Assisted Living in Wisconsin

Discover everything America’s Dairyland has to offer when you look for assisted living services in Wisconsin. Popular lore suggests that the state’s name is derived from “it lies red,” a reference to the hue of sandstone lining the Wisconsin river. But it could just as easily be for the rich hues of the treeline each fall. All four seasons blossom for Wisconsin residents, offering small-town denizens and big-city citizens alike a full helping of Midwestern weather. From rolling pastures to major metropolitan areas, there’s an area for everyone looking for assisted living options in Wisconsin.

Cost of assisted living in Wisconsin vs. nearby states

Cost of assisted living in a selection of Wisconsin cities

We noticed people seem to be searching for assisted living in these Wisconsin cities more frequently than others: Fitchburg, Green Bay, Janesville, and Manitowoc. We've provided their pricing here.

The cost of assisted living in Wisconsin

Seniorly 2021 data shows that the average cost of assisted living in Wisconsin is $4,428 per month. The national average monthly cost is $4,057, which puts Wisconsin ahead of the national average and many of its neighboring states. Explore our assisted living listings to start comparing properties, or get in touch with one of our local advisors to get expert advice on what you can afford in the areas in which you’re interested.

Assisted living communities can provide the peace of mind that comes from not worrying about home maintenance, chores, or errands, as well as help with personal care like grooming, eating, and other activities of daily living seniors might have trouble with. However, if your loved one requires nursing care, or has diagnosed Alzheimer's or dementia that has progressed to a certain point, they might need a skilled nursing facility/home health care, or memory care community instead. These types of care providers (and for that matter, in-home care) might cost more in Wisconsin than assisted living facilities, but the important thing is that your loved one’s needs are cared for in order to provide them with the best quality of life.

If your loved one currently lives in a retirement community, ask whether it is a Continuing Care Retirement Community: these senior living properties are generally designed for residents to age in place. Seniors can get the different levels of care they need, from independent living to memory care, without having to move to a different community altogether.

Overall cost of living in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s cost of living is around average amongst other states. Between retirement favorites Florida and Arizona in terms of cost, Wisconsin’s cost of living index is 97.3, where the US national average is 104.63. This is largely due to higher housing and utility costs than other parts of the country.

Financial assistance for assisted living in Wisconsin

Medicaid options for Wisconsin seniors

According to benefits.gov, to be eligible for Wisconsin Medicaid, you must be a resident of the state of Wisconsin, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien, in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. You must also be one of the following:

• Pregnant, or
• Be responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger, or
• Blind, or
• Have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability, or
• Be 65 years of age or older.

Wisconsin's Medicaid health care program pays for medical care for children and adults with limited income and resources. Like other states, it is supported by State and Federal funding and designed to help a wide variety of families and individuals who need assistance. 

Several Wisconsin Medicaid programs can help Wisconsin seniors get the care options they need, including Housing Support Services, PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), and the SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance Program. Keep in mind that there may be separate eligibility requirements for these programs and that there is high demand for these care services and some may have wait lists.

Non-Medicaid State assistance programs

There are a few non-Medicaid assistance programs in Wisconsin, many of which can be accessed through local Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC).

More ways to finance assisted living in Wisconsin

There are several options available to finance assisted living for yourself or a loved one. Long-term care can be financed several ways:

• Life insurance - Some life insurance policies have a provision for long-term care benefits.
• Long-term care insurance - This type of insurance is intended to cover long-term health care needs by covering costs for assisted living or long-term care communities.
• Pensions, 401K, and IRA - If you have a pension, 401k or an IRA to fall back upon this would be a great benefit in paying for assisted living costs.
• Real Estate - Having a home is a great source of income. When it is time to move into assisted living the sale proceeds from your home can cover the costs.
• Veteran’s benefits - While the VA will not directly cover the costs of assisted living, you can obtain help from the VA under the Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits. The Aid & Attendance benefits helps eligible veterans and their surviving spouses to pay for assistance for assistance of daily living (ADLs) activities. Aid & Attendance benefits are often referred to by other names such as “improved pension,” “VA assisted living benefit,” or “veterans elder care benefits.”

Free assisted living resources in Wisconsin

Wisconsin residents can explore state resources that can help answer your questions about eligibility for certain types of benefits and how they might apply to assisted living.

Find your local Area Agency on Aging: There are multiple agencies per state, enter your ZIP code or city to find the one closest to you.

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs may be able to help you determine if your loved one is eligible for VA benefits.

Find Wisconsin Social Security offices where you can understand your benefits and get answers to your questions about claims.

Assisted living communities by Wisconsin city

Top Advisors in Wisconsin