Madison’s impressive healthcare facilities and relatively affordable nursing home care make it an attractive city for Wisconsin’s aging population. With 11.6% of the city’s residents being at least 65 years of age, Wisconsin’s capital city is home to around 30,122 seniors. Violent crime and healthcare spending are low compared to national figures, and the city boasts 71% more physicians per capita than the United States average. UW Health-Madison is ranked among the best hospitals in the country, and at $8,790 a month, Madison’s median cost of nursing home care is only slightly above the statewide average.
Within Madison’s nursing facilities, seniors typically have access to licensed nurses, physicians and a variety of therapists. Seniors are under 24-hour supervision, and emergency medical care is always available. If the level of care provided by assisted living or home care is sufficient, seniors may be able to enjoy their retirement with more independence while also saving a bit of money.
This guide covers senior care costs and resources that may help seniors pay for nursing home care, delay it with in-home services and enhance daily life at a nursing home with advocacy support.
718 Jupiter Drive, Madison, WI, 53718
4.3
(19 reviews)
"My husband was at Oak Park Place-Madison East Grandview. The staff was very well-educated and very compassionate. The OT, PT, and speech department were just spot on. He stayed there for one month. I would come up and have dinner with him every ni..."
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718 Jupiter Drive, Madison, WI, 53718
4.4
(12 reviews)
"My father is in rehab right now at Oak Park Place. The social worker up at UW told me about it. The staff is very helpful. The food is good. They have bingo, ice cream socials, and different singing groups come in. I feel like he is getting very g..."
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6205 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI, 53705
4.2
(13 reviews)
"Oakwood Village University Woods off Mineral Point Road sits amid nearly 30 acres of wooded grounds that include sidewalks and a nine-acre n..."
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5565 Tanco Drive, Madison, WI, 53718
2.6
(10 reviews)
"We were very happy with the attention given given to my 92 year old husband. The rooms are adequate with private baths. The staff was incredibly cheerful and helpful. They seem to have a very high number of staff per patient. The nursing care for..."
READ MORE110 BELMONT RD, Madison, WI, 53714
3.0
(5 reviews)
"My wife was there for several months. I visited her several hours a day when she was there. She received very good care. The nursing staff knows their job and does it well. The therapists are first class. The food is good enough that the staf..."
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3401 MAPLE GROVE DR, Madison, WI, 53719
3.0
(2 reviews)
"St Mary's Care Center has a lot of activities. They help seniors write letters to their family. They have a writing club. They have a whole area where you can do puzzles. They have birds. They have a beautiful fish aquarium. They have a hair salon..."
READ MORECaring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
4502 Milwaukee St, Madison, WI, 53714
2.2
(5 reviews)
"When I went to Karmenta Center, I saw that there were people from all ages and ethnicities and they were happy there. I felt that the ambiance and the younger people there were much suited for my daughter. I have been calling them and trying to ge..."
READ MORE8301 Old Sauk Rd, Middleton, WI, 53562
3.8
(9 reviews)
"Attic Angel is CCAC accredited. It offers a full spectrum of services and has rehab and activity centers. The cleanliness was excellent. I never saw anything out of place. The staff was well trained and lived up to a high level of expectation. "
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6201 Elmwood Avenue, Middleton, WI, 53562
2.5
(8 reviews)
"I visited this facility and found the staff to be very helpful. If they didn't know the answer they would get someone who did. No facility is perfect but from what I saw the staff really cared about the residents. "
READ MOREThe average monthly costs for nursing home care in Madison, WI, are $8,790 for a semiprivate room and $9,429 for a private room.
While the median cost of nursing home care in Madison is $106 above the statewide figure and $1,034 above the national average, the city is one of the most affordable in its area of the state. On average, seniors in Racine and Milwaukee are paying $487 and $639 more, respectively, while older adults in Janesville are paying an additional $822 a month, among the highest in the state. Fond du Lac is the least expensive city nearby, costing $888 less per month for nursing home care.
Madison
$8,790
Wisconsin
$8,684
The United States
$7,756
Janesville
$9,612
Milwaukee
$9,429
Fond du Lac
$7,902
Racine
$9,277
The most expensive type of senior care in Madison is nursing home care with a private room followed by nursing home care with semiprivate accommodations. Adult day health care falls on the opposite end of the cost spectrum, with most of the city’s seniors paying around $2,019 a month. The median cost of assisted living is $4,956 a month. Although home health care provides medical services in addition to what’s included with home care, both types of care have the same average cost, $5,339.
Home care
$5,339
Home health care
$5,339
Adult day health care
$2,019
Assisted living
$4,956
Nursing home (semiprivate room)
$8,790
Nursing home (private room)
$9,429
Many seniors and their families use some form of financial assistance to help them pay for nursing care. The main options available are Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits. These programs can be complicated, especially when it comes to benefit terms. Below, we give a brief overview of how these programs may be used towards paying for skilled nursing care.
If these options aren’t available to you, check if your loved one has long-term care insurance or contact your Area Agency on Aging to ask about any local financial assistance programs for seniors.
In addition to programs that can help seniors pay for nursing home care, the following list includes organizations that can help seniors delay nursing home placement with in-home services and advocacy organizations that can help enhance the lives of seniors in long-term care facilities.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Area Agency on Aging of Dane County | (608) 261-9930 | Working with the local Aging and Disability Resource Center, the A.A.A. of Dane County administers several government-funded programs that cater to the needs of Madison’s aging population. The nutrition and caregiver support programs are beneficial for seniors who haven’t transitioned to a nursing facility yet, while the Elder Benefit Specialist Program may come in handy for seniors seeking free legal assistance or help appealing a denial of Medicare or Medicaid benefits. |
| Dane County Department of Human Services | (608) 255-6067 | The Dane County Department of Human Services is the entry point to various government assistance programs for Madison’s seniors. The office handles enrollment for cash and food assistance programs as well as Wisconsin’s ForwardHealth Medicaid plan, which can directly pay for nursing home expenses. |
| Long-Term Care Ombudsman | (800) 815-0015 | The Long-Term Care Ombudsman offers free assistance to seniors and their families for issues occurring at long-term care facilities, such as complaints about the quality of care or possible elder abuse. Ombudsman can also help answer questions about choosing a nursing home and what financing options are available. |
| NewBridge | (608) 512-0000 | With three locations in Madison, NewBridge is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing area seniors with the services they need to age independently. From home-delivered meals and homemaker services to in-home care, the organization’s range of programs may enable seniors to save money and put off moving into a nursing home. |
