414) 348-4600 and we'll walk you through what fits your family's situation.
Ready to talk? Call us today.
Our team is fluent in English and Spanish, with many other languages supported through a translation partner.