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Not many midsize U.S. cities provide the wide variety of perks that Madison, Wisconsin, has to offer. With its scenic lakefronts, bustling social atmosphere, and array of engaging cultural and historical attractions, it’s no surprise that Madison is known as the 22nd-best major city for retirees and the 5th-best city in the nation when it comes to quality of life for senior residents.
Madison’s assisted living communities offer long-term living options for seniors as well as individualized care from trained professionals. Although many assisted living residents are somewhat active individuals, they may require help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as getting dressed or bathing. Besides this assistance with everyday activities, seniors in Madison’s assisted living communities will have access to medication management, facility trips and outings, special dietary options, and more — ensuring they have highly convenient living arrangements tailored to their needs.
A Place for Mom partners with 30 assisted living facilities located within a 10-mile radius of central Madison that will ensure seniors get the care they need whenever they need it. In this guide, A Place for Mom lists available facilities in Madison and discusses payment and support options, local health care options, transportation information, and the city’s sights and sounds.
Types of care available in Madison, WI
Assisted Living
My mom has been here for about a year. We love that she can change from independent to assisted living while staying in the same unit. She has a nice apartment, with one bedroom, a den, full kitchen and a private patio. It's a beautiful building and she likes her place. The activities are great and the grounds are really nice. Residents and staff are friendly. Overall, we're very happy with the community. There are a few drawbacks. Communication with management is difficult. While they're friendly and professional, it takes a long time to get a response. Some issues (errors in billing, ongoing problems with appliances) can require multiple follow-ups. Services like housekeeping are inconsistent, sometimes they don't show up or don't do a lot of cleaning. When she moved in, they didn't provide an orientation so we had to figure out many things on our own. A "welcome buddy" would be a nice service to offer. We can overlook these things though because of all of the other benefits.
Thrilled with the care and attention my Mother received while at this Brookdale. It felt like I was pet of a family! The food is wonderful and I enjoyed that when visiting. They also have fun activities for residents and their family members. Thanks for all you did and I would highly suggest anyone to move their loved one into their community.
The staff that is there are wonderful, they have done a great job given the circumstances but there is a high turnover rate outside of the day to day staff. The director is trying her best, but communication with the staff and families has started to lack. The life enrichment coordinator is fantastic and wonderful, she wears many hats there. We want them to improve, once stability is provided everything will fall into place.
5440 Caddis Bend, Fitchburg, WI 53711
My overall experiences at the Waterford has been a positive one. I enjoy all the activities and have made new friends. All the staff make me feel like I am a family member.
Get to know the warm, friendly environment at The Waterford at Fitchburg and you'll see how thoughtful amenities and world-class services come together in harmony. Residents at our Independent Living and Assisted Living community in Fitchburg, WI, are afforded the privacy and freedom to live a...
413 & 429 S. Yellowstone Drive, Madison, WI 53719
Pricing promotions expiring soon
What we like most about the Brookdale Madison West community is the pleasant and very helpful staff team. The community is also clean. Based on the experience we have had so far, we would recommend this...
A Beautiful Place to Call HomeImagine trading in your household chores and responsibilities for a lifestyle rich in quality friendships, exciting activities and personalized care. Wouldn’t that be the dream?Here at our assisted living and memory care community in Madison, Wisconsin, your dreams...
7102 Timberwood Drive, Madison, WI 53711
The facility is well cared for. The staff is good. I know they struggle like all facilities right now in getting good workers. My brother is lactose intolerant and they do a good job of providing him with...
Timberwood Lodge Assisted Living is a new Assisted Living & Memory Care Community in the Madison, WI area that offers an intimate setting. Located in a residential area (Country Grove Neighborhood), Timberwood Lodge was opened in 2018 - within walking distance of restaurants, pharmacies, and...
2879 Fish Hatchery, Madison, WI 53713
Always treated respecfully and all of the workers have been kind and professional in all of my interactions with said employees. I attended a picnic at the facility last summer and everything was handled...
At The Ridge, our mission is simple: creating environments where moments of joy, independence and wellness are the focus each and every day. We have a Med Staff on site 24 hours a day, dedicated to your health, safety and well-being. Located in Fitchburg, we serve all of Madison and the...
618-719 Jupiter Drive, Madison, WI 53718
My loved one was previously a resident at Oak Park Place Madison and I visited about once a week. Overall, his experience at this facility was good. From what I could tell, the staff was nice to my loved...
Welcome to Oak Park Place! Located on Madison's far east side, Oak Park Place offers options beyond traditional senior living for the lifestyle you or your loved one deserve. Imagine an all-inclusive list of amenities and services that support a carefree, independent way of life for residents...
6550 Schroeder Road, Madison, WI 53711
The common areas, dining, etc. was very clean. The cleanliness of my loved one's apartment fell a little bit short of our expectations. The staff are friendly, engaging, and they treat the residents as...
BrightStar Senior Living is an assisted living community in the welcoming, scenic city of Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin. Our beautiful community is centrally located in a quiet residential area near the West Beltline Highway, providing easy access to area attractions and the nearby cities of...
8210 Highview Dr., Madison, WI 53719
A room opened up and so we moved her. All Saints has a very well-established and robust memory program. Mom seems to be happy there. These retirement communities are super expensive. That said, All Saints...
All Saints Assisted Living and Memory Care offers seniors Spirited Community Living! The residence is part of the All Saints Neighborhood, which offers living options like cottages, condos and apartments for those 55 and better. As a person's needs change, the assisted living residence has...
6916 Century Avenue, Middleton, WI 53562
Pricing promotion expiring soon
I have lived here a year now and feel like I’m part of a big family. I really like the people, they are so caring and nice. The food is so good! [name removed] keeps me full and is great!
Do more every dayLive your life to the fullest with a little help from us. If you’re looking for freedom and fun in senior living, we might be the right fit for you. Located in Middleton, Wisconsin, near Madison, you’ll have the care you need if you need it at our Assisted Living community. We...
3820 Tribeca Dr, Middleton, WI 53562
Pricing promotion expiring soon
We love that they have both independent and assisted people living in same area. Also love the friendly staff and so much light in the common spaces. The room sizes are large and modern feeling. The...
See what life can be like at Cardinal View Senior Living. From our 5-Star restaurant-style dining room to our full theater, everyday is a gift waiting to be unwrapped.We train our staff to cater to your every need, providing an experience that seamlessly blends comfort, convenience, and care. Our...
275 N City Station Dr, Sun Prairie, WI 53590
My Dad has been at Talamor Sun Prairie for a year now. He commented recently that this was a nice place to be. Everyone is so friendly there.
At Talamore Senior Living our engaging environment is thoughtfully designed to enrich the rhythms of our residents' lives. We focus on fostering meaningful relationships, creating engaging experiences, and providing exceptional care.Our brand new community is designed to be welcoming for...
200 Cross Street, Waunakee, WI 53597
They were AMAZING. My mom was not here very long, but they really treated her like their own. A few of the staff members cried just as hard as we did when she passed away. We knew that if for some reason...
Sienna Crest of Waunakee is a full service facility located in a small town of the heartland. We have caring staff with decades of combined experience that will treat your family like their own. Our friendly residents will welcome your loved one during our group activities and outings. Sienna...
1125 N Edge Trail, Verona, WI 53593
The food is a bright spot, especially with their new expanded, restaurant style menu. Their promise of this change was one big reason I chose Cedarhurst. The common interior areas can seem a bit dingy. This...
Cedarhurst of Verona is a senior living community located in Verona, Dane County, Wisconsin, a short drive southwest of Madison. The community features apartment-style living designed to offer residents a high degree of comfort and independence, all while they benefit from the support needed.The...
6701 Stonefield Road, Middleton, WI 53562
Good location, met our budget, impressed with facility, staff, and level of care. Very good staff, and our loved one is very happy there. I would recommend to others.
Built for Comfort and FamiliarityRegardless of where your family member is on life’s journey, they deserve to enjoy their golden years surrounded by comfort, peace and beauty. If they join us at our warm and welcoming memory care community in Middleton, Wisconsin, that is precisely the kind of...
1120 Connery Cove, Waunakee, WI 53597
Very nice facility. The Director is excellent. My friend really enjoys the food and all of the interns. Everyone is very friendly and they do an excellent job with meds, laundry, social activities, and care...
Home Again's newest community in Waunakee is Now Open!This beautiful new location has many new unique features like an on-site chef, in-house beauty salon, movie theater, pub and entertainment center, lounge and coffee areas, private dining rooms, gourmet kitchen, wellness center, private meeting...
4897 Innovation Dr, DeForest, WI 53532
From the first days my husband has been there to now, the place has improved so much. The addition of a Director and RN has made it such a better place. Always someone there to be able to talk to on issues...
The Koselig House Assisted Living and Memory CareNamed in honor of our owner's beloved Grandmother Marion, The Koselig House is the premiere provider of Assisted Living and Memory Care in DeForest, Wisconsin. Our team provides round-the-clock specialized care for seniors looking for assistance...
1040 Quinn Drive, Waunakee, WI 53597
They, like everyone, have issues finding staff so are sometimes short. However, their staff is all well trained. My Dad is doing very well there. Much better than at his old place. Based on our experience so...
Homestead Living is a family owned and operated business that has been serving Dane County's Memory Care needs for 25 years. We are located in the village of Waunakee, WI. The purpose of Homestead Living is to provide a caring place for persons living with Alzheimer's or other dementias. ...
900 O'Keeffe Ave, Sun Prairie, WI 53590
We chose Prairie Gardens because it is a very local place and we actually knew some of the caretakers who worked here so it was more of a familiar feel. It is a super nice place and everyone was informative....
Prairie Gardens Assisted Living for a Better Quality of Life Offering a Lifestyle Built on the Values of Personal Care, Comfort, and Security Services & Amenities Jerry & Suzy Harbort, RN, Owners / Managers of Prairie Gardens offers an array of amenities and services designed to provide an...
6234 Maywood Avenue, Middleton, WI 53562
Cleaning of residents apartments is sub-par. Even though the administrator states they do, the cleaning service they employ does no dusting, no cleaning mirrors, no bed sheet changing. It appears that all...
Heritage Middleton is an assisted living center offering senior citizens the opportunity to maintain their independence and enjoy their lifestyle. Heritage Middleton prides itself on providing luxurious and spacious apartments that feature large closets, private baths and modern conveniences....
5601 Burke Rd, Madison, WI 53718
I would say that my experience had been very good. Cedarhurst is the place I visited that was the best. I would recommend to others.
Cedarhurst of Madison provides truly person-directed care, taking the time to know and work with each resident as an individual and providing them with care that’s as unique as they are. In Assisted Living, our caring, compassionate staff, first-rate amenities, new community and welcoming,...
1601 Wheeler Rd, Madison, WI 53704
The staff are very caring, and they work very well with our family. Our loved one has had a lot of issues, and they have kept the lines of communication very open. They work well to get her what she needs...
We are continuing to Admit New Residents, where possible and appropriate, to help residents and families in need.We are offering Virtual Tours of our Community via Zoom, facetime, APFM community APP and Google Duo. If you're interested in learning more or want to get your Virtual tour set up let...
111 Owen Road, Monona, WI 53716
Honestly, I can give 5 stars in all categories, but especially with friendliness of staff and value for cost. Everyone is so professional and kind, very timely in getting back to me, taking great care of Mom
Within the doors of Heritage Monona, you'll find a warm and gentle community where daily assistance is provided with love and the utmost respect for the personal integrity of our residents. Our compassionate staff has been specially selected and carefully trained to serve with an open heart and a...
705 Ziegler Rd, Madison, WI 53714
The staff is very patient and friendly to the residents. They're very good at communication with me as well. The food is good, and they're good about serving a fair amount of fruits and vegetables. A...
At Madison Pointe Senior Living, we strive to provide each of our residents a caring, nurturing environment with dignified and respectful services at a special place that they are proud to call 'home'. We understand there is no greater comfort in life than being around people who care. Our team...
5206 Paulson Court, McFarland, WI 53558
McFarland Villa is a really great place. The staff were all very nice and accommodating, and they put up with my loved one. He did not want to live this far away from his friends so he moved. I would...
At McFarland Villa Assisted Living, we strive to provide each of our residents a caring, nurturing environment with dignified and respectful services at a special place that they are proud to call 'home'. We understand there is no greater comfort in life than being around people who care. Our...
1936 Tennyson Lane, Madison, WI 53704
My loved one is currently a resident at Tennyson Retirement Living. Overall, the experience has been positive so far. Like everyone else, they have staffing challenges. But there seems to be some steadiness...
345 W Main St, Madison, WI 53703
The staff there at Capitol Lakes Terraces are super! They are very welcoming, very caring, and very well organized. Their staff is very well trained and they really care and do a great job. The only...
Capitol Lakes Terraces is an assisted living community located in the heart of the city of Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin. Surrounded on both the north and south by Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, respectively, residents of Capitol Lakes Terraces enjoy one of the best views in the city, no matter...
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, assisted living facilities we partner with in Madison cost $5,412 monthly.[02] This pricing includes all service fees, add-ons, and care costs, but please note that individual costs may vary based on an individual resident’s chosen floor plan and additional services.
This monthly fee paid by assisted living residents in Madison covers the following:[02]
Community amenities are also included in the monthly payment at every assisted living facility in Madison. Additionally, all assisted living facilities in the area offer on-site activities.[02]
The following represent baseline fees for assisted living facilities in Madison and don’t account for additional expenses.
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When you’re paying for assisted living in Madison, you have both private and public funding options at your disposal — and many families rely on a mixture of both to fund a loved one’s stay. Payment options include private funding, assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
Here, we’ll run through the specifics of each option to help you land on the right choice.
Whether you’ve amassed the savings needed to pay for an assisted living stay in Madison or have family members willing to help out, private payment options are one way to foot the bill. Overall, personal payment can be one of the least complicated and most direct ways to pay for assisted living stays.
A healthy personal checking or savings account is a solid start. However, if a senior collects Social Security benefits or a pension, that’s another helpful financing stream. Don’t forget to look into investment portfolios or relevant insurance policies as well.
Here are some other methods you can explore if you’re looking to pay for an assisted living stay through private methods:
Because they’re classified as residential care apartment complexes, community-based residential facilities, or adult family homes by the state, Madison’s assisted living facilities fall under the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Division of Quality Assurance and are expected to be licensed.
The Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) is specifically responsible for inspecting all these assisted living facilities, and the inspections may be announced or unannounced. Facilities are surveyed every two years and are graded in these areas:
Staff and residents are observed or interviewed, and records are reviewed to ensure compliance. All surveys include safety code reviews, which look at several environmental safety factors, such as fire safety, evacuation rules, storage of hazardous materials, and required inspections.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services website features a comprehensive list of resources to help identify whether a facility is operating compliantly, including details about the caregiver background check process, certification status, how residents should be transported from assisted living facilities to hospitals, and much more.
If you want to check the compliance history of an assisted living facility or see if it has any complaints against it, reach out to the DQA Bureau of Assisted Living Regional Offices. You can also use this website to do a provider search. You’ll be able to find any Statements of Deficiencies (SODs) and what was done to correct any issues.
Wisconsin’s Caregiver Law established specific programs that are designed to help professionals in the industry provide the highest quality care possible. These include:
1 W Wilson St.
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-266-1865
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Both Madison and the state of Wisconsin have suggested precautions surrounding COVID-19, but have no current mandates. The state does provide guidance for assisted living facilities.
Vaccinations. COVID-19 vaccinations are not mandatory, but the state recommends vaccines and boosters.
Masking. Masks are not mandatory, but some facilities may require them.
Social distancing. Social distancing is not mandatory, but it is encouraged as a COVID-safe practice.
Quarantining. Regardless of their vaccination status, residents who are quarantining or have COVID-19 are asked not to participate in communal activities in assisted living facilities. Likewise, staffers with COVID-19 should not attend work.
Number of in-network assisted living facilities in market
Madison has it all: The vibrance and culture you’d expect from a college town, all the natural beauty the Badger State has to offer, and the quaint charm of a medium-sized Midwestern city.
Considering that there are also 30 assisted living options partnered with A Place for Mom within a 10-mile radius of downtown Madison, seniors can rest assured that Madison will be a top-tier place to spend their later years.
Madison’s many in-network assisted living facilities offer residents a plethora of perks that will keep them healthy and engaged. Madison’s assisted living communities will provide high-quality care for residents with amenities and support such as:
The following amenities are also typically available for vibrant seniors who enjoy leisure time and getting social with fellow residents:
All in all, Madison’s assisted living communities provide a balance of quality health-related care and the services seniors need to truly enjoy their long-term stays.
Although prospective residents can live in one of A Place for Mom’s eight partner standalone assisted living facilities, there are a wide variety of facilities in Madison that offer a combination of care types:
These wide-ranging care options can assuage seniors and families concerned about having continuity of care.
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Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Madison population
Two well-known major medical centers in Madison can provide general, geriatric, and other types of care for city residents along with the VA hospital:
University Hospital in Madison is the top-ranked health care provider in Madison.[08] It’s also listed as the 35th-best hospital nationally for geriatric care.[09]
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison is the No.2-ranked hospital in Madison[08] and the sixth-best medical center in Wisconsin.[10] The system performs highly in lung surgery, spinal fusions, stroke care, and other specialties and procedures.
Madison’s VA hospital received the highest national award for patient experience in 2022. The hospital offers a wide variety of care for veterans.
Like many other U.S. cities, Madison is best-traveled via car. Despite this, seniors in the city’s assisted living communities who don’t have their own vehicles shouldn’t worry: Madison has a variety of other transportation offerings they can take advantage of.
At the 30 assisted living facilities we partner with, 39% offer free transportation to residents. Another 74% offer it for a fee. But when loved ones are coming to visit or preparing to take a resident on an outing, other transportation options might be important, too.
Madison has 41 bus lines and other specialized services that can help seniors get to wherever they need to go. First, Metro Transit helps passengers travel throughout the city on accessible buses. Accessibility features include the following:
Passengers 65 and older or those living with disabilities can ride the Metro Transit for $1 if they present an Americans with Disabilities Act-approved transit card or Metro senior/disability card. At the same time, the city’s paratransit ensures that riders who can’t take advantage of fixed-route buses can get where they need to go.
Besides this, Dane County’s Group Access Service provides regularly scheduled drop-offs to sites throughout Madison. Similarly, Dane County’s Older Adult Transportation Assistance program also provides seniors with rides to important appointments or meetings. Accessible service is available.
Madison’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program offers door-to-door pickups and drop-offs for seniors needing rides to health appointments. Volunteers use personal vehicles, so rides aren’t always accessible.
The Madison Walk Score metrics below are out of 100 and indicate how easy or difficult it is to get around the city using a certain transportation method. These scores might be particularly useful for those visiting loved ones in assisted living facilities who need to make their way around the city.
50
35
66
Whether seniors are art lovers, social butterflies, history buffs, or anything in between, Madison has a wide variety of engaging activities to take part in and sights they’d love to see. Better yet, visiting loved ones are sure to enjoy the city as well!
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is free to visit from Thursday to Sunday from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., and fans of art can also take in displays free of charge at the Chazen Museum of Art on the University of Wisconsin’s flagship Madison campus. Its hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and on weekends from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Standing out clearly to anyone walking around downtown Madison, the Wisconsin State Capitol is open to the public and offers fascinating (and free!) tours daily.
Senior history buffs and their families will also be happy to know that the Wisconsin Veterans Museum is free to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Sundays. However, those looking for family-oriented historical fun will enjoy exploring the Wisconsin Historical Museum, which is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens and Bolz Conservatory was voted one of the “top 10 most inspiring gardens in North America” and the grounds are wheelchair accessible. The Conservatory even offers The Canopy Sessions, a concert series throughout the year among the tropical gardens. The facility is open from October through March from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. from April through September.
Outdoor Gardens:
Bolz Conservatory:
Olbrich Tram:
Animal lovers will enjoy the Henry Vilas Zoo, which is open daily from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. with free admission. The facility is wheelchair-accessible, with push wheelchairs available for rent for $5.
Azura Memory Care of Stoughton, Azura Memory Care of Clinton and Azura Memory Care of Beloit are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Madison, WI. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Madison is 4,355 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
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].
United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Benefits.gov. (n.d.). Wisconsin Medicaid.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). What Medicare covers.
Medicare Interactive. (n.d.). Home health covered services. Medicare Rights.
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).Site name. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/wi/st-marys-hospital-6450810
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Madison.
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