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Memory Care in Wisconsin

Overview of Memory Care in Wisconsin

Wisconsin sits in the northern portion of the Midwest and is often referred to as “America’s Dairyland,” due to the state’s large number of dairy farms. Besides having great cheese, Wisconsin is known as a northern oasis, with many lakes and streams throughout the state – Wisconsin has some of the highest concentrations of fresh water in the country. Popular local pastimes include fishing, boating, hunting, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers. Whether you prefer spending time outdoors or enjoy living in a major city like Milwaukee, Wisconsin has got you covered.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 280 senior living communities in Wisconsin that provide memory care. The median monthly cost of memory care in Wisconsin is about $5,800.

Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Wisconsin

10
10 Photos available

Azura Memory Care of Clinton

805 Sue Lane, Clinton, WI 53525
10
Review Score
58 reviews
Raymomd Hulsey - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Very clean and helpful and friendly people work there prices are are good you can come and visit at any time we think that good all the people there have dementia and they are very good with them that all

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15
15 Photos available
1
1 Floor plans available

The Waterford at Park Falls

354 Linden St, Park Falls, WI 54552
9.8
Review Score
59 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Doesn't care to do activities, he's a farmer don't care but ma enjoys them. Dad comes from not much money so everything costs to him.

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30
30 Photos available

Oak Hill Terrace

1805 Kensington Dr., Waukesha, WI 53188
9.8
Review Score
64 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Robin D - I'm a current/former resident or client

The people here at Oak Hill Terrance are very nice. I love to do puzzles and they have a special area where and get to work on them with my friend. I also really like the food here its yummy. I live my cat...

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Brookfield

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25
25 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

Azura Assisted Living and Memory Care of Brookfield

16030 Washington Dr, Brookfield, WI 53005
8.3
Review Score
38 reviews
Sylvia C - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

While no place is perfect, the people were very nice, they seemed to have genuine interest in helping my mom and showed compassion. While the main areas were clean, I wasn't impressed with the level of...

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11
11 Photos available

Discovery Commons Brookfield

16040 W Greenfield Ave, Brookfield, WI 53005
9.0
Review Score
41 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
AA - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I have already recommend it to others. It has been exactly what my mom has needed in terms of care and so much more that they offer.

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16
16 Photos available
12
12 Floor plans available

Regency Brookfield

777 North Brookfield Road, Brookfield, WI 53045
9.0
Review Score
34 reviews
Ken H - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

5's across the board. This place is amazing and my mother loves it. I'm so happy with ProHealth Regency in Brookfield. We would wholeheartedly recommend ProHealth Regency Senior Living to other families.

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Milwaukee

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23
23 Photos available

Library Square

1820 South 75th Street, West Allis, WI 53214
9.0
Review Score
42 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Martha P - I live or lived in this community

I would tell others looking that the staff is very friendly and patient with those who are a little rough on the edges. Aside from a walk through, the room sizes /amenities are clearly written up so there...

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18
18 Photos available

Discovery Commons North Shore

100 W. River Woods Parkway, Glendale, WI 53212
8.9
Review Score
32 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

It's been a positive experience. We picked this community because it was recommended by friends. We toured the community and had what I was looking for.

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13
13 Photos available

Hickory Park Senior Living

3933 S Prairie Hill Lane, Greenfield, WI 53228
9.2
Review Score
46 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My experience with Hickory Park was great..[name removed] , the PR person couldn't have been better...the apartment was lovely...very clean and well cared for. My church friend,(88 years old,) was happy...

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Appleton

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11
11 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Dimensions Living Appleton

5800 Pennsylvania Ave, Appleton, WI 54914
9.1
Review Score
54 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Robert K - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I would certainly recommend. As with that industry as a whole, Dimensions was occasionally short staffed. The people that worked there were extremely dedicated and compassionate.

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9
9 Photos available

Azura Memory Care of Oshkosh

2220 Brookview Court, Oshkosh, WI 54904
8.9
Review Score
42 reviews
Maian K - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff here is amazing and treat the residents with respect & care! Of course wish my loved one wouldn't have to be here, but it is a great place!

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16
16 Photos available

Bellevue Senior Living

1660 Hoffman Road, Green Bay, WI 54311
9.6
Review Score
60 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Christina F - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

We love that everything is included. Definitely feels safe and well-cared for. My mother-in-law can be very particular...but she's been happy there. Lots of activities to do if she chooses. She's in a...

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Madison

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20
20 Photos available
8
8 Floor plans available

The Waterford at Fitchburg

5440 Caddis Bend, Fitchburg, WI 53711
9.7
Review Score
116 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Marlene H - I'm a current/former resident or client

My husband and I have lived here now for 15 months. All the residents seem happy and we enjoy being with people our own age. We appreciate the free transportation they give us to our many clinic appointment...

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17
17 Photos available
9
9 Floor plans available

Brookdale Madison West

413 & 429 S. Yellowstone Drive, Madison, WI 53719
8.6
Review Score
89 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Dad often complains of slow service, long waits for help with the urinal. Some caregivers are very good, others rude and impatient.

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17
17 Photos available

Oak Park Place Madison

618-719 Jupiter Drive, Madison, WI 53718
7.5
Review Score
55 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I am very sure that working on a memory care unit is extremely difficult for staff. Staff have to be mind readers with the patience of a saint when dealing with folks with dementia who can be violent, angry,...

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Wisconsin laws and regulations for memory care facilities

Memory care units in Wisconsin are considered a type of assisted living, which the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Division of Quality Assurance licenses. There are three types of assisted living facilities in Wisconsin that can offer memory care: residential care apartment complexes (RCAC), community-based residential facilities (CBRF), and adult family homes (AFH). Memory care units located in these facilities must obey assisted living regulations, in addition to dementia-related policies.

RCACs, CBRFs, and AFHs don’t need a specific license to offer memory care. However, when obtaining or renewing their assisted living license, they must disclose specific information about how they’ll help those with dementia. What must be shared varies depending on the facility.

Residential care apartment complex memory unit requirements

Besides marketing the facility as providing a specialized memory care unit and completing a disclosure form, RCACs only need to comprehensively assess potential residents before admission. The assessment involves the resident’s active participation in gauging their physical/mental condition and learning what services the RCAC will need to provide.[01]

Community-based residential facility memory unit requirements

At licensure, CBRFs must state they will provide care for people with irreversible dementia such as Alzheimer’s. The facility must submit a description of the residents’ special needs and how they will be met to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Division of Quality Assurance. This statement should also include structured activity programming information and how the facility will integrate it into the daily routines of residents with dementia.

Before admission, the facility assesses a prospective resident to identify their care needs, physical/mental condition, and what services they require to develop a care plan. This care plan must be finalized within 30 days of admission and reviewed annually or anytime a resident’s condition changes and warrants changes to their care plan.[01]

Adult family home memory unit requirements

Like the other assisted living facility types, AFHs must make it publicly known they’re going to serve people with dementia. As part of the licensing process, the facility must develop a program statement describing the number of individuals the unit is willing to accept and how it will meet their needs.

Within 30 days of admission, the facility will develop a written assessment of new residents, as well as a personalized care plan. The assessment’s format depends on the facility, but it must thoroughly identify the person’s needs and physical/mental abilities.[01]

Memory care staff education and training requirements

Memory care staff don’t need dementia-related education prior to being hired, nor are there direct staff-to-patient ratios. Nonetheless, state regulations note facilities must have enough employees to meet residents’ needs 24 hours a day. Staff in all three facilities must undergo memory care training that addresses managing the psychological needs of those with dementia within 90 days of employment.

CBRF training is more specific, with required topics including:[01]

  • The characteristics of those with dementia, such as their physical, social, and mental needs
  • Specific medications or treatments residents may need
  • Program services the facility offers to residents
  • Meeting the needs of residents with several diagnoses
  • Maintaining or increasing social participation, self-direction, self-care, and vocational abilities

Wisconsin Department of Health contact information

Wisconsin Department of Health Services
1 West Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53703

Phone: 608-266-1865

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Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

How to look up the latest inspection and complaint reports

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Division of Quality Assurance inspects and monitors all three types of assisted living facilities. CBRFs are the most strictly regulated, with licensing specialists inspecting facilities every two years through unannounced surveys. While there, the specialist records any violations in a Statement of Deficiencies (SoD) report. Facilities must acknowledge the problem(s) and develop a Plan of Correction (PoC) explaining the amendment(s) and any systems in place to ensure violations do not happen again. The inspections can occur earlier in response to filed complaints or to confirm a facility corrected any noted deficiencies.

The department has the authority, but isn’t required, to inspect RCACs or AFHs. Because of this, residents in these facilities must be notified pre-admission that the department doesn’t regularly visit or inspect them. The department does conduct inspections in response to complaints, though. Complaint inspections follow the same procedures as CBRFs.

Wisconsin has a thorough online provider search tool you can use to find a facility’s inspection, complaint, violation, and SoD reports. Facilities can be found by entering geographical information or checking any of the boxes under the “assisted living facilities” provider/facility type category and hitting the search button. The long-term care ombudsman service can also answer any questions you have concerning a facility’s violation history.

References

  1. Assisted Living State Regulatory Review. (2022). Wisconsin.

  2. Compendium of Residential Care and Assisted Living Regulations and Policy. (2015). Wisconsin.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.

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