What Wisconsin Seniors Are Saying: Themes from Three Regional Senior Summits Hosted by the Senior Empowerment Project (May 2026)
Introduction
Over the past several months, the Senior Empowerment Project has hosted listening events in three corners of Wisconsin. These include a Northwoods Senior Breakfast in Merrill, a South Central Senior Summit in Elkhorn, and a Statewide Senior Summit held in Stevens Point. Uniting seniors, caregivers, and community members, these events uniquely gathered input about the issues and opportunities of most concern to attendees. The themes that emerged tell a remarkably consistent story.
Housing
Across all three events, affordable housing ranked among the top concerns. In South Central Wisconsin, 69.2% of respondents identified housing as a priority, with nearly half pointing to the challenge of aging in place. In Portage County, housing drew 75% of total votes cast. In the Northwoods, concerns about the unaffordability of continued home ownership, rising rents, and zoning were raised consistently. Seniors across Wisconsin are worried about whether they will be able to stay in their homes and in their communities–and about where they would live if forced to move.
Healthcare
Healthcare access was the most passionately expressed concern at the Statewide Summit held in Portage County, where the umbrella category covering quality, affordable, and local care drew 115% of votes–meaning a significant number of participants felt strongly enough to use two of their votes on this category alone. In South Central Wisconsin, 61.5% identified healthcare as a priority, with nearly a third calling for universal healthcare coverage. At the Northwoods breakfast, senior healthcare access and caregiver support were both identified as top issues. Taken together, these results point to a healthcare system that is leaving Wisconsin seniors less than cared for.
Isolation
Social isolation emerged as one of the most consistent themes across all three events. In South Central Wisconsin, 41% of respondents named social isolation directly, and the broader Isolation & Connection category tied Housing as the top concern at 69.2%. In the Northwoods, connecting seniors to information, resources, churches, enrichment opportunities, and libraries was identified as a top priority—as was the role of technology in deepening isolation for those who lack access or skills. Seniors are not just asking for services; they are asking to be included in community life.
Transportation
Whether framed as a healthcare access issue, an isolation issue, or a housing issue, transportation came up as an urgent and important issue for seniors at every event. In South Central Wisconsin, 23.1% of respondents specifically named lack of transportation or volunteer driver support. In the Northwoods, transportation was the single top priority identified, with particular concern raised about weekend service and the ability to travel across county lines. Without reliable transportation, every other issue becomes harder to solve.
Care Workers
Participants in Portage County made clear that addressing the senior care crisis requires investing in the people who provide that care. 53.3% of votes fell under the umbrella of “care worker dignity and wages.” In the Northwoods and South Central Wisconsin, also, caregiver support and respite care were raised as pressing needs. Seniors and care workers share a common interest in a system that treats both giver and recipient of care with dignity.
Into Action
These events are a beginning (and not the end) of this conversation. The Senior Empowerment Project is organizing across Wisconsin to turn these shared concerns and opportunities into action, building a movement of seniors, families, and allies who believe that every older Wisconsinite deserves a home, access to care, and a place at the center of community life.
Over the past several months, the Senior Empowerment Project has hosted listening events in three corners of Wisconsin. These include a Northwoods Senior Breakfast in Merrill, a South Central Senior Summit in Elkhorn, and a Statewide Senior Summit held in Stevens Point. Uniting seniors, caregivers, and community members, these events uniquely gathered input about the issues and opportunities of most concern to attendees. The themes that emerged tell a remarkably consistent story.
Housing
Across all three events, affordable housing ranked among the top concerns. In South Central Wisconsin, 69.2% of respondents identified housing as a priority, with nearly half pointing to the challenge of aging in place. In Portage County, housing drew 75% of total votes cast. In the Northwoods, concerns about the unaffordability of continued home ownership, rising rents, and zoning were raised consistently. Seniors across Wisconsin are worried about whether they will be able to stay in their homes and in their communities–and about where they would live if forced to move.
Healthcare
Healthcare access was the most passionately expressed concern at the Statewide Summit held in Portage County, where the umbrella category covering quality, affordable, and local care drew 115% of votes–meaning a significant number of participants felt strongly enough to use two of their votes on this category alone. In South Central Wisconsin, 61.5% identified healthcare as a priority, with nearly a third calling for universal healthcare coverage. At the Northwoods breakfast, senior healthcare access and caregiver support were both identified as top issues. Taken together, these results point to a healthcare system that is leaving Wisconsin seniors less than cared for.
Isolation
Social isolation emerged as one of the most consistent themes across all three events. In South Central Wisconsin, 41% of respondents named social isolation directly, and the broader Isolation & Connection category tied Housing as the top concern at 69.2%. In the Northwoods, connecting seniors to information, resources, churches, enrichment opportunities, and libraries was identified as a top priority—as was the role of technology in deepening isolation for those who lack access or skills. Seniors are not just asking for services; they are asking to be included in community life.
Transportation
Whether framed as a healthcare access issue, an isolation issue, or a housing issue, transportation came up as an urgent and important issue for seniors at every event. In South Central Wisconsin, 23.1% of respondents specifically named lack of transportation or volunteer driver support. In the Northwoods, transportation was the single top priority identified, with particular concern raised about weekend service and the ability to travel across county lines. Without reliable transportation, every other issue becomes harder to solve.
Care Workers
Participants in Portage County made clear that addressing the senior care crisis requires investing in the people who provide that care. 53.3% of votes fell under the umbrella of “care worker dignity and wages.” In the Northwoods and South Central Wisconsin, also, caregiver support and respite care were raised as pressing needs. Seniors and care workers share a common interest in a system that treats both giver and recipient of care with dignity.
Into Action
These events are a beginning (and not the end) of this conversation. The Senior Empowerment Project is organizing across Wisconsin to turn these shared concerns and opportunities into action, building a movement of seniors, families, and allies who believe that every older Wisconsinite deserves a home, access to care, and a place at the center of community life.