Madison, Wisconsin, offers excellent memory care options to seniors with dementia. As the capital of Wisconsin, Madison has a strong senior living infrastructure and is ranked as one of the top 25 U.S. cities to retire in.
A Place for Mom partners with multiple memory care facilities within Madison, Wisconsin. In these communities, you can find comprehensive, attentive care for your loved one with memory loss. This guide includes the cost of memory care in Madison, tips on how to pay, local laws and regulations, transportation options, health care, and senior-friendly activities.
My husband and I have lived here now for 15 months. All the residents seem happy and we enjoy being with people our own age. We appreciate the free transportation they give us to our many clinic appointment...
my mother has been a resident for about 4-5 years. She has been going very well since her move to the larger common are and with mom's contact with others. There have been challenges, however they have been...
Overall we are becoming happier with my moms care at Brookdale. [name removed] the interim Director is a breath of fresh air! We have seen quite the improvements in a short period of time and It’s nice to...
This facility has a very caring staff, a capable administrative team, and is an excellent quality facility. The needs of my sister-in-law were fully met. I would highly recommend this community for any...
Coventry Village is a nice place, beautifully appointed. The staff seemed to be over-worked. Sometimes it would take an hour for someone to come after the call button was pushed. My mother was not a...
Actually, my folks moved the end of August because my Mom needed memory care and they did not have a unit in memory care that would fit 2 people. Med passers and activities staff were very friendly. They...
The common areas, dining, etc. was very clean. The cleanliness of my loved one's apartment fell a little bit short of our expectations. The staff are friendly, engaging, and they treat the residents as...
A room opened up and so we moved her. All Saints has a very well-established and robust memory program. Mom seems to be happy there. These retirement communities are super expensive. That said, All Saints...
All five stars for [name removed] and the team who work at Azura. They all have expert knowledge about writing and reading about dementia.
They could have more activities, and I wish my loved one could eat in the assisted living side as I think the food may be better. My loved one still has her wits about her. She is cognitive unlike most of...
All fives for all categories. We had a very short stay at Brookdale Middleton, but the staff was fantastic with our loved one.
The staff at Cardinal View Senior Living are amazing! My loved one's room is cleaned once a week and the facility is also clean. Communication with the family is great. The move in process went very smooth....
Highly recommended; warm, welcoming community. I picked this community because it was no huge down payment , location and friendly staff.
Homestead has been the answer to our prayers when it came time for my Mother to leave her home. We had her in a couple of other places before arriving here. This environment is more homelike, set up in a way...
They were AMAZING. My mom was not here very long, but they really treated her like their own. A few of the staff members cried just as hard as we did when she passed away. We knew that if for some reason...
It's a beautiful facility and very clean. I liked the wide hallways and open spaces. The bathroom was very accessible. I liked the country setting with southern exposure. The head chef had been in the...
I am very sure that working on a memory care unit is extremely difficult for staff. Staff have to be mind readers with the patience of a saint when dealing with folks with dementia who can be violent, angry,...
My loved one is currently a resident at Tennyson Retirement Living. Overall, the experience has been positive so far. Like everyone else, they have staffing challenges. But there seems to be some steadiness...
The staff is very patient and friendly to the residents. They're very good at communication with me as well. The food is good, and they're good about serving a fair amount of fruits and vegetables. A...
The staff there at Capitol Lakes Terraces are super! They are very welcoming, very caring, and very well organized. Their staff is very well trained and they really care and do a great job. The only...
My parents really enjoy Renaissance place.
What we like the most about the Oak Park Place is that it is very welcoming and the staff members are so friendly. My brother is very happy there. He is enjoying the community and other residents who live...
When we were looking for a new place to move my mom, cost was a factor. We really liked this community. Her apartment is in the remodeled wing and it is supposed to have extra staff available for the...
The staff members are a 5 plus, they are so friendly and we are getting ready to move our loved one in and she is really looking forward to the arts and crafts. Before we even toured this community we wanted...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Madison community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
Memory care in Madison costs on average $6,460 a month. This monthly fee includes the following services:
Memory care tends to be more expensive than assisted living because it requires more staff training and specialized environments. In Madison, assisted living costs $6,200 a month on average.
Madison, Wisconsin, is an affordable city with a cost of living index that reflects the national average. However, it’s one of the most expensive places to live in Wisconsin. Local senior living costs reflect this, as memory care on average in Wisconsin costs $5,000 a month.
The following charts illustrate the baseline cost of memory care in Madison, before any additional fees. We recommend reading this chart as a comparison between Madison and nearby areas.
Paying for a memory care stay can be one of the most arduous aspects of deciding to stay in one. You can help your loved one pay with personal income or savings, VA benefits, or public options such as Medicare and Medicaid. Here, we’ll explore each payment strategy and introduce resources that can help you finance your memory care.
If you’re exploring a memory care facility for your loved one, financing it through personal means can be an effective way to get the process going. This can include using private savings, cashing in on hard-earned Social Security benefits and pension payouts, or leveraging the fruits of an investment portfolio. Try exploring some of the other options below as well.
Number of veterans who live in Madison as of 2021
About 26% of Madison veterans are 75+
Upward of 2,500 senior veterans in Madison are 75 years or older.[03] The city has a slew of options available to those looking to finance memory care stays via VA benefits. For example, the VA Aid and Attendance benefit can help cover costs by adding an additional amount of money to the monthly Veterans Pension. Many of A Place for Mom’s partnering memory care facilities offer discounts for veterans, so be sure to ask as you tour facilities.
An assortment of veterans services offices and organizations (VSOs) can help your family determine what might apply to your loved one’s circumstance. VSOs are VA-vetted organizations that support veterans and their families in applying for benefits. In Madison, reaching out to the Dane County Veterans Service Office, Veterans of Foreign Wars Department or Day Post, and the American Legion can help if you’re unsure whether your loved one qualifies for benefits.
Ask your Senior Living Advisor about the options for veterans in your area. A Place for Mom has partnered with USAA, and together they have led to over $8 million of secured veteran’s benefits for seniors using our service.
Resources for Madison Veterans
Dane County Veterans Service Office
1709 Aberg Ave., Suite 2
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 608-266-4158
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Wisconsin
4622 Dutch Mill Road
Madison, WI 53716
Phone: 608-221-2576
Veterans of Foreign Wars Day Post 7591
301 Cottage Grove Road
Madison, WI 53716
Phone: 608-221-9326
Medicaid, the health insurance program for those with low incomes, won’t cover all memory care expenses, but it can help. Wisconsin Medicaid may cover much of the costs for your loved one’s memory care through the Family Care Program, the IRIS Program, or Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers.
The Family Care Program and the IRIS Program are similar. They’re both for seniors who need long-term care. Both programs may pay for room and board in a memory care facility, although the amount paid depends on the individual’s income and health status. The IRIS Program allows for more individual choice about where seniors receive care, but pays for less of the care overall than the Family Care Program. Seniors who need skilled nursing care in Madison should consider the Institutional Medical Assistance program.
Memory care residents 65 and older who are in need of prescription assistance can sign up for the state’s SeniorCare program for $30 a year. The assistance is based on income and is for people who are 65+.
You can view a highly comprehensive Wisconsin Medicaid eligibility handbook, which also contains helpful details on how to apply. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services also offers a Job Center to assist those trying to determine eligibility and navigate the application process.
In addition to these resources, the state’s Board on Aging and Long-Term Care and corresponding Ombudsman Program, and the local Area Agency on Aging, are ready to help. These resources can help you apply for benefits other than medical coverage, too.
Madison resident Medicaid resources
Board on Aging and Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
1402 Pankratz St., Suite 111
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 800-815-0015
Dane County Area Agency on Aging
2865 N. Sherman Ave., Northside Town Center
Madison WI, 53704
Phone: 608-261-9930
Email: AAA@countyofdane.com
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program available for individuals who are disabled or over age 65.[05] Medicare won’t cover the cost of a memory care facility, but it can still be helpful. Medicare covers medical needs for people over 65. This includes things such as necessary medical equipment, medications, hospice care, and preventive health services.[06] Medicare will also cover some in-home health services for residents of a memory care facility.[07]
You can find plenty of help in Madison to understand your loved one’s benefits and even get help with the application process.
Use these options to find Medicare coverage in Madison:
Resources for Madison Medicare recipients
Madison Social Security Administration Office
6011 Odana Road
Madison, WI 53719
Phone: 866-770-2262
Fax: 833-950-3737
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dane County
2865 N Sherman Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 608-240-7400
Fax: 608-240-7401
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Board on Aging and Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
1402 Pankratz St., Suite 111
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 800-815-0015
Madison’s memory care facilities in Madison follow strict laws to keep residents safe and healthy and family members involved. Memory care facilities across Wisconsin are regulated by the Department of Health, and are classified as a type of assisted living. There are three types of assisted living in the state:
These are all expected to maintain a license and fall under the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Division of Quality Assurance. The Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) inspects senior living facilities every two years. Their inspections can be unannounced. You can check a facility’s compliance on this provider search website. If you have additional questions, contact the DQA Bureau of Assisted Living Regional Offices.
In addition to assisted living requirements, memory care facilities must also meet the following requirements:[09]
Wisconsin’s Caregiver Law established specific caregiver programs that were created to ensure the staff and these types of facilities have what they need to provide the best possible care.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
1 W. Wilson St.
Madison, WI, 53703
Phone: 608-266-1865
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
There are currently no COVID-19 mandates for memory care facilities in Madison. However, there are some Wisconsin state guidelines to help with prevention.
Vaccinations. Vaccinations are not required for people living in or visiting memory care facilities.
Masking. Memory care residents and guests are encouraged, but not required, to wear masks when within the facilities.
Facility cleanliness. Staff members are asked to regularly disinfect themselves and common areas.
CDC guidelines. The CDC guidelines are fluid. To stay updated to any changes or see additional information, click here.
Memory care facilities offer personal care to people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other kinds of dementia. What makes memory care facilities different from assisted living facilities is that the staff specialize in working with people who have memory loss. Daily activities are tailored to soothe and engage seniors with dementia. Memory care facilities often also have features designed specifically for dementia patients, such as circular hallways to allow for wandering.
Madison memory care residents can expect someone to be available to help them at all hours of the day or night. Exactly 100% of A Place for Mom’s partnering memory care communities in Madison have 24-hour awake staff who are there to comfort and redirect residents. You can also expect safe and secure indoor common areas. Depending on the community, this may include secure courtyards or a wander management system. Since Madison experiences cold winters, almost all of A Place for Mom’s partnering memory care facilities offer indoor walking spaces.
Residents have access to on-site specialists dedicated to speech therapy, medication administration, and disorientation care. Memory care facilities in Madison tend to have more security features than assisted living facilities to prevent elopements.
Your loved one’s local memory care facility will provide at least some of following amenities to support their quality of life, along with opportunities for engagement with other residents:
There are 16 assisted living communities throughout Madison that offer memory care, making this the city’s most popular and available type of care in our partner network. Residents can expect memory care treatment along with daily assistance on needs such as bathing, dressing, and administering prescription medications.
Seen as a more modern form of care, the three hybrid-style facilities we partner with have options for seniors needing daily assistance in memory care and assisted living, or elderly tenants who are still able to live with little to no help in independent living. Senior tenants are all afforded on-site housing and meals, with varying types of on-site care available as needed to allow for changing needs to be met easily.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Madison as of 2021
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Madison population
Average annual Social Security income for Madison seniors 65 and older as of 2021
Two well-known major medical centers in Madison can provide general, geriatric, and other types of care for city residents along with the local VA hospital.
University Hospital in Madison is the top-ranked health care provider in Madison. Memory care doctors offer dementia care on-site and participate in research at the University of Wisconsin.
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison is the No.2 ranked hospital in Madison and the sixth-best medical center in Wisconsin. The system performs highly in lung surgery, spinal fusions, stroke care, and other specialties and procedures.
Madison’s VA hospital received the highest national award for patient experience in 2022. The hospital offers a wide-variety of care including cancer, cardiology, emergency, geriatrics, mental health, neurology, orthopedics, primary care, transplant surgery, social work and more.
Though memory care residents require a more watchful eye for their own safety, it’s critical that they have some kind of outlet to travel outside of the facility. No senior with dementia should ever travel alone though, even on public transportation.
According to our research, about 81% of the memory care facilities we partner with have at-cost transportation for residents. Some of these communities offer complimentary transportation as well — a total of 29% of our partnered communities offer complimentary transportation.
The County Coordinated Group Rides (CCGR) services cater to adults with developmental disabilities, frail adults, and adults with developmental disabilities enrolled in Long-Term Support through either Family Care, Family Care Partnership, or IRIS. Visit their website for more information about the application process and reservation details for additional transportation provided by Dane County Human Services. Families can reserve rides for their loved ones.
Seniors with memory loss can benefit immensely from indoor and outdoor activities, both of which Madison has in spades. Whether your loved one is enjoying on-site classes or activities within the memory care facility, or spending the day out on the town with a friend or loved one, there is something for all seniors in this quintessential town. We recommend always joining your loved one for outings, or ensuring that they have a caregiver or a friend who can support them.
Seniors can reminisce with their family, admire art, and participate in crafts at these locations:
Seniors and their loved ones can also explore Madison’s natural beauty together. There are outdoor spaces that are senior-friendly in all weather conditions.
The Picnic Point on Marsh Loop Trail is an outdoor path that’s easy to navigate. Families may also consider exploring the UW arboretum and the Howard Temin Lakeshore Path. All seniors with dementia should bring a companion with them when walking outside.
You and your loved one may also enjoy some of Madison’s many accessible outdoor parks, such as the Washington Manor Park, Vilas Henry Park, and Warner Park.
Memory care patients are a vibrant group that can hugely benefit from indoor and outdoor activities, both of which Madison has in spades. Whether your loved one is enjoying on-site classes or activities within the memory care facility of your choice, or spending the day out on the town with a friend or loved one, there is something for all seniors in this quintessential town.
The Wisconsin State Capitol, Wisconsin Veterans Museum, The Wisconsin Historical Museum, The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and Chazen Museum of Art are all fun, cultured adventures that memory care residents and their loved ones can experience together. The Madison Senior Center also has craft sessions, movie matinees, and a slew of other relaxed activities for elderly visitors and their families.
Memory care patients and their loved ones can also explore Madison’s natural beauty together. Stroll through Picnic Point on Marsh Loop Trail, the UW arboretum, and Howard Temin Lakeshore Path, for a start. You can also visit some of Madison’s many accessible outdoor parks like Washington Manor Park, Vilas Henry Park, and Warner Park. Here you’ll find plenty of peaceful outdoor space to enjoy a quiet stroll with your loved ones, sit and watch the people, or just take in the fresh air.
Azura Memory Care of Stoughton, The Waterford at Fitchburg and Kettle Park Senior Living are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Madison, WI. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Madison is $4,687 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
The 62 memory care facilities near you in Madison, Wisconsin typically provide housing, therapies, and care tailored to those who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. To find memory care in Madison, Wisconsin, browse our detailed listings showing photos, floor plans, amenities, activities, and reviews from real families.
Browse A Place for Mom’s listings for memory care in Madison, Wisconsin, to take a virtual tour. Our local senior living experts can arrange for a live tour of these communities as well.
The cost of memory care facilities in Madison, Wisconsin ranges from $1500 to $13484. The average Memory Care cost in Madison, Wisconsin is $4,687. Prices often vary based on care provided, amenities, unit size, and more.
The cost of memory care in Madison, Wisconsin typically starts at $1500. A Place for Mom’s local, expert senior living advisors can help you find affordable memory care facilities near you and offer advice on how to lower costs and pay for care with VA benefits or public payment options.
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A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population Estimates 2021: Madison, Wisconsin [Data set].
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United States Department of Health & Human Services. (2022, December 8). Who’s eligible for Medicare? HHS.gov.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. What Medicare covers. Medicare.gov.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Home health services. Medicare.gov.
Alzheimer’s Association. Medicare.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2015). Compendium of residential care and assisted living regulations and policy: 2015 edition.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best Hospitals in Madison, WI.
U.S. News and World Report. (n.d.). UW Health University Hospital: Geriatrics.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Madison.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
WalletHub. (2022). Best & Worst Places to Retire.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population Estimates 2021: Madison, Wisconsin [Data set].
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2023, March 8). Medicaid Programs for Seniors.
United States Department of Health & Human Services. (2022, December 8). Who’s eligible for Medicare? HHS.gov.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. What Medicare covers. Medicare.gov.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Home health services. Medicare.gov.
Alzheimer’s Association. Medicare.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2015). Compendium of residential care and assisted living regulations and policy: 2015 edition.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best Hospitals in Madison, WI.
U.S. News and World Report. (n.d.). UW Health University Hospital: Geriatrics.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Madison.