Those aged 65 and over account for over 16% of Eau Claire County’s population of over 100,000 people. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, about one in nine people from this demographic have Alzheimer’s, which is the sixth-leading cause of death in the state. Countywide, Alzheimer’s-related deaths have increased significantly in recent years. The CDC reports that in 2014, 31 deaths were attributed to Alzheimer’s, making up about 5% of deaths, and in 2018, there were 59 Alzheimer’s-related deaths, which accounts for over 8% of fatalities. While the total death rate went up by 11% during this time frame, Alzheimer’s deaths went up by over 90%.
There are numerous memory care facilities in Eau Claire County that meet the needs of seniors and families affected by dementia. These facilities provide specialized services, such as brain games and failure-free recreational activities, along with around-the-clock care and monitoring. This guide outlines considerations for choosing memory care in Eau Claire County, including how much residents pay for services, regulations these facilities need to comply with and options for covering care costs. It also highlights local resources that provide support and guidance for those living with dementia.
Directory of Memory Care Facilities in Eau Claire County, WI
4510 Gateway Drive, Eau Claire, WI, 54701
HeatherWood Assisted Living & Memory Care is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, near I-94, restaurants and shopping centers. Visitors have high praise for the facility’s 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apa
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HeatherWood Assisted Living & Memory Care is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, near I-94, restaurants and shopping centers. Visitors have high praise for the facility’s 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments, which they say are spacious, clean and well-decorated. The facility is complimented for its many activities, which include off-site trips to shopping centers and theaters. On-site, residents can participate in exercise classes or play bingo with their friends. Visitors also compliment the facility’s friendly and caring staff, who they say make residents feel comfortable and respected during their stays.
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HeatherWood Assisted Living & Memory Care is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, near I-94, restaurants and shopping centers. Visitors have high praise for the facility’s 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apa
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HeatherWood Assisted Living & Memory Care is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, near I-94, restaurants and shopping centers. Visitors have high praise for the facility’s 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments, which they say are spacious, clean and well-decorated. The facility is complimented for its many activities, which include off-site trips to shopping centers and theaters. On-site, residents can participate in exercise classes or play bingo with their friends. Visitors also compliment the facility’s friendly and caring staff, who they say make residents feel comfortable and respected during their stays.
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3515 E. Hamilton Ave, Eau Claire, WI, 54701
Heritage Court Eau Claire was good. The memory care facility was very nice. It was kind of set up like in a block where residents could walk around the facility. They had sitting areas with different
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Heritage Court Eau Claire was good. The memory care facility was very nice. It was kind of set up like in a block where residents could walk around the facility. They had sitting areas with different themes in four different areas, and they were very nice too. The room sizes were a little bit smaller, but they had activities for the residents. Also, they had a very nice garden and patio where they could sit and just be outside for a while if they wanted to. The person who toured us was nice and informative.
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Heritage Court Eau Claire was good. The memory care facility was very nice. It was kind of set up like in a block where residents could walk around the facility. They had sitting areas with different
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Heritage Court Eau Claire was good. The memory care facility was very nice. It was kind of set up like in a block where residents could walk around the facility. They had sitting areas with different themes in four different areas, and they were very nice too. The room sizes were a little bit smaller, but they had activities for the residents. Also, they had a very nice garden and patio where they could sit and just be outside for a while if they wanted to. The person who toured us was nice and informative.
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887 Briar Lane, Altoona, WI, 54720
We toured the Care Partners Assisted Living & Memory Care in Altoona. I thought it was OK. The facility seemed clean, the person that gave the tour seemed a little disorganized, but she was friend
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We toured the Care Partners Assisted Living & Memory Care in Altoona. I thought it was OK. The facility seemed clean, the person that gave the tour seemed a little disorganized, but she was friendly and brought us around. She gave us a good tour.
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We toured the Care Partners Assisted Living & Memory Care in Altoona. I thought it was OK. The facility seemed clean, the person that gave the tour seemed a little disorganized, but she was friend
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We toured the Care Partners Assisted Living & Memory Care in Altoona. I thought it was OK. The facility seemed clean, the person that gave the tour seemed a little disorganized, but she was friendly and brought us around. She gave us a good tour.
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5110 Stonewood Drive, Eau Claire, WI, 54703
My uncle has moved into Care Partners Assisted Living and Memory Care in Eau Claire West. He started in the assisted living room and then he got moved to the memory care because he walked away. He ope
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My uncle has moved into Care Partners Assisted Living and Memory Care in Eau Claire West. He started in the assisted living room and then he got moved to the memory care because he walked away. He opened the doors, and he didn’t know where he was or what he was doing, so they moved him over to the memory care. The layout was very nice. It’s all wide open, and the hallways are nice and wide. I thought it was very nice. It’s also all one level. They have activities. The residents were coloring, some of them were playing a game, and some of them were watching TV. As far as amenities, they get three meals a day, they have their own room, and they have very a nice walk-in shower, a nice big bathroom, and a nice big room. The staff is awesome. She explained everything to us. She’s called us when they’ve had problems like when he left. The other staff have been good with him as far as coming and getting him and reminding him, ‘C’mon, it’s time for lunch,’ and stuff like that. They’ve been very good to him. He said the food is good. The facility is nice and clean. It’s a clean, safe place. I think they could have more outdoor space for the ones in the memory care. However, he is doing well.
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My uncle has moved into Care Partners Assisted Living and Memory Care in Eau Claire West. He started in the assisted living room and then he got moved to the memory care because he walked away. He ope
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My uncle has moved into Care Partners Assisted Living and Memory Care in Eau Claire West. He started in the assisted living room and then he got moved to the memory care because he walked away. He opened the doors, and he didn’t know where he was or what he was doing, so they moved him over to the memory care. The layout was very nice. It’s all wide open, and the hallways are nice and wide. I thought it was very nice. It’s also all one level. They have activities. The residents were coloring, some of them were playing a game, and some of them were watching TV. As far as amenities, they get three meals a day, they have their own room, and they have very a nice walk-in shower, a nice big bathroom, and a nice big room. The staff is awesome. She explained everything to us. She’s called us when they’ve had problems like when he left. The other staff have been good with him as far as coming and getting him and reminding him, ‘C’mon, it’s time for lunch,’ and stuff like that. They’ve been very good to him. He said the food is good. The facility is nice and clean. It’s a clean, safe place. I think they could have more outdoor space for the ones in the memory care. However, he is doing well.
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3337 Birch Street, Eau Claire, WI, 54703
5075 Stonewood Drive, Eau Claire, WI, 54703
My dad is in Beehive Homes Of Eau Claire. The help and the people that work with him are very, very nice and very helpful. Every time I stop in, the place is very nice and clean. They have all kinds o
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My dad is in Beehive Homes Of Eau Claire. The help and the people that work with him are very, very nice and very helpful. Every time I stop in, the place is very nice and clean. They have all kinds of stuff, they’re now just going to start church services again. Right now they have a COVID outbreak, so I don’t suppose they do too much. But they celebrate every holiday, like Valentine’s Day and Christmas, and for all the holidays, they do something. I’ve been there when dad is eating, and the food looks very good and he eats it right up, so it must taste good. They have a chef that works there. I have no idea what other places cost, but I think this place is very expensive and it’s private pay. He just has a room there.
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My dad is in Beehive Homes Of Eau Claire. The help and the people that work with him are very, very nice and very helpful. Every time I stop in, the place is very nice and clean. They have all kinds o
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My dad is in Beehive Homes Of Eau Claire. The help and the people that work with him are very, very nice and very helpful. Every time I stop in, the place is very nice and clean. They have all kinds of stuff, they’re now just going to start church services again. Right now they have a COVID outbreak, so I don’t suppose they do too much. But they celebrate every holiday, like Valentine’s Day and Christmas, and for all the holidays, they do something. I’ve been there when dad is eating, and the food looks very good and he eats it right up, so it must taste good. They have a chef that works there. I have no idea what other places cost, but I think this place is very expensive and it’s private pay. He just has a room there.
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733 W. Hamilton Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701
I wasn’t really impressed with Our House Senior Living Eau Claire. It was very small, kind of dark, the people there were very friendly, but I didn’t like the location at all. When you looked out the
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I wasn’t really impressed with Our House Senior Living Eau Claire. It was very small, kind of dark, the people there were very friendly, but I didn’t like the location at all. When you looked out the window, you looked at another brick building. But it was clean, and there’s nothing really wrong with it. The woman I toured with was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and took a lot of time with me. I thought they did a really nice job of presenting their programs.
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I wasn’t really impressed with Our House Senior Living Eau Claire. It was very small, kind of dark, the people there were very friendly, but I didn’t like the location at all. When you looked out the
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I wasn’t really impressed with Our House Senior Living Eau Claire. It was very small, kind of dark, the people there were very friendly, but I didn’t like the location at all. When you looked out the window, you looked at another brick building. But it was clean, and there’s nothing really wrong with it. The woman I toured with was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and took a lot of time with me. I thought they did a really nice job of presenting their programs.
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3325 Birch Street, Eau Claire, WI, 54703
4803 Bullis Farm Road, Eau Claire, WI, 54701
I loved my tour of Azura Memory Care of Eau Claire, but there was no opening at the time. It was beautiful, very nice, and friendly, and that would have been my first choice. When I was there, they we
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I loved my tour of Azura Memory Care of Eau Claire, but there was no opening at the time. It was beautiful, very nice, and friendly, and that would have been my first choice. When I was there, they were watching the Hamilton play, which was very interesting because both the men and the women seemed to enjoy it. They also had a beauty parlor.
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I loved my tour of Azura Memory Care of Eau Claire, but there was no opening at the time. It was beautiful, very nice, and friendly, and that would have been my first choice. When I was there, they we
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I loved my tour of Azura Memory Care of Eau Claire, but there was no opening at the time. It was beautiful, very nice, and friendly, and that would have been my first choice. When I was there, they were watching the Hamilton play, which was very interesting because both the men and the women seemed to enjoy it. They also had a beauty parlor.
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5512 Renee Drive, Eau Claire, WI, 54703
Milestone Senior Living Eau Claire is situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, just above Wild Ridge Golf Course. The facility is known for having a Snoezelen room which provides a multi-sensory environment
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Milestone Senior Living Eau Claire is situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, just above Wild Ridge Golf Course. The facility is known for having a Snoezelen room which provides a multi-sensory environment for memory care. Residents enjoy the salon on-site and the food served daily. The facility hosts holiday festivities including cookies around Christmas time and secret gift giving. Visitors also praise the facility’s companion suites that allow for independent living while providing friendship in the residential area. Guests praise the high-level of interaction between the staff and residents.
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Milestone Senior Living Eau Claire is situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, just above Wild Ridge Golf Course. The facility is known for having a Snoezelen room which provides a multi-sensory environment
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Milestone Senior Living Eau Claire is situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, just above Wild Ridge Golf Course. The facility is known for having a Snoezelen room which provides a multi-sensory environment for memory care. Residents enjoy the salon on-site and the food served daily. The facility hosts holiday festivities including cookies around Christmas time and secret gift giving. Visitors also praise the facility’s companion suites that allow for independent living while providing friendship in the residential area. Guests praise the high-level of interaction between the staff and residents.
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2455 Sawgrass Place, Altoona, WI, 54720
COVID-19 Rules for Memory Care in Eau Claire County
Since most COVID-19 rules for Memory Care Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Memory Care in Wisconsin. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What to Consider About Memory Care in Eau Claire County
Memory care facilities in Eau Claire County follow regulations set by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. These facilities are licensed as community-based residential facilities and undergo initial and annual licensing processes to ensure high-quality care for residents. The department ensures a high standard of care for residents through regular inspections and by conducting criminal background checks on employees.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in Eau Claire County
- Eau Claire County is one of the cheaper places to live in Wisconsin. On a 100-point index based on the national average, the city scores 86.7 versus the state score of 90.9. To further make this region affordable for seniors with limited incomes, several local nonprofit agencies provide financial counseling and help with accessing public benefits that may cover memory care expenses.
- Wisconsin has some of the highest property taxes in the nation, but Eau Claire County seniors with dementia may avoid this living expense by transitioning to memory care. While seniors pay taxes on private pension income, dividends from investments and withdrawals from retirement savings accounts, Social Security benefits and government pensions aren’t taxed at the state level.
- Violent crime is relatively uncommon in Eau Claire County and property crime rates are comparable to the national average, which may provide peace of mind for those moving loved ones to local memory care facilities. On a 100-point index on which a lower rate indicates less crime, the county’s violent crime rate is 13.6, and property crime is rated 38.4 versus the national scores of 22.7 and 35.4, respectively.
- There are nearly double the number of doctors per capita in Eau Claire County compared to the nation as a whole, promoting accessible primary and specialty care for older residents. The region is home to top hospitals, such as the Mayo Clinic Health System Eau Claire campus and HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital. On average, seniors pay about 8% more for medical services in Eau Claire County compared to the United States as a whole.
- Eau Claire County offers comfortable summers with daytime temperatures in the low-80s, but winters tend to be harsh with lows in the single digits and approximately 46 inches of snow. Memory care facilities have indoor and outdoor recreational activities to keep residents engaged year-round.
Paying for Memory Care in Eau Claire County
Eau Claire County seniors typically obtain residential memory care services in licensed assisted living facilities that comply with additional regulations. Nationwide memory care cost data isn’t available, but services are typically 20-30% more than standard assisted living. To calculate the following memory care rates, we’ve added 25% to the assisted living costs in the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities
Residential memory services in Eau Claire County are competitively priced at $5,469 per month. This is nearly $300 lower than the state median of $5,750 and about $150 cheaper than the national rate of $5,625. The Wausau and La Crosse regions have even more economically priced care, with seniors paying $5,156 and $5,329, respectively. In Racine, fees exceed state and national averages at $6,813.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
At $5,469 per month, memory care is one of the most expensive senior care options in Eau Claire County. Older adults without memory impairments pay $4,375 for assisted living, and seniors who live at home and obtain services via adult day health care pay $2,356. In-home care agencies charge $5,339 for basic home care and home health care services. Nursing home residents in semiprivate rooms pay $8,167 per month, while those in private rooms pay $8,593.
Nursing Home (semiprivate)
Note: Data for Eau Claire County was unavailable, so data for its principal city, Eau Claire, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Eau Claire County
In Eau Claire County, there are options for seniors who need financial assistance paying for Memory Care. For more information about other options, who qualifies, and how to apply, Memory Care in Wisconsin page.
More Ways to Pay for Memory Care
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Wisconsin page.
Free Memory Care Resources in Eau Claire County
Seniors and families in Eau Claire County can obtain support and guidance from various local nonprofit organizations and government programs. The following resources include long-term care options counselors, dementia specialists and health insurance advisors who provide free or low-cost services to those affected by Alzheimer’s.
Eau Claire County’s Aging and Disability Resource Center provides supportive services to those aged 60 and over. It publishes two online handbooks, including the Dementia Care Resource Guide and After the Diagnosis Guide, to help seniors and families navigate various stages of dementia. The organization facilitates the Brain and Body Group Fitness Program, an evidence-based program that has been shown to help improve the physical fitness and mood of participants living with dementia. It hosts the Chippewa Valley Memory Café, the Early Memory Loss and Dementia Support Group, Musical Memories and Stand in the Light Memory Choir to provide engaging opportunities for those with dementia. The Aging and Disability Resource Center also connects individuals with research studies in the region.
The Wisconsin chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has a live-staffed 24-hour helpline that seniors and family members can contact for emotional support and help with navigating dementia-related issues, such as care planning, applying for public benefits and accessing long-term care services in the community. The chapter also offers support groups, educational opportunities and early-stage engagement programming for those living with Alzheimer’s.
The long-term care ombudsman for Eau Claire County offers a variety of direct services to seniors in memory care. Ombudsmen help families research local residential dementia care options and provide information on residents’ rights and how to report abuse. They also field and investigate complaints regarding long-term care services and mediate issues between families and memory care facilities.
Legal Action of Wisconsin operates SeniorLAW, a free legal service for those aged 60 and over. Seniors and families can contact benefits specialists for help with accessing public benefits, such as Medicaid, Medicare, long-term care insurance, Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income. The program can also help resolve consumer debt issues or benefits overpayment.
Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Eau Claire County
Eau Claire County Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in Wisconsin are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Wisconsin page for more information about these laws.
