Survival Coalition Wisconsin

The Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations is a cross-disability coalition of more than 20 state and local organizations and groups. For more than 20 years, Survival has been focused on changing and improving policies and practices that support people with disabilities of all ages to be full participants in community life.

Updates

Update November 1: COVID Cases and Deaths Among People with Disabilities and Older Adults in Wisconsin

(Madison) –The Survival Coalition of more than 20 disability organizations supports the work of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Governor Evers’ administration to share regularly updated data regarding the impacts of COVID-19 in Wisconsin’s Medicaid Adult Home and Community-Based Services system.
People with disabilities and older adults, particularly those who live in congregate or group settings are particularly vulnerable to the virus. Wisconsin’s long-term care program enrollment is 78,972 or approximately
1.4% of the WI population but accounts for more than 1/6 of all state COVID-19 deaths.
Survival Coalition is sharing the Department’s updated data Monthly.
The following data was published on November 1, 2021 and can be accessed in detail here: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/hcbs/data.htm#cases
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 2, 2021

November is Family Caregiver Month: It’s Time to Fight the Invisible Epidemic

An invisible epidemic has been slowly raging across Wisconsin affecting approximately one in five Wisconsinites (1.18M people) who are estimated to be an unpaid caregiver. During November we recognize family caregivers who provide 80 percent of all care for people with disabilities, older adults and others throughout Wisconsin. Conservative estimates show 1 in 4 caregivers providing more than 40 hours of unpaid care a week (with many underreporting). The total value of this care is estimated at $490 million.[1]

This November the state recognizes the contributions of family caregivers while also pleading with policymakers for relief. Disability and aging advocates are unveiling a new video – Wisconsin’s Family Caregiver Crisis: The State’s Invisible Epidemic –  featuring the stories of family caregivers throughout the state. Watch the trailer here

Many caregivers want to provide this care, but it is increasingly challenging. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated strain on family caregivers who have been forced to leave their jobs or put their own health at risk to continue providing care. Half of caregivers report cutting back their work or volunteer hours. If they continue to work, they often take lower-level positions to fit around their caregiving responsibilities.[2] This puts a caregiver’s financial future at risk; lost income due to family caregiving is estimated to be a staggering $522 billion each year.[3] Family caregivers spend an average of nearly $7,000 a year of their own money to support their loved one. Read Full Press Release

[1] https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2020/05/full-report-caregiving-in-the-united-states.doi.10.26419-2Fppi.00103.001.pdf

[2] https://www.caregiver.org/resource/caregiver-statistics-work-and-caregiving/

[3] 2020 RAISE Family Caregiver report; (Chari, Engberg, Ray, & Mehrotra, 2015).

Recognizing the Need to Address the Caregiver Crisis and Supports to Families

Caregiver Survey Shows People are Going Without Needed Care, Families are Reducing Work to Provide Care. Stress is High.

Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations members continue to see the impacts of the pandemic on family caregivers and direct care workers who are in crisis. These survey
results from early 2021 share what is happening in Wisconsin communities and emphasize the need for the $400 billion increase proposed in the Better Care Better Jobs Act. Specifically, Survival Coalition supports increased home and community-based funding and other policy changes to increase direct care worker wages and support family caregivers who are providing a majority of care. Read full report

Update September 14: COVID Cases and Deaths Among People with Disabilities and Older Adults in Wisconsin

(Madison) – The Survival Coalition of more than 20 disability organizations supports the work of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Governor Evers’ administration to share regularly updated data regarding the impacts of COVID-19 in Wisconsin’s Medicaid Adult Home and Community-Based Services system.  People with disabilities and older adults, particularly those who live in congregate or group settings are particularly vulnerable to the virus. Wisconsin’s long-term care program enrollment is 77,432 or approximately 1.4% of the WI population but accounts for more than 1/6 of all state COVID-19 deaths.

Survival Coalition is sharing the Department’s updated data Monthly.

The following data was published on September 14, 2021 and can be accessed in detail here: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/hcbs/data.htm#cases
Read More

Survival Coalition Supports Governor’s Veto of Voting Bills

The Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations is gratified to see Governor Evers’ veto today of bills that would have restricted the ability of many Wisconsin residents with disabilities, older adults, and other voters to participate in the electoral process. (See full statement)

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Update July 6: COVID Cases and Deaths Among People with Disabilities and Older Adults in Wisconsin

(Madison) – The Survival Coalition of more than 20 disability organizations supports the work of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Governor Evers’ administration to share regularly updated data regarding the impacts of COVID-19 in Wisconsin’s Medicaid Adult Home and Community-Based Services system.  People with disabilities and older adults, particularly those who live in congregate or group settings are particularly vulnerable to the virus. Wisconsin’s long-term care program enrollment is 77,432 or approximately 1.4% of the WI population but accounts for more than 1/6 of all state COVID-19 deaths.

Survival Coalition is sharing the Department’s updated data Monthly.

The following data was published on July 6, 2021 and can be accessed in detail here: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/hcbs/data.htm#cases

Read full report.