The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Onalaska, WI for 2024

Located on the eastern shore of scenic Lake Onalaska, Onalaska is a vibrant community that provides access to beautiful parks, age-friendly recreation and high-quality health care amenities. Of the city’s 19,000 residents, about a fifth are aged 65 and over, making it a welcoming environment for retirees. The city’s cost of living is modest compared to national norms and the state income tax laws are senior-friendly, promoting retirees’ financial stability, and several hospitals are located near the city center.

Onalaska also has several assisted living facilities to accommodate those with daily care needs. These facilities offer comfortable housing, often with apartment-style units, along with housekeeping and maintenance services, daily meals and recreational activities and outings. Many facilities are pet-friendly, and some have amenities such as swimming pools, hair salons and libraries. On average, seniors in Onalaska pay $4,263 per month for assisted living, which is well below the Wisconsin average of $4,600 and the national norm of $4,500.

This guide can help seniors determine whether assisted living in Onalaska is right for them by highlighting some benefits and drawbacks of moving to this city for long-term care. It also lists some resources for current and prospective assisted living residents. 

Assisted living facilities in Onalaska, which are officially called community-based residential facilities, are licensed and regulated through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This department conducts criminal background checks on prospective facility employees and oversees training programs. The department also publishes details on residents’ rights and the rules all facilities must follow related to care planning, staffing and services.

 

• Seniors in Onalaska don’t pay state income taxes on their Social Security benefits or income from government pensions, letting those who rely on these forms of income put more toward assisted living expenses. While other forms of retirement income are taxed at rates ranging from 3.54% to 7.65%, qualifying individuals can reduce their tax bill by claiming a retirement income exclusion.
• The cost of living in Onalaska is consistent with the state norm and about 10% lower than the national average, making this city a budget-friendly option for many seniors with fixed incomes. Local housing costs are high compared to Wisconsin norms, and residents tend to spend a little more on groceries and utilities, but opting for assisted living may give some seniors greater control over their monthly expenditures.
• Property crime occurs at about the same rate in Onalaska as in a typical U.S. city, but violent crime is comparatively rare. On a 100-point index, the city scores 36.4, about a point higher than the national norm. On the other hand, the city’s violent crime score is 8.5, which is considerably lower than the national score of 22.7. This may provide peace of mind for those considering local assisted living facilities.
• Over the course of the year, temperatures in Onalaska range from winter lows of 8 degrees Fahrenheit to summer highs of 83 degrees Fahrenheit. July is often muggy, but humidity levels are low throughout the rest of the year, and the city sees 34 inches of rain and 41 inches of snow. Many assisted living facilities have indoor and outdoor activities and amenities, letting residents stay active year-round regardless of the weather.
• There are about 414 physicians per capita in the Onalaska region, which is considerably higher than the national norm of 210. While there are no hospitals in the city, Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare La Crosse and Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center are located within about 6 miles of the city center, providing a broad scope of services to assisted living residents.

 

In Onalaska, assisted living facilities charge $4,263 per month for services and housing.

In Onalaska, assisted living residents pay $4,263 per month for long-term care. This is hundreds of dollars lower than the Wisconsin average of $4,600 and the national norm of $4,500, making this city a comparatively budget-friendly option for residential care. Local fees are a little lower than rates in Eau Claire, where seniors pay $4,375 for assisted living. Similarly, in Janesville, monthly rates exceed Onalaska’s norm by about 8%, and in Madison, care costs are 13% higher than Onalaska’s average. For those seeking more economically priced care, Fond du Lac may be a good alternative with rates at $4,175.

Assisted living facilities in Onalaska charge $4,263 for care, which is well below rates for most other senior care options in the city. Nursing homes, which provide more intensive care than assisted living facilities, charge higher monthly rates of $8,669 for housing and services. Additionally, those who obtain private care in their own homes pay 40% more for nonmedical in-home care and 45% more for skilled home health care than assisted living residents. Only adult day health care, which doesn’t include housing, is more affordable than assisted living at $1,788.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

 

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

 

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Wisconsin page.