Madison, Wisconsin, offers excellent memory care options to seniors with dementia. As the capital of Wisconsin, Madison has a strong senior living infrastructure and is ranked as one of the top 25 U.S. cities to retire in.
A Place for Mom partners with multiple memory care facilities within Madison, Wisconsin. In these communities, you can find comprehensive, attentive care for your loved one with memory loss. This guide includes the cost of memory care in Madison, tips on how to pay, local laws and regulations, transportation options, health care, and senior-friendly activities.
10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Madison, WI
Madison, Wisconsin, offers excellent memory care options to seniors with dementia. As the capital of Wisconsin, Madison has a strong senior living infrastructure and is ranked as one of the top 25 U.S. cities to retire in.Read more
A Place for Mom partners with multiple memory care facilities within Madison, Wisconsin. In these communities, you can find comprehensive, attentive care for your loved one with memory loss. This guide includes the cost of memory care in Madison, tips on how to pay, local laws and regulations, transportation options, health care, and senior-friendly activities.
Madison Memory Care Facilities | 989 Reviews
My mother was there when she lived in Wisconsin it was good but it was like a 4 out of 5 compared to the place mother moved to in California. There were not nearly as many volunteers at Harbor House and the...
My mother in law was alright with it, but we never moved her stuff there because it didn't have a warm feeling and it was also harder for me to get to (I'm the primary care giver). I wasn't sold on it for...
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- Compare local facilities
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- What families are saying about alzheimers care in Madison
- Costs of memory care in the Madison area
- How people pay for memory care in Madison
- Understand laws and regulations for memory care in Madison
- Get to know memory care in Madison
- What to expect from memory care living in Madison
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with Madison? Highlights for seniors
What families are saying about alzheimers care in Madison
Recent reviews for alzheimers care in Madison
Charter Senior Living of Madison
Brookdale Middleton Century Avenue
The Ridge at Madison
Costs of memory care in the Madison area
Memory care in Madison costs on average $6,460 a month. This monthly fee includes the following services:
- Rent for a private or semi-private room
- Personal care services, such as mobility assistance
- Dementia-specific care services
- Daily meals and snacks
- Housekeeping and maintenance
- Access to amenities, such as a gym
Memory care tends to be more expensive than assisted living because it requires more staff training and specialized environments. In Madison, assisted living costs $6,200 a month on average.
Madison, Wisconsin, is an affordable city with a cost of living index that reflects the national average. However, it’s one of the most expensive places to live in Wisconsin. Local senior living costs reflect this, as memory care on average in Wisconsin costs $5,000 a month.
The following charts illustrate the baseline cost of memory care in Madison, before any additional fees. We recommend reading this chart as a comparison between Madison and nearby areas.
Average monthly cost of Alzheimers Care in Madison, WI vs. nearby cities
Madison, WI
How people pay for memory care in Madison
Paying for a memory care stay can be one of the most arduous aspects of deciding to stay in one. You can help your loved one pay with personal income or savings, VA benefits, or public options such as Medicare and Medicaid. Here, we’ll explore each payment strategy and introduce resources that can help you finance your memory care.
If you’re exploring a memory care facility for your loved one, financing it through personal means can be an effective way to get the process going. This can include using private savings, cashing in on hard-earned Social Security benefits and pension payouts, or leveraging the fruits of an investment portfolio. Try exploring some of the other options below as well.
Number of veterans who live in Madison as of 2021
About 26% of Madison veterans are 75+
Upward of 2,500 senior veterans in Madison are 75 years or older.[03] The city has a slew of options available to those looking to finance memory care stays via VA benefits. For example, the VA Aid and Attendance benefit can help cover costs by adding an additional amount of money to the monthly Veterans Pension. Many of A Place for Mom’s partnering memory care facilities offer discounts for veterans, so be sure to ask as you tour facilities.
An assortment of veterans services offices and organizations (VSOs) can help your family determine what might apply to your loved one’s circumstance. VSOs are VA-vetted organizations that support veterans and their families in applying for benefits. In Madison, reaching out to the Dane County Veterans Service Office, Veterans of Foreign Wars Department or Day Post, and the American Legion can help if you’re unsure whether your loved one qualifies for benefits.
Ask your Senior Living Advisor about the options for veterans in your area. A Place for Mom has partnered with USAA, and together they have led to over $8 million of secured veteran’s benefits for seniors using our service.
Resources for Madison Veterans
Dane County Veterans Service Office
1709 Aberg Ave., Suite 2
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 608-266-4158
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Wisconsin
4622 Dutch Mill Road
Madison, WI 53716
Phone: 608-221-2576
Veterans of Foreign Wars Day Post 7591
301 Cottage Grove Road
Madison, WI 53716
Phone: 608-221-9326
Medicaid, the health insurance program for those with low incomes, won’t cover all memory care expenses, but it can help. Wisconsin Medicaid may cover much of the costs for your loved one’s memory care through the Family Care Program, the IRIS Program, or Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers.
The Family Care Program and the IRIS Program are similar. They’re both for seniors who need long-term care. Both programs may pay for room and board in a memory care facility, although the amount paid depends on the individual’s income and health status. The IRIS Program allows for more individual choice about where seniors receive care, but pays for less of the care overall than the Family Care Program. Seniors who need skilled nursing care in Madison should consider the Institutional Medical Assistance program.
Memory care residents 65 and older who are in need of prescription assistance can sign up for the state’s SeniorCare program for $30 a year. The assistance is based on income and is for people who are 65+.
You can view a highly comprehensive Wisconsin Medicaid eligibility handbook, which also contains helpful details on how to apply. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services also offers a Job Center to assist those trying to determine eligibility and navigate the application process.
In addition to these resources, the state’s Board on Aging and Long-Term Care and corresponding Ombudsman Program, and the local Area Agency on Aging, are ready to help. These resources can help you apply for benefits other than medical coverage, too.
Madison resident Medicaid resources
Board on Aging and Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
1402 Pankratz St., Suite 111
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 800-815-0015
Dane County Area Agency on Aging
2865 N. Sherman Ave., Northside Town Center
Madison WI, 53704
Phone: 608-261-9930
Email: AAA@countyofdane.com
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program available for individuals who are disabled or over age 65.[05] Medicare won’t cover the cost of a memory care facility, but it can still be helpful. Medicare covers medical needs for people over 65. This includes things such as necessary medical equipment, medications, hospice care, and preventive health services.[06] Medicare will also cover some in-home health services for residents of a memory care facility.[07]
You can find plenty of help in Madison to understand your loved one’s benefits and even get help with the application process.
Use these options to find Medicare coverage in Madison:
- The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), offers free counseling to those who call the Medigap Helpline or Medigap Part D and Prescription Drug Helpline.
- The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dane County is another helpful resource when applying for public benefits.
- Wisconsin’s Board on Aging and Long-Term Care has an Ombudsman Program that helps answer questions about aging and elder rights.
- Local Social Security offices can also provide specific information regarding Medicare eligibility and coverage.
- Wisconsin’s Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program can help pay for Medicare premiums and copayment for low-income seniors. Medicare members diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia can get some of their memory care costs paid for, though not all.[08]
- My Choice Wisconsin offers five different managed care programs to help people with a variety of long-term care needs. Your loved one can apply for My Choice Wisconsin over the phone, in person, or by mail. Lastly, Wisconsin’s SeniorCare helps with some prescription coverage and costs just $30 a year.
Resources for Madison Medicare recipients
Madison Social Security Administration Office
6011 Odana Road
Madison, WI 53719
Phone: 866-770-2262
Fax: 833-950-3737
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dane County
2865 N Sherman Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 608-240-7400
Fax: 608-240-7401
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Board on Aging and Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
1402 Pankratz St., Suite 111
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 800-815-0015
Understand laws and regulations for memory care in Madison
Madison’s memory care facilities in Madison follow strict laws to keep residents safe and healthy and family members involved. Memory care facilities across Wisconsin are regulated by the Department of Health, and are classified as a type of assisted living. There are three types of assisted living in the state:
- Residential Care Apartment Complexes: This assisted living type is defined as one that provides room and board, personal care, up to 28 hours a week of supportive care, and nursing services.
- Community-Based Residential Facilities: These offer room and board, support services, and supervision, as well as up to three hours of weekly nursing care.
- Adult Family Homes: These are for a small group of just three to four residents. This includes room and board, care and treatment, and up to seven hours per week of nursing care.
These are all expected to maintain a license and fall under the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Division of Quality Assurance. The Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) inspects senior living facilities every two years. Their inspections can be unannounced. You can check a facility’s compliance on this provider search website. If you have additional questions, contact the DQA Bureau of Assisted Living Regional Offices.
Memory care regulations
In addition to assisted living requirements, memory care facilities must also meet the following requirements:[09]
- Facilities must be staffed enough to meet residents’ needs on a 24-hour basis.
- All staff that offer memory care must complete training in managing the medical and psychological needs of those with dementia. This training must be completed within 90 days of employment.
- Administrators and care staff must all receive 15 hours of continuing education each year.
- Facilities should reach out to family members with updates regularly.
Wisconsin’s Caregiver Law established specific caregiver programs that were created to ensure the staff and these types of facilities have what they need to provide the best possible care.
Wisconsin Department of Health contact information
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
1 W. Wilson St.
Madison, WI, 53703
Phone: 608-266-1865
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
COVID-19 regulations for Madison memory care facilities
There are currently no COVID-19 mandates for memory care facilities in Madison. However, there are some Wisconsin state guidelines to help with prevention.
Vaccinations. Vaccinations are not required for people living in or visiting memory care facilities.
Masking. Memory care residents and guests are encouraged, but not required, to wear masks when within the facilities.
Facility cleanliness. Staff members are asked to regularly disinfect themselves and common areas.
CDC guidelines. The CDC guidelines are fluid. To stay updated to any changes or see additional information, click here.
Get to know memory care in Madison
Number of people we have referred to our partner communities in Madison in 2022
Average age of residents we referred to our partner memory care communities in Madison in 2022
Gender split: 60% female
What to expect from memory care living in Madison
Memory care facilities offer personal care to people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other kinds of dementia. What makes memory care facilities different from assisted living facilities is that the staff specialize in working with people who have memory loss. Daily activities are tailored to soothe and engage seniors with dementia. Memory care facilities often also have features designed specifically for dementia patients, such as circular hallways to allow for wandering.
Madison memory care residents can expect someone to be available to help them at all hours of the day or night. Exactly 100% of A Place for Mom’s partnering memory care communities in Madison have 24-hour awake staff who are there to comfort and redirect residents. You can also expect safe and secure indoor common areas. Depending on the community, this may include secure courtyards or a wander management system. Since Madison experiences cold winters, almost all of A Place for Mom’s partnering memory care facilities offer indoor walking spaces.
Residents have access to on-site specialists dedicated to speech therapy, medication administration, and disorientation care. Memory care facilities in Madison tend to have more security features than assisted living facilities to prevent elopements.
Your loved one’s local memory care facility will provide at least some of following amenities to support their quality of life, along with opportunities for engagement with other residents:
- An activity director
- Arts and crafts center
- Enclosed courtyard
- Indoor and outdoor common areas
- A library
- TV Lounge
Assisted living and memory care
There are 16 assisted living communities throughout Madison that offer memory care, making this the city’s most popular and available type of care in our partner network. Residents can expect memory care treatment along with daily assistance on needs such as bathing, dressing, and administering prescription medications.
Combination of assisted living, independent living, and memory care facilities
Seen as a more modern form of care, the three hybrid-style facilities we partner with have options for seniors needing daily assistance in memory care and assisted living, or elderly tenants who are still able to live with little to no help in independent living. Senior tenants are all afforded on-site housing and meals, with varying types of on-site care available as needed to allow for changing needs to be met easily.
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Unfamiliar with Madison? Highlights for seniors
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Madison as of 2021
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Madison population
Average annual Social Security income for Madison seniors 65 and older as of 2021
Health care for seniors in Madison
Two well-known major medical centers in Madison can provide general, geriatric, and other types of care for city residents along with the local VA hospital.
University Hospital in Madison
University Hospital in Madison is the top-ranked health care provider in Madison. Memory care doctors offer dementia care on-site and participate in research at the University of Wisconsin.
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison is the No.2 ranked hospital in Madison and the sixth-best medical center in Wisconsin. The system performs highly in lung surgery, spinal fusions, stroke care, and other specialties and procedures.
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans’ Hospital
Madison’s VA hospital received the highest national award for patient experience in 2022. The hospital offers a wide-variety of care including cancer, cardiology, emergency, geriatrics, mental health, neurology, orthopedics, primary care, transplant surgery, social work and more.
Transportation for seniors in Madison
Though memory care residents require a more watchful eye for their own safety, it’s critical that they have some kind of outlet to travel outside of the facility. No senior with dementia should ever travel alone though, even on public transportation.
According to our research, about 81% of the memory care facilities we partner with have at-cost transportation for residents. Some of these communities offer complimentary transportation as well — a total of 29% of our partnered communities offer complimentary transportation.
The County Coordinated Group Rides (CCGR) services cater to adults with developmental disabilities, frail adults, and adults with developmental disabilities enrolled in Long-Term Support through either Family Care, Family Care Partnership, or IRIS. Visit their website for more information about the application process and reservation details for additional transportation provided by Dane County Human Services. Families can reserve rides for their loved ones.
Senior activities in Madison
Seniors with memory loss can benefit immensely from indoor and outdoor activities, both of which Madison has in spades. Whether your loved one is enjoying on-site classes or activities within the memory care facility, or spending the day out on the town with a friend or loved one, there is something for all seniors in this quintessential town. We recommend always joining your loved one for outings, or ensuring that they have a caregiver or a friend who can support them.
Culture and history
Seniors can reminisce with their family, admire art, and participate in crafts at these locations:
- Wisconsin State Capitol. Seniors can tour the Wisconsin State Capitol for free on most weekdays without a reservation. If you plan on going with a group larger than 10 people, call ahead to make sure there’s space. The Capitol also offers virtual tours of the rooms, art, and history of the building on their website.
- Wisconsin Veterans Museum. This museum honors the veterans from across the state. The museum is free to all visitors and is open every day except for Mondays. This museum doesn’t offer wheelchairs for visitors but is handicap accessible.
- The Wisconsin Historical Museum. The museum is currently undergoing extensive renovations, the Wisconsin Historical Museum is currently operating pop-up exhibits around the city for free. You can find the hours and locations on the museum’s website.
- The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. This museum has free admission and is open from Thursday to Sunday after noon. The museum doesn’t offer accessible, on-site parking, but the museum is wheelchair accessible.
- Chazen Museum of Art. The Chazen Museum of Art is on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Admission is always free, and there’s a café and coffee shop on-site.
Outdoor attractions
Seniors and their loved ones can also explore Madison’s natural beauty together. There are outdoor spaces that are senior-friendly in all weather conditions.
The Picnic Point on Marsh Loop Trail is an outdoor path that’s easy to navigate. Families may also consider exploring the UW arboretum and the Howard Temin Lakeshore Path. All seniors with dementia should bring a companion with them when walking outside.
You and your loved one may also enjoy some of Madison’s many accessible outdoor parks, such as the Washington Manor Park, Vilas Henry Park, and Warner Park.
Senior activities in Madison
Memory care patients are a vibrant group that can hugely benefit from indoor and outdoor activities, both of which Madison has in spades. Whether your loved one is enjoying on-site classes or activities within the memory care facility of your choice, or spending the day out on the town with a friend or loved one, there is something for all seniors in this quintessential town.
The Wisconsin State Capitol, Wisconsin Veterans Museum, The Wisconsin Historical Museum, The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and Chazen Museum of Art are all fun, cultured adventures that memory care residents and their loved ones can experience together. The Madison Senior Center also has craft sessions, movie matinees, and a slew of other relaxed activities for elderly visitors and their families.
Memory care patients and their loved ones can also explore Madison’s natural beauty together. Stroll through Picnic Point on Marsh Loop Trail, the UW arboretum, and Howard Temin Lakeshore Path, for a start. You can also visit some of Madison’s many accessible outdoor parks like Washington Manor Park, Vilas Henry Park, and Warner Park. Here you’ll find plenty of peaceful outdoor space to enjoy a quiet stroll with your loved ones, sit and watch the people, or just take in the fresh air.
Frequently Asked Questions
Azura Memory Care of Stoughton, The Waterford at Fitchburg and Brookdale Middleton Century Avenue are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Madison, WI. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Madison is 4596.29 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
The 61 memory care facilities near you in Madison, Wisconsin typically provide housing, therapies, and care tailored to those who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. To find memory care in Madison, Wisconsin, browse our detailed listings showing photos, floor plans, amenities, activities, and reviews from real families.
Browse A Place for Mom’s listings for memory care in Madison, Wisconsin, to take a virtual tour. Our local senior living experts can arrange for a live tour of these communities as well.
The cost of memory care facilities in Madison, Wisconsin ranges from $1500 to $13484. The average Memory Care cost in Madison, Wisconsin is $4596.29. Prices often vary based on care provided, amenities, unit size, and more.
The cost of memory care in Madison, Wisconsin typically starts at $1500. A Place for Mom’s local, expert senior living advisors can help you find affordable memory care facilities near you and offer advice on how to lower costs and pay for care with VA benefits or public payment options.
References
WalletHub. (2022). Best & Worst Places to Retire.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population Estimates 2021: Madison, Wisconsin [Data set].
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2023, March 8). Medicaid Programs for Seniors.
United States Department of Health & Human Services. (2022, December 8). Who’s eligible for Medicare? HHS.gov.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. What Medicare covers. Medicare.gov.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Home health services. Medicare.gov.
Alzheimer’s Association. Medicare.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2015). Compendium of residential care and assisted living regulations and policy: 2015 edition.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best Hospitals in Madison, WI.
U.S. News and World Report. (n.d.). UW Health University Hospital: Geriatrics.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Madison.
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