Not many midsize U.S. cities provide the wide variety of perks that Wisconsin’s state capital has to offer. With its scenic lakefronts, the state’s largest university, and array of engaging cultural and historical attractions, it’s no surprise that Madison is known as the 24th-best major city for retirees.
Madison’s assisted living communities offer long-term living options for seniors as well as individualized care from trained professionals. Although many assisted living residents are somewhat active individuals, they may require help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as getting dressed or bathing. Besides this assistance with everyday activities, seniors in Madison’s assisted living communities will have access to a variety of helpful services and activities. These include medication management, facility trips and outings, special dietary options, and more — ensuring residents have highly convenient living arrangements tailored to their needs.
In this guide, A Place for Mom lists partner facilities in Madison and discusses payment and support options, local health care options, transportation information, and the city’s sights and sounds.
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...
I have lived here 9 years and this is my home! I love it here and all the 5's I gave it is true. I would not have been here 9 years if I didn't love it here. All employee are great.
I would highly recommend the Timberwood Lodge Assisted Living and Memory Care community. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Place is clean. My Mom is very well taken care of. The place now has a dog,...
Dad often complains of slow service, long waits for help with the urinal. Some caregivers are very good, others rude and impatient.
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...
We are thrilled with Coventry! I would rank all categories at a 5 and this is the 3rd assisted living we have used in the Madison area! We are very pleased with the staff!
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...
Everyone is so friendly & I love how they interact with all the residents. My Mom seems happy there. It’s like a big family! The place is well secured, so give me peace of mind and thinking that my Mom is...
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...
Ever since my first communication with [name removed], the entire process has been welcoming and simple. My mom has been living there almost a month, and I am grateful for the staff that is there. You can...
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....
My dad lives here now and I can't express how happy my family is that's he's getting so much better care ?? I feel much happier visiting him because he always has a smile on his face. He likes being around...
Very nice facility. The Director is excellent. My friend really enjoys the food and all of the interns. Everyone is very friendly and they do an excellent job with meds, laundry, social activities, and care...
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,...
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.
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...
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...
The entire staff at Eden Vista were absolutely outstanding. All of the younger helpers were so friendly and courteous and kind to my mom. The nursing staff and management staff did everything we asked and...
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
The average cost of our Madison partner assisted living facilities is $6,181 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[02] This price includes service fees, add-ons, and care costs, but please note that individual costs may vary based on a resident’s chosen floor plan and additional services.
This monthly fee paid by assisted living residents in Madison may cover the following:[02]
• Room and board
• 24-hour care and assistance
• Housekeeping
• Laundry
• Maintenance and repairs to living spaces
• Healthy meals
• Community amenities and on-site activities
The following represent baseline fees for assisted living facilities across the greater Madison area and don’t account for additional expenses.
When you’re paying for assisted living in Madison, you have both private and public funding options at your disposal — and many families rely on a mixture of both to fund a loved one’s stay. Payment options include private funding, assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
Here, we’ll run through the specifics of each option to help you discover what applies to your situation.
Whether you’ve amassed the savings needed to pay for an assisted living stay in Madison or have family members willing to help out, private payment options are one way to foot the bill. Overall, personal payment can be one of the least complicated and most direct ways to pay for assisted living stays.
A healthy personal checking or savings account is a solid start. However, if a senior collects Social Security benefits or a pension, that’s another helpful financing stream. Don’t forget to look into investment portfolios or relevant insurance policies as well.
Here are some other methods you can explore if you’re looking to pay for an assisted living stay through private methods:
Approximately 9,689 veterans live in Madison, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
About 26% of Madison veterans are 75 or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Prospective assisted living residents who have served in the military — as well as their spouses — could consider VA-provided benefits when looking into how to pay for assisted living.
Consider the following resources:
• The VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit is an especially useful benefit for veterans, as it can boost funding to their Veterans Pension that they could then use to offset costs at assisted living communities.{{citation:4}
• Wisconsin also offers a Military Retirement Benefits Exemption that ensures veterans’ benefits aren’t taxed by the state. Veterans can apply these savings to their monthly fees at assisted living facilities.
• The Dane County Veterans Services Office and their trained representatives can help you determine if you qualify for any VA benefits and help you with the application process.
• The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Wisconsin, Veterans of Foreign Wars Day Post, and the American Legion are good resources for additional information. It’s always worth reaching out to check into all potential options and to receive benefit counseling and advocacy during the application process.
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
Severson-Cairns American Legion Post 501
105 Dempsey Road
Madison, WI 53614
Phone: 608-244-7716
Wisconsin Medicaid is the state’s health insurance program for seniors who have a lower income. Many seniors who have exhausted their private savings may become Medicaid recipients.
While it does not pay for room and board, Wisconsin’s Medicaid program does cover care within assisted living facilities via waivers from Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs. These waivers enable seniors to receive care services while remaining in the community of their choice. To get coverage for assisted living services in Wisconsin, recipients’ annual household finances must fall below the Medicaid threshold: $19,392 for one person and $26,228 for two.[05]
Additionally, recipients must require help with activities of daily living such as the following:
Alternatively, they may need assistance with instrumental activities of daily living such as the following:
The specific services Wisconsin Medicaid will cover within assisted living facilities can vary depending on the recipient’s needs and the HCBS waiver they’re using.
For seniors 65 or older in need of income-based prescription assistance, SeniorCare is available for just $30 a year. Interested applicants can sign up the month of their 65th birthday or after.
Those interested in applying for Wisconsin Medicaid can review the state’s eligibility handbook for application details. Besides this, the Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long-Term Care, its Ombudsman Program, and the local Area Agency on Aging can assist seniors and their families with aging-related questions and inquiries. The Job Center at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services can also be a great resource.
Madison resident Medicaid resources
Wisconsin Department of Health Service’s Job Center
1819 Aberg Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 888-794-5556
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
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 seniors over the age of 65.
Seniors should be aware that Medicare doesn’t cover custodial costs (such as room and board) within assisted living facilities. However, Medicare recipients will be glad to know that it will cover medically necessary costs no matter where they choose to live.
Coverage can include the following:[06]
Medicare may also cover the following in-home health services for assisted living residents:[07]
Wisconsin’s SeniorCare is available for just $30 a year for seniors 65 or older who need income-based prescription assistance. Interested applicants can sign up upon turning 65. The state also has a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program to help low-income seniors with premium and copay costs. My Choice Wisconsin — a managed care organization providing long-term care and health services that help seniors live more independently — offers five statewide programs:
Those interested in applying for My Choice Wisconsin can do so via phone, in person, or by mailing out an application.
Madison has a wealth of Medicare experts available to help you understand your or a loved one’s eligibility and coverage.
Through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), interested parties can receive counseling on how to enroll for Medicare, what payment options are available, and other information that will help them make an informed decision. Those interested in working with a SHIP counselor can start by calling the Medigap Helpline or the Medigap Part D and Prescription Drug Helpline.
The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dane County is another local resource residents can use if they’d rather connect with someone in person.
Wisconsin’s Board on Aging and Long-Term Care has an Ombudsman Program that helps answer questions, and local Social Security offices can also provide specific information regarding Medicare eligibility and coverage, too.
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 assisted living facilities fall under the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) and are expected to be licensed. The Wisconsin DQA is responsible for overseeing the state’s three different classifications of assisted living facilities:
The Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) is specifically responsible for inspecting all these assisted living facilities, and the inspections may be announced or unannounced. Facilities are surveyed every two years and are graded in these areas:[09]
Staff and residents are observed or interviewed, and records are reviewed to ensure compliance. All surveys include safety code reviews, which look at several environmental safety factors. These factors include fire safety, evacuation rules, storage of hazardous materials, and required inspections.[08]
To check the compliance history of an assisted living facility or see if it has any complaints against it, reach out to the Division of Quality Assurance Bureau of Assisted Living Regional Offices. You can also use the Wisconsin Department of Health Services provider search to find any Statements of Deficiencies (SODs) and what was done to correct any issues.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) website features a comprehensive list of resources to help identify whether a facility is operating compliantly. You can find details about the caregiver background check process, certification status, how residents should be transported from assisted living facilities to hospitals, and much more. The DHS also has assisted living standards of practice resources to make them easier to understand.
Wisconsin’s Caregiver Law established specific caregiver programs that are designed to ensure seniors receive the highest quality care possible. These include:
1 W Wilson St.
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-266-1865
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Both Madison and the state of Wisconsin have suggested precautions surrounding COVID-19, but have no current mandates. The state does provide guidance for assisted living facilities.
Vaccinations. COVID-19 vaccinations are not mandatory, but the state recommends vaccines and boosters.
Masking. Masks are not mandatory, but some facilities may require them.
Quarantining. Regardless of their vaccination status, residents who are quarantining or have COVID-19 are asked not to participate in communal activities in assisted living facilities. Likewise, staffers with COVID-19 should not attend work.
Madison has it all: The vibrance and culture you’d expect from a college town, all the natural beauty the Badger State has to offer, and the quaint charm of a medium-sized Midwestern city.
Considering that there are many assisted living partners in A Place for Mom’s Madison network, seniors can rest assured that Madison will be a top-tier place to spend their later years.[02]
Madison’s many in-network assisted living facilities offer residents a plethora of perks that will keep them healthy and engaged. Madison’s assisted living communities will provide high-quality care for residents
Madison’s partner assisted living facilities offer a plethora of on-site services that will keep residents healthy and engaged. Depending on the community, you’ll find high-quality care and support with features such as:[02]
The following amenities and activities are also typically available for vibrant seniors who enjoy leisure time and getting social with fellow residents:[02]
All in all, Madison’s assisted living communities provide a balance of quality, health-related care and the services seniors need to truly enjoy their long-term care.
Although prospective residents can choose one of A Place for Mom’s eight partner standalone assisted living facilities, there are facilities in Madison that offer a combination of care types:[02]
These wide-ranging care options can put seniors and families at ease if they’re concerned about having continuity of care.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Madison
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Madison population
Average Social Security annual 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 VA hospital:
University Hospital in Madison is the top-ranked health care provider in Madison. It’s also listed as the 35th-best hospital nationally for geriatric care.
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 for veterans.
Over 80% of the assisted living communities we partner with offer either complimentary or at-cost transportation to residents. This makes it easy and convenient for residents to travel for a doctor appointment, go shopping, or attend an off-site event. But when loved ones are coming to visit or preparing to take a resident on an outing, other transportation options might be important, too.
Like many other U.S. cities, Madison is best traveled via car.[10] Despite this, seniors in the city’s assisted living communities who don’t have their own vehicles shouldn’t worry: Madison has a variety of other transportation offerings they can take advantage of.
Madison has 41 bus lines and other specialized services that can help seniors get to wherever they need to go. First, Metro Transit helps passengers travel throughout the city on accessible buses. Accessibility features include the following:
Passengers 65 and older or those living with disabilities can ride the Metro Transit for $1 if they present an Americans with Disabilities Act-approved transit card or Metro senior/disability card. At the same time, the city’s paratransit service ensures that riders who can’t take advantage of fixed-route buses can get where they need to go.
Besides this service, Dane County Department of Human Services offers two transportation services to seniors and people with disabilities. Group Access Service provides regularly scheduled drop-offs to sites throughout Madison. Similarly, Dane County’s Older Adult Transportation Assistance program also provides seniors with rides to important appointments or meetings. Accessible service is available.
Madison’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) offers door-to-door pickups and drop-offs for seniors needing rides to health appointments. Volunteers use personal vehicles, so rides aren’t always accessible.
Below are Madison’s Walk Score ratings. Scores range from zero to 100, and a higher score points to a mode of transportation that’s easily to access.[10] These scores might be particularly useful for those visiting loved ones who need to make their way around the city.
Whether seniors are art lovers, social butterflies, history buffs, or anything in between, Madison has a wide variety of engaging activities to take part in and sights to see. Visiting loved ones are sure to enjoy the city as well.
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is free to visit, and fans of art can also take in displays free of charge at the Chazen Museum of Art on the University of Wisconsin’s flagship Madison campus.
Standing out clearly to anyone walking around downtown Madison, the Wisconsin State Capitol is open to the public and offers fascinating (and free) tours daily.
Senior history buffs and their families will also be happy to know that the Wisconsin Veterans Museum is free to the public. Those looking for family-oriented historical fun will enjoy exploring the Wisconsin Historical Museum.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens was voted one of the “top 10 most inspiring gardens in North America,” and the grounds are wheelchair accessible. Visitors can attend a wide range of events and classes or explore the Bolz Conservatory.
The Olbrich Botanical Gardens offer the following accessibility features:
Animal lovers will enjoy the Henry Vilas Zoo. The facility is wheelchair-accessible, with push wheelchairs available for rent for $5.
The Waterford at Fitchburg, Azura Memory Care of Stoughton and Kettle Park Senior Living are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Madison, WI. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Madison is $4,631 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
WalletHub. (2023, September 5). Best and 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].
United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Benefits.gov. Wisconsin Medicaid.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. What Medicare covers. Medicare.gov.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Home health services. Medicare.gov.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2023, August 2). Assisted living: Survey guide.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best Hospitals in Madison, WI.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Madison.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
WalletHub. (2023, September 5). Best and 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].
United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Benefits.gov. Wisconsin Medicaid.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. What Medicare covers. Medicare.gov.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Home health services. Medicare.gov.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2023, August 2). Assisted living: Survey guide.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best Hospitals in Madison, WI.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Madison.