Assisted Living in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a state that has a fairly large senior population, with 17% of residents being over the age of 65 according to the estimates published in the 2019 US Census. Assisted living facilities in Wisconsin charge a median fee of $4,350 per month, which makes the state a more expensive place to retire to than many other areas of the United States. There are many potential benefits to retiring to Wisconsin, however, and the state has 2,239 assisted living facilities for seniors to pick from.
This guide will help you explore the options for assisted living in Wisconsin and the options available for paying for senior living facilities in the state.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Assisted Living in Wisconsin
According to SeniorScore, Wisconsin has a rating of 71%. This rating considers how the state compares to other areas of the country in terms of cost of living, quality of life, access to health care and leisure facilities, safety and weather. The average rating for the United States is 72%.
SeniorScore™ for Wisconsin
The SeniorScore™ is calculated based on over 100 variables, some of which are shown below. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method. For More info visit senioradvice.com/seniorscore.
- Wisconsin's SeniorScore™ of 71 is lower than the national average of 72.
- Wisconsin has high access to Medicare registered healthcare providers.
- Wisconsin has a high number of hospitals within the state.
- Wisconsin has a high number of senior living facilities within the state.
- Wisconsin has an average number of home healthcare providers operating in the state.
- The average life expectancy in Wisconsin is 80.0, compared to the national average of 78.6.
- Wisconsin has an average overall property crime rate compared to national averages.
- Wisconsin has an average overall violent crime rate compared to national averages.
- 30% of the population in Wisconsin are seniors, compared to 29% nationally.
- Wisconsin has 473 golf courses in the state.
- Wisconsin has an average number of municipal parks throughout the state.
- Wisconsin has 2,278 churches in the state.
- The property taxes average 4.69% of total income in Wisconsin, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2.79%.
- The property taxes average 1.82% of property value in Wisconsin, which is significantly higher than the national average of 1.09%.
- The average sales tax in Wisconsin is 5.88%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 6.97%.
- The average state income tax in Wisconsin is 4.35%, which is significantly higher than the national average of 3.38%.
- The mean household income in Wisconsin is $66,840, which is higher than the national average of $64,580.
- Wisconsin's median household income is $54,185, which is higher than the national average of $51,560.
- The average per capita income in Wisconsin is $27,204, which is higher than the national average of $25,611.
- Assisted living costs in Wisconsin average $46,544 per year, which are higher than the national average of $42,700.
- Nursing home costs in Wisconsin average $97,813 per year, which are higher than the national average of $92,481.
- Costs for adult daycare in Wisconsin average $17,481 per year, which are lower than the national average of $17,931.
- Costs for home healthcare in Wisconsin average $46,713 per year, which are higher than the national average of $46,197.
- The unemployment rate is about 7.30% in Wisconsin, which is significantly lower than then national rate of 8.26%.
- The overall cost of living in Wisconsin is average compared to national averages.
- 0.50% of the senior population in Wisconsin are financially responsible for at least one grandchild.
- Wisconsin receives an average of 32.0 inches of rain per year.
- Wisconsin has an average annual temperature of 44.6 degrees fahrenheit.
- Wisconsin has an average low temperature of 33.9 degrees fahrenheit.
- Wisconsin has an average high temperature of 54.4 degrees fahrenheit.
- Wisconsin has an average population density of 540 people per square mile.
- Wisconsin has a very high public school quality ranking.
- Wisconsin has a very high public school safety ranking.
- Wisconsin has a high graduation rate of 89.62%.
Of the four modules, Wisconsin ranked highest in Health and Safety at 67%. The average life expectancy in Wisconsin is 80 years, which is higher than the national average of 78.6. Wisconsin has good access to health care, a large selection of senior living facilities and lower than average sales taxes. Rates of crime are average as compared with the national median.
Finances ranks lower at 63%. The comparatively high cost of assisted living facilities factored in the ranking here. Over the course of a year, assisted living in Wisconsin costs $3,844 more than the national average.
Top Assisted Living Facilities in Wisconsin
Eden Rehabilitation Suites is located at 3151 Eden Ct in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is a 50 bed skilled nursing facility. With approximately 22,000 people residing in the zip code of 54904, the encompassing area is densely populated. ...
Alexian Village of Milwaukee is a 108 room senior care facility situated within the Northridge Lakes area of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The community is in a primarily middle class area, with an average household income of $46,650. It is ...
Meadowmere & Mitchell Manor West Allis is a senior care community located within the White Manor area of West Allis, Wisconsin. The facility is in a predominantly middle class area, with a median per-family income of $47,285. ...
Lasata Senior Living Campus is a 150 unit senior care community. It is located at W76 N677 Wauwatosa Rd in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. With roughly 19,000 individuals living in the 53012 zip code, the surrounding area has an average ...
Water's Edge is located at 11040 North State Rd 77 in Hayward, Wisconsin. It is a 50 bed senior housing facility. The surrounding area has an average population density, with about 12,000 residents in the 54843 zip code. ...
Located at 1050 Division St in Mauston, Wisconsin, Fair View Nursing Home is a 60 unit nursing facility. The facility is in a largely middle class area, with a median per-family income of $45,725. It has an average ...
Lakeland Health Care Center is located at 1922 Cty Rd Nn in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. It is a 120 room nursing home facility. The community is in a primarily middle class area, with a median per-family income of $60,059. ...
Located at W173 N10915 Bernies Way in Germantown, Wisconsin, Virginia Highlands Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 121 room nursing home facility. With approximately 20,000 individuals living in the zip code of 53022, the encompassing area has an ...
Situated in the Fair Park area of West Allis, Wisconsin, Allis Care Center is a 152 bed senior care facility. The community is in a primarily middle income area, with a median household income of $45,041. With around ...
Reedsburg Area Senior Life Center is a 50 bed senior housing community. It is located at 2350 N Dewey Ave in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. The surrounding area has a medium-density population, with approximately 14,000 residents in the zip code ...
Located at 1900 American Eagle Dr in Slinger, Wisconsin, Pavilion at Glacier Valley is a 106 unit senior housing community. The neighboring area has an average population density, with roughly 9,000 poeple living in the 53086 zip code. ...
Located at 3601 S Chicago Ave in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Franciscan Villa is a 150 unit senior community. With about 22,000 poeple living in the 53172 zip code, the neighboring area is densely populated. It is a predominantly ...
VMP Trinity is an 87 bed senior housing community situated within the Whispering Hills neighborhood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The surrounding area is densely populated, with approximately 30,000 poeple living in the zip code of 53223. With a median ...
ManorCare Health Services-East Green Bay is a 79 room nursing facility. It is located at 600 S Webster Ave in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The surrounding area has a dense population, with around 24,000 people residing in the 54301 ...
Christian Community Homes and Services - Hudson Campus is an 81 bed senior care facility located in Hudson, Wisconsin. The facility is in a mostly affluent area, with a median household income of $82,758. With about 31,000 people ...
Oakridge Gardens Memory Center is a 94 bed senior care community. It is located at 1700 Midway Rd in Menasha, Wisconsin. The encompassing area is densely populated, with around 27,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 54952. ...
Oak Ridge Care Center is a 77 bed senior care facility located in Union Grove, Wisconsin. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with around 10,000 residents in the zip code of 53182. With a median per-family income ...
Located at 2575 S 7th St in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Bethany Riverside is a 123 room senior care facility. The facility is in a predominantly middle class area, with a median per-household income of $44,025. With roughly 50,000 ...
St Johns On The Lake is a 50 room senior community. It is situated within the Lake Park area of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The facility is in a generally middle income area, with an average family income of $41,513. ...
Golden Living Center - Colonial Manor is a 141 room senior housing facility. It is located within the Menomonee River Parkway neighborhood of Glendale, Wisconsin. The community is in a predominantly middle income area, with a median household ...
The Cost of Assisted Living in Wisconsin
The average fee charged by assisted living facilities in Wisconsin is $4,350 per month. This is more than the national average, although fees can vary from city to city across Wisconsin. Fees are significantly higher in Wisconsin, on average, than they are in Minnesota. Other neighboring states also tend to have assisted living fees that are above the national average, and this is reflected in the respective costs of living in those states.
- Wisconsin: $4,350
- United States Average: $4,051
- Minnesota: $3,800
- Illinois: $4,170
- Iowa: $4,078
- Michigan: $4,000
The Cost of Assisted Living in Wisconsin's Top Cities
The cost of assisted living can vary significantly across Wisconsin, even in some of the bigger cities. Of the largest cities in the state, Madison has the lowest assisted living fees, with an average monthly cost of just $3,950. Racine and Kenosha are some of the most expensive cities in the state when it comes to assisted living fees, with facilities typically charging more in those cities than they do in Milwaukee, which has a bigger population.
- Milwaukee: $4,485
- Madison: $3,950
- Green Bay: $4,400
- Kenosha: $4,788
- Racine: $4,788
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Wisconsin
Assisted living facilities are just one of the care options that are available to seniors in Wisconsin. Other options include in-home care services and nursing homes. Nursing homes provide round-the-clock care including assistance with the activities of daily living and medical care, to seniors who are unable to live independently. In-home care and assisted living services are aimed at seniors who are generally in better health and who simply need a helping hand with day-to-day tasks. Some seniors choose to live at home and drop-in to adult day care centers for additional support on days when their loved-ones are not able to take care of them.
Fees for care services can vary significantly. Adult day care facilities tend to be priced at the lower end of the spectrum since care is provided in a group setting and only during business hours. In-home care and assisted living services cost a little more because of the additional staffing requirements. Nursing home care is usually the most expensive, being almost twice the cost of assisted living, since seniors who are living in a nursing facility usually require attention from medical professionals and support with medication administration or a higher degree of day-to-day care.
The average monthly costs of different senior facilities in Wisconsin are:
- Assisted Living: $4,350
- In-Home Care: $4,767
- Home Health Care: $4,767
- Adult Day Care: $1,560
- Nursing Home Care: $8,273
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Wisconsin
Elderly and Physically Disabled 1915(c) Waiver
Phone Number: 608-266-1865
Website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/index.htm
Seniors residing in Wisconsin have access to a number of Medicaid services that can offset the cost of staying in assisted living facilities. The Elderly and Physically Disabled 1915(c) waiver is one such example. This program is open to those over the age of 65 who meet the financial eligibility requirements and provides financial support for certain assistance as well as for those wishing to receive care in small adult family homes and community based residential facilities.
There is a cap on the amount that a CBRF can charge for room and board for people who are participating in a Medicaid waiver program. The cap is set at the participants' SSI, plus any supplemental payments from SSI-E, minus a personal allowance, which is currently set to $45.
IRIS Home and Community-Based Services Waiver
Phone Number: 608-266-1865
Website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/index.htm
The IRIS Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver is another Medicaid program that provides similar assistance to the Elderly and Physically Disabled waiver. Eligible seniors can receive support with assisted living services. Under the program, participants are given a budget to cover the care services that they require and may then pick and choose services on a self-directed basis.
Participants have the responsibility of managing their care budgets and paperwork and acting as an employer to those that they hire to provide care. The program gives seniors significant flexibility in managing their care, however, it may require more time and engagement than the Elderly and Physically Disabled waiver.
Veterans Aid and Attendance
Phone Number: (866) 584-7191
Website: https://www.veteranaid.org/veterans-benefits-wisconsin/
The Veterans Aid and Attendance pension is a payment that veterans, their families and surviving spouses may be eligible for. This payment can be used to cover the cost of accessing assisted living facilities.
Veterans Aid and Attendance payments are available to help seniors who require some assistance with the activities of daily living. That assistance can be obtained either as in-home care or through adult day care or community-based residential facilities. The payments are means-tested and the income threshold varies depending on whether the care is for a single person or a couple. Veterans can seek advice from the Wisconsin Veterans Affairs Office to find out if they are eligible for payments and also to receive recommendations for suitable facilities in the state.
Wisconsin Assisted Living Rules and Regulations
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services sets out the rules and regulations that assisted living facilities and community-based residential services must abide by. The regulations serve to protect the well-being, dignity and independence of seniors.
Scope of Care | Assisted living facilities support seniors with day-to-day tasks including grooming, bathing, dressing, and eating, and also help them with clerical tasks, housekeeping and self-medication management. |
Care Plan Requirements | Assisted living facilities are required to devise a care plan for each resident which may include three to seven hours of nursing care per resident per week, depending on the type of facility. |
Medication Management Requirements | Assisted living facilities can assist with the administration of medication (by trained staff/nursing staff) and also offer medication management support for self-medication |
Staff Screening Requirements | Caregivers must have a full background check upon appointment and be rescreened at a minimum of once every four years. |
Staff Training Requirements | Staff members must receive training that matches their role and the level of interaction they will have with seniors. Administrative staff and care staff have different training requirements. Only medically qualified staff can provide nursing levels of care. |
Medicaid Coverage | Not all assisted living facilities in Wisconsin accept Medicaid. Consult the facility to determine the programs, coverage and payment schemes they accept. |
Reporting Abuse | The Long Term Care Ombudsman is the primary contact point for complaints and concerns relating to abuse. The ombudsman can be reached on 1-800-815-0015 |
Free Assisted Living Resources in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care
The Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care operates the ombudsman services for Wisconsin, as well as the Medigap advice line services. The board advocates for the rights of seniors and their loved ones and works to ensure that long term care providers in Wisconsin are offering a high standard of care to their residents. There is no charge for the services provided by the board. The services are run by a team including volunteers and paid staff who coordinate the advice and advocacy services for the state.
Contact: 1-800-815-0015
Assisted Advisors
Assisted Advisors is a Wisconsin-based organization that helps seniors and their loved ones find suitable assisted living facilities. It also connects seniors with legal advisors, financial aid and other support to make the transition into assisted living easier. The team works with area agencies and disability resource centers to help families make informed decisions about long-term care and find facilities that they are able to afford.
Contact: (715) 210-4066
Wisconsin Assisted Living Association
The Wisconsin Assisted Living Association works primarily with assisted living facilities, but also offers some services for seniors and their families. The association's website includes a provider search directory and a number of helpful links including information about policies, rights and financial assistance that individuals may find beneficial if they are considering moving into long-term care.
Contact: Find resources online at the WALA website.
Wisconsin Agencies
Department of Health Services
Phone Number: 608-266-1865
Website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/long-term-care-support.htm
The Department of Health Services in Wisconsin has a department focused on long-term care. This department offers advice about dementia care, long-term care programs, IRIS, Medicaid and other support and services for seniors living in Wisconsin. Seniors can contact the Department of Health Services for advice and signposting to services in the local area. There are many federal and state-specific programs available to seniors who require support, either via direct monetary payments or in the form of a waiver or a fee reduction.
Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living
The Area Agencies on Aging in Wisconsin was established in 1973 under the Older Americans Act. These agencies offer seniors advice, signposting and information about the services that are available to seniors in their local area. Each agency has some flexibility in terms of the services that they offer and the policies they operate under, so provisioning may vary from city to city. Contact the nearest Area Agency on Aging to find out what resources are available in the area and to access support or assistance with Medicaid Waiver applications or other financial aid.
Veteran Affairs Offices in Wisconsin
The Department of Veterans Affairs in Wisconsin was founded in 1945 to bring together a variety of veteran's affairs services in different cities across the state. The organization now supports seniors by providing access to programs, housing assistance, financial support and advice. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers some nursing home provisions for seniors, however, it does not run assisted living facilities in Wisconsin.
Seniors who are former service persons may be eligible for VA Aid and Attendance support, along with additional allowances if they are housebound. There are financial assistance packages available for those with disabilities, and pensions for those on a low income. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs online or visit a local office for information about the packages that are available.
Social Security Offices in Wisconsin
The Social Security Administration has a total of 30 offices in Wisconsin, each offering information about benefits and support packages, and serving as a place for consultations and applications. The SSA can advise on benefit eligibility criteria and offer up-to-date information about Medicare and Medicaid as well as social security payments. Seniors may wish to consult a Social Security advisor before making any decisions about assisted living arrangements because the criteria for benefit eligibility can be complex and income limits may vary depending on whether the applicant is an individual or a part of a couple where one or both parties require support.
Other Cities in Wisconsin