The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Madison, WI for 2024
Madison, Wisconsin, is the state’s capital and is ranked #6 of all U.S. cities on the Caring Senior Living Report. It’s home to UW Health University Hospital, which according to U.S. News and World Report rankings is considered among the top 50 medical facilities in the nation for geriatrics, orthopedics, gynecology and gastroenterology. The Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey 2021 reports that, on average, seniors pay $5,339 a month for home care in Madison. The price of home health care may be higher depending on the provider — home health care differs from home care as the former requires the involvement of licensed medical professionals.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Madison– complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.
Home Care Agencies in Madison, WI
31 Results
Cornerstone Caregiving - Fitchburg, WI
1912 Marketplace Drive Suite 104, Fitchburg, WI, 53719
Agrace - Fitchburg, WI
2906 Marketplace Drive , Fitchburg, WI, 53719
Angels at Home - Madison, WI
6401 Odana Road Suite #15 , Madison, WI, 53719
Village Caregiving
345 W Washington Ave Unit 311, Madison, WI, 53703
Barako Home Care LLC
1421 S. Park St, Madison, WI, 53715
Agrace Age at Home
5395 E Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI, 53711
Agrace Adult Day Center
1702 W Beltline Hwy , Madison, WI, 53713
What you can do with Caring
Paying for Home Care in Madison, WI
The Cost of Home Care in Madison, WI
Madison’s average monthly cost is 7% higher than the U.S. average, but 3.5% lower than the Wisconsin average, according to Genworth Financial data. Home care prices range throughout the state from a high of $6,101 in southeastern Milwaukee to a low of $5,053 in central Wisconsin’s Green Bay. Appleton’s average monthly price of $5,339 matches Madison’s. Fond du Lac, which is on the opposite side of Lake Winnebago from Appleton, sees average monthly prices that are roughly $380 higher.Â
Madison
$5,339
Wisconsin
$5,529
The United States
$4,957
Appleton
$5,339
Milwaukee
$6,101
Green Bay
$5,053
Fond du Lac
$5,720
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Madison, WI
The most expensive long-term care option in Madison is nursing home care, which is 46% costlier than in-home care at $8,851 a month. Home health care, which is similar to home care but performed by licensed medical professionals, has the same average price as home care. Assisted living care is roughly 10% less expensive than home care and can be the best choice for seniors who like the idea of staying social in their retirement years. Adult day health care is available for less than half the price of any other option.Â
Home Care
$5,339
Home Health Care
$5,339
Adult Day Health Care
$2,019
Assisted Living
$4,800
Nursing Home Care (semiprivate room)
$8,851
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Madison, WI
Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.
- Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
- Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
- Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
- Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
- Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.
Madison Home Care Resources
Home care services are only one of the pieces needed for seniors to gracefully age in place. There are many services and programs that are low-cost or free, that enable seniors to enjoy an independent lifestyle in the comfort of their own home, such as help with home modifications, meal delivery services, and more. Below, we’ve compiled a few of the most helpful resources in Madison:
Resource | Contact | Address | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program | (608) 266-8234 | 101 E. Wilson St., 9th​ Floor, Madison, WI 53703 | Through this program, eligible households receive help to pay their monthly energy costs. Services covered include heating, electricity and energy emergency situations. Assistance is provided through a one-time grant available during the heating season. Electric assistance is also offered, but the program only funds a portion of non-heating costs. Qualifying applicants must have a gross income at or below 60% of the state median. |
Weatherization Program | (608) 246-3737 | 3841 Kipp St., Madison, WI 53718 | This statewide program helps low-income households reduce their energy usage and utility bills. Services include wall and attic insulation, air leakage reduction, refrigerator and freezer replacement, air sealing and furnace repair. To be eligible, applicants must reside in Dane or Green County and their earnings can’t exceed 60% of the state median income. Qualifying property owners or tenants must have also been approved for Energy Assistance in the 12 months prior to applying. |
Minor Home Repair Program | (608) 246-3737 | 3841 Kipp St., Madison, WI 53718 | This program provides low-cost structural repairs and accessibility modifications to qualifying property owners. After an initial quality inspection is performed, the program offers window and door replacement, repair of leaking toilets, sinks and faucets, and the installation of safety railings, ramps, decks, grab bars and landings. Eligible applicants must own their home in Madison and meet house value limits. Households must also have a gross income at or below 80% of the Dane County median. |
Meals on Wheels of Wisconsin | (608) 276-7598 | 700 S. Park St., Madison, WI 53715 | Meals on Wheels delivers daily noontime meals to homebound seniors. Proteins, cereals or bread, vegetables, fruits and milk are included in the menu. There are specific options for those who need vegetarian, low-sodium or soft food. Volunteers work from Monday through Friday, and they can also provide a safety check and companion services. Meals are offered at a low cost, and funding is available for qualifying applicants. |
Library Home Services | (608) 266-6314 | 201 W. Mifflin St., Madison, WI 53703 | This program of the Madison Public Library delivers reading materials to seniors unable to leave their homes. Volunteers also deliver to retirement homes and assisted living facilities. Along with regular books, individuals can borrow large-print books, audiobooks, magazines, CDs and DVDs. The service is available to residents of Madison who are homebound or have an ongoing physical condition. |
Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care
Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – often times it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.
Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care
If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.