Famous for baseball and beer, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is home to over 590,000 residents, of whom 10.5% are aged 65 and over. Seniors here have access to an array of geriatric health providers, including the trailblazing Acute Care for the Elderly Unit at Aurora Sinai Medical Center and the Acute Care for Elders Unit at Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital

Outside of a hospital, nursing homes offer the highest level of care available for many elderly people. These facilities provide around-the-clock custodial care, personal assistance and access to medical care from skilled nurses, physicians and therapists. Due to the services provided, nursing facilities are the most expensive senior care option for Milwaukee residents. At $9,429 per month, the cost of nursing home care in the city is significantly higher than the U.S. average of $7,756. Home health care and assisted living are more affordable yet effective alternatives for people who don’t require this level of care.

This guide provides detailed cost information for the different care types available in Milwaukee. It also lists some resources to support local seniors.

Directory of Nursing Homes in Milwaukee, WI

Canterbury Court

1840 N PROSPECT AVE, Milwaukee, WI, 53202

Located along Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Canterbury Court provides seniors with a comfortable and safe assisted living community. This facility gets rave reviews for its high-end treatments, spacious … (read more)
Located along Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Canterbury Court provides seniors with a comfortable and safe assisted living community. This facility gets rave reviews for its high-end treatments, spacious … (read more)

Ovation Jewish Home

1414 N Prospect Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53202

Ovation Jewish Home was very nice. I like how they care for the people that are living there and everything like that. The building is clean and very nice. They have everything for the elderly. They h … (read more)
Ovation Jewish Home was very nice. I like how they care for the people that are living there and everything like that. The building is clean and very nice. They have everything for the elderly. They h … (read more)

Eastcastle Place

2505 E Bradford Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53211

My husband was in Eastcastle for approximately three weeks for rehabilitation. His food often arrived cold. He would wear the same shirt for 2-3 days because no one was available to help him change. … (read more)
My husband was in Eastcastle for approximately three weeks for rehabilitation. His food often arrived cold. He would wear the same shirt for 2-3 days because no one was available to help him change. … (read more)

St Ann Rest Home

2020 S Muskego Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53204

My sister-in-law is at The Bay at St Ann Health and Rehabilitation Center. They work with her to try to get her walking better as she needs assistance with everything. It’s very clean and they have ro … (read more)
My sister-in-law is at The Bay at St Ann Health and Rehabilitation Center. They work with her to try to get her walking better as she needs assistance with everything. It’s very clean and they have ro … (read more)

Generations Adult Day Center

2330 N PROSPECT AVE, Milwaukee, WI, 53211

As current residents . I cant say enough positive comments. The staff and administration are caring, compassionate and always there to support and help. The apts are beautiful, and there are multiple … (read more)
As current residents . I cant say enough positive comments. The staff and administration are caring, compassionate and always there to support and help. The apts are beautiful, and there are multiple … (read more)

Ascension Living Alexian Village

9301 N. 76 Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53223

Terrible place. Don’t leave your loved one here. Some of the Nurses are awful as in they dont give meds on time or at all, some aides are rude and rough, management wants to hear complaints but don’t … (read more)
Terrible place. Don’t leave your loved one here. Some of the Nurses are awful as in they dont give meds on time or at all, some aides are rude and rough, management wants to hear complaints but don’t … (read more)

Cameo Care Center

5790 S 27TH ST, Milwaukee, WI, 53221

My mom experienced rehab at Cameo in 2012. Her health had declined to the point where she had to move out of her first Assistant living place. The facility (nursing home part) was clean. I arrived wit … (read more)
My mom experienced rehab at Cameo in 2012. Her health had declined to the point where she had to move out of her first Assistant living place. The facility (nursing home part) was clean. I arrived wit … (read more)

Mercy Res and Rehab Center

2727 W MITCHELL ST, Milwaukee, WI, 53215

Mercy Residential and Rehab was nice — nothing fancy– but adequate. The staff was good. They kept us updated as to my aunt’s status and what they were doing with her. We got a shared room for her, a … (read more)
Mercy Residential and Rehab was nice — nothing fancy– but adequate. The staff was good. They kept us updated as to my aunt’s status and what they were doing with her. We got a shared room for her, a … (read more)

Maple Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center

2730 W Ramsey Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53221

My mom moved into Maple Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center. As far as I can see, I’m pleased with her care. She needs help cleaning herself up, and she’s very satisfied with the help. She’s enjoyi … (read more)
My mom moved into Maple Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center. As far as I can see, I’m pleased with her care. She needs help cleaning herself up, and she’s very satisfied with the help. She’s enjoyi … (read more)

Sunrise Care Center

3540 S 43rd St, Milwaukee, WI, 53220

My father was there for less than 36 hours, due to lack of care and inadequate equipment my father died. Upon arrival at the facility I was told by staff that they had to remove the bipap machine fro … (read more)
My father was there for less than 36 hours, due to lack of care and inadequate equipment my father died. Upon arrival at the facility I was told by staff that they had to remove the bipap machine fro … (read more)

St. Francis Place

3200 S 20th Street , Milwaukee, WI, 53215

While the conditions were not that terrible, they are completely understaffed causing people like my mother who was there this past June and July terrible inconvenience. My mother had fallen a couple … (read more)
While the conditions were not that terrible, they are completely understaffed causing people like my mother who was there this past June and July terrible inconvenience. My mother had fallen a couple … (read more)

CROSSROADS CARE CENTER OF MILWAUKEE

3216 West Highland Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI, 53208

I was at Crossroads Care Center of Milwaukee. It was not a very nice place. It was not very clean, the nurses were not very nice, and my social worker was not cooperating at all. It was on lockdown be … (read more)
I was at Crossroads Care Center of Milwaukee. It was not a very nice place. It was not very clean, the nurses were not very nice, and my social worker was not cooperating at all. It was on lockdown be … (read more)

CLOSED – Millway Care and Rehabilitation Center

8534 W MILL RD, Milwaukee, WI, 53226

My sisters and I chose this facility because it was clean and close to all of our homes. We had also never heard anything negative about it. I visited my father 2-3 times a week-unannounced. We had pu … (read more)
My sisters and I chose this facility because it was clean and close to all of our homes. We had also never heard anything negative about it. I visited my father 2-3 times a week-unannounced. We had pu … (read more)

Golden Livingcenter – Colonial Mnr

1616 W BENDER RD, Milwaukee, WI, 53209

My experience with Colonial Manor was a poor one. My mother was a resident there for about 5 months or so. The receptionist was rarely able to answer any questions when she was there to answer the pho … (read more)
My experience with Colonial Manor was a poor one. My mother was a resident there for about 5 months or so. The receptionist was rarely able to answer any questions when she was there to answer the pho … (read more)

St Annes Home For the Elderly

3800 N 92ND ST, Milwaukee, WI, 53222



Wisconsin Lutheran Care Center

6800 North 76th Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53223


Milwaukee County MHC Rehab Center

9455 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI, 53226


Luther Manor

4545 N 92ND ST, Wauwatosa, WI, 53225

Luther Manor in Wauwatosa is a faith-based senior living complex in Wauwatosa, a part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. This faith-based life plan community welcomes non-denominational seniors and o … (read more)
Luther Manor in Wauwatosa is a faith-based senior living complex in Wauwatosa, a part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. This faith-based life plan community welcomes non-denominational seniors and o … (read more)

2013

St. Camillus Assisted Living

10101 W WISCONSIN AVE, Wauwatosa, WI, 53226

St. Camillus looks beautiful and very nice. The food is really good. It’s not homemade food, but more restaurant style food. The physical therapy is perfectly wonderful. The food was wonderful, but I … (read more)
St. Camillus looks beautiful and very nice. The food is really good. It’s not homemade food, but more restaurant style food. The physical therapy is perfectly wonderful. The food was wonderful, but I … (read more)

Nursing Home Costs in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

In Milwaukee, semiprivate rooms in nursing homes cost an average of $9,429 per month, while private rooms cost $11,376 per month.

The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nearby Cities

Comparing average prices for semiprivate rooms in nursing homes, the $9,429 monthly cost in Milwaukee is $1,673 above the national average of $7,756. Milwaukee also exceeds Wisconsin’s state average of $8,684 by $745.

Milwaukee nursing homes are also more expensive than those in nearby Wisconsin cities. The average cost here is $152 more than in Racine and $639 over the cost in Sheboygan. Seniors in Fond du Lac see a cost saving of $1,527 compared to their peers in Milwaukee. However, nursing home residents in Janesville pay $183 more than local seniors.  

$9429

Milwaukee

$8684

Wisconsin

$7756

The United States

$9277

Racine

$8790

Sheboygan

$7902

Fond du Lac

$9612

Janesville

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

To determine the most appropriate placement for an elderly loved one, it’s helpful to compare costs for other types of senior care in Milwaukee. Adult day care is the most affordable choice with an average cost of $1,322 per month. Home care and assisted living are almost on par at $5,053 and $5,073, respectively. Home health aide services are slightly higher at $5,243. Nursing home care is the most expensive option at $9,429 for a shared room and $11,376 for a private room.

$5053

Home care

$5243

Home health care

$1322

Adult day health care

$5073

Assisted living

$9429

Nursing home (semiprivate room)

$11376

Nursing home (private room)

Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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.

  • Medicare: Medicare will typically cover all skilled nursing costs for the first 20 days of one’s stay in a nursing home and a portion of the costs until day 100. After 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will not cover any part of the cost of the stay. While this is adequate when short-term care is needed, those in need of long-term care will need to either pay out-of-pocket or use another source of financial assistance.
  • Medicaid: Medicaid covers most of the costs of living in a skilled nursing facility for those who qualify. Care, room, and board are covered with no time limit, but residents may be charged for extras like specially prepared food or cosmetic services. Medicaid eligibility standards are strict and complex, so not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid benefits.
  • Veterans Benefits: Veterans receiving a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit administered by the VA. Aid and Attendance is a monthly allowance that beneficiaries may use to pay for their long-term care, including 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.

Free Resources for Seniors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Many Milwaukee seniors and their families turn to local resources for information and support. These services may help delay a senior’s transition to a nursing facility. They can also help older citizens and their families understand their options for nursing home care in preparation for the time when it’s needed.

ResourceContactService
Meals on Wheels(414) 289-6874The Meals on Wheels program delivers hot, nutritious low-cost meals to homebound Milwaukee residents. Meals are delivered at noontime, Monday through Friday. To qualify, seniors must be aged 60 or older, or disabled, and unable to prepare their own meals or travel to a community dining site. 
Milwaukee County Department on Aging(414) 289-6874The Milwaukee County Department on Aging provides free, confidential counseling regarding long-term care options and public and private benefits. Counselors can offer help with long-term care planning and accurate information on local resources including transportation and respite care.
Love Thy Neighbor Foundation(414) 562-6666The nonprofit Love Thy Neighbor Foundation coordinates and shares information on community resources to enhance the quality of life for seniors in Milwaukee County. Through the Foundation’s website, seniors and their families can find resources for in-home care, financial planning, transportation services, veterans’ benefits, legal services and home repairs and maintenance, among others. 
Eras Senior Network(414) 488-6500Eras Senior Network offers supportive services to seniors at no cost, such as friendly visits and phone calls, help with letters, bills and forms. The organization also arranges transportation, outdoor maintenance/yard work services and minor home safety modifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to live in Milwaukee?

The crime rate, which is used as an indicator of how safe a particular area is, in Milwaukee is 510, which is above the national average of 323.

Is traffic in Milwaukee bad?

There is low traffic congestion with an above average crash rate of 10.

How much does housing cost in Milwaukee?

At $972, the average cost of housing in Milwaukee is below the nationwide average of $1,442

Is the job market good in Milwaukee?

Milwaukee offers a poor job market for older adults. There are typically less than 1 job available per worker and the rate of income inequality in the area is 0.48.

Is it accessible to live in Milwaukee without a vehicle?

In Milwaukee, 95.4% of public transportation stations and vehicles are ADA-accessible. Which is above the national average of 78.28%. On average, there are 13 local transit vehicles per hour. This is more than the national average of 8.

Are the health care options good in Milwaukee?

Patient satisfaction, which is a key indicator of the quality of health care in an area, averages 76.3% in Milwaukee – this is higher the national average patient satisfaction. Additionally, there are 73 primary care physicians for every 100,000 people, which is less the national average of 82.

Should you consider retiring in Milwaukee?

According to Caring.com’s 2022 Senior Living Report which graded 300 cities using 46 metrics across 5 categories, Milwaukee ranked in the top of the pack. It’s overall rank was 55th, and it scored the best in Transportation, while it’s lowest score was for Senior Living & Housing.

Are there fun activities for retirees in Milwaukee?

In Milwaukee, the number of parks is more than the national average. Additionally, the number of cultural, arts, and entertainment options is below the average.