10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Madison, WI
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.
Madison Memory Care Facilities | 205 Reviews
I have lived at the Waterford for 6 years. It is very friendly and the staff is excellent, very kind and courteous. The apartments are spacious and comfortable with fireplaces!
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...
The cleanliness is exemplary but whatever deficiency you find is compensated by the staff. I have minor issues with the way the staff is scheduled, but they have little control over that. The staff however...
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...
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...
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.
In comparison to other alternatives, Charter Senior Living of Verona (formerly Cedarhurst) is a safe, caring and very affordable home for seniors.
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My dad is a resident at Talamore Sun Prairie. He loves it. He is very comfortable and has met friends. I'm glad they have a lot of activities for him and he participates in a lot.
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....
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...
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...
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...
My loved one was previously a resident at Brookdale Middleton Stonefield and the overall experience at this facility was great for her. The staff was friendly and very helpful. Based on our experience, I...
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,...
Cleaning of residents apartments is sub-par. Even though the administrator states they do, the cleaning service they employ does no dusting, no cleaning mirrors, no bed sheet changing. It appears that all...
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 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...
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 staff are very caring, and they work very well with our family. Our loved one has had a lot of issues, and they have kept the lines of communication very open. They work well to get her what she needs...
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...
Our methodology
How we rank order the Madison community options above
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Madison community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
- Proximity to your search location
- Availability of recent, high-quality reviews
- The amount of detailed community information available
Where we source our information
14,000+ communities
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
350,000+ reviews
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
Costs of memory care in the Madison area
Memory care in Madison costs on average $6,460 a month. This monthly fee includes the following services:
- Rent for a private or semi-private room
- Personal care services, such as mobility assistance
- Dementia-specific care services
- Daily meals and snacks
- Housekeeping and maintenance
- Access to amenities, such as a gym
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.
Average monthly cost of Memory Care in Madison, WI vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Memory Care in Madison, WI vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Memory Care in Madison vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Memory Care in Madison, WI by room type
Average cost of Memory Care in Madison over time
How people pay for memory care in Madison
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.
Understand laws and regulations for memory care in Madison
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:
- Residential Care Apartment Complexes: This assisted living type is defined as one that provides room and board, personal care, up to 28 hours a week of supportive care, and nursing services.
- Community-Based Residential Facilities: These offer room and board, support services, and supervision, as well as up to three hours of weekly nursing care.
- Adult Family Homes: These are for a small group of just three to four residents. This includes room and board, care and treatment, and up to seven hours per week of nursing care.
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.
Memory care regulations
In addition to assisted living requirements, memory care facilities must also meet the following requirements:[09]
- Facilities must be staffed enough to meet residents’ needs on a 24-hour basis.
- All staff that offer memory care must complete training in managing the medical and psychological needs of those with dementia. This training must be completed within 90 days of employment.
- Administrators and care staff must all receive 15 hours of continuing education each year.
- Facilities should reach out to family members with updates regularly.
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 contact information
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.
COVID-19 regulations for Madison memory care facilities
There are currently no COVID-19 mandates for memory care facilities in Madison. However, there are some Wisconsin state guidelines to help with prevention.
What to expect from memory care living in Madison
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:
- An activity director
- Arts and crafts center
- Enclosed courtyard
- Indoor and outdoor common areas
- A library
- TV Lounge
Assisted living and memory care
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.
Combination of assisted living, independent living, and memory care facilities
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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Unfamiliar with Madison? Highlights for seniors
Health care for seniors in Madison
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.
Transportation for seniors in Madison
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.
Senior activities in Madison
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.
Culture and history
Seniors can reminisce with their family, admire art, and participate in crafts at these locations:
- Wisconsin State Capitol. Seniors can tour the Wisconsin State Capitol for free on most weekdays without a reservation. If you plan on going with a group larger than 10 people, call ahead to make sure there’s space. The Capitol also offers virtual tours of the rooms, art, and history of the building on their website.
- Wisconsin Veterans Museum. This museum honors the veterans from across the state. The museum is free to all visitors and is open every day except for Mondays. This museum doesn’t offer wheelchairs for visitors but is handicap accessible.
- The Wisconsin Historical Museum. The museum is currently undergoing extensive renovations, the Wisconsin Historical Museum is currently operating pop-up exhibits around the city for free. You can find the hours and locations on the museum’s website.
- The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. This museum has free admission and is open from Thursday to Sunday after noon. The museum doesn’t offer accessible, on-site parking, but the museum is wheelchair accessible.
- Chazen Museum of Art. The Chazen Museum of Art is on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Admission is always free, and there’s a café and coffee shop on-site.
Outdoor attractions
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Azura Memory Care of Stoughton, The Waterford at Fitchburg and New Perspective Sun Prairie 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 $4,619 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
The 61 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 $4,619. 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.
References
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.
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