Called one of the most “quintessentially American” cities, Madison, Wisconsin, has so much to offer. Between its top-rated museums and art galleries, scenic lakefront views and activities, and historical attractions, Madison is rated the fifth-best city in the nation for the quality of life of senior residents. If you’re looking for quality nursing home care for your loved one, Madison is a great choice.
Typically, “nursing home” is used as a catch-all term to describe many different types of senior care and elderly living facilities. A nursing home refers to a facility providing patients with round-the-clock, hospital-like care to elderly patients.
While A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with any standalone skilled nursing homes, we do partner with assisted living and memory care facilities. Out of these partner communities, two assisted living facilities and three memory care facilities offer on-site skilled nursing care similar to what you might find in a standalone nursing home.
Both options provide on-site care and regular assistance with routine daily activities. In the case of memory care, residents receive specialized care for Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
A Place for Mom partners with 31 assisted living and memory care facilities within a 10-mile radius of central Madison. No matter what degree of care your loved one requires, our senior care facilities treat residents with personalized, top-shelf care that provides regular peace of mind. This guide will explore costs, payment options, care-type specifics, and other notable insights about senior living in Wisconsin’s capital city.
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...
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.
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....
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
McFarland Villa is a really great place. The staff were all very nice and accommodating, and they put up with my loved one. He did not want to live this far away from his friends so he moved. I would...
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...
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...
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...
My parents really enjoy Renaissance place.
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...
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...
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
Stays at senior living facilities vary based on what type of care patients require. The monthly median cost of a private room in a Madison nursing home was $9,551 in 2021.[02] This cost includes room and board, personal care assistance, medication administration and oversight, round-the-clock supervision, therapies and rehabilitation, and skilled nursing care.
According to our proprietary data, the median cost of a one-bedroom assisted living apartment in Madison communities that partner with A Place for Mom was $4,950. The median cost of a one-bedroom memory care apartment in a partnered Madison community is $6,877 a month.[03]
The total monthly cost for assisted living and memory care includes service fees and add-ons. With their investment, tenants can expect 24-hour security, customized care plans, room and board, meals prepared with dietary stipulations in mind, and more. In the case of memory care, services include specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care.
If the prospect of paying for a senior living facility is a daunting one, rest assured that several options can help. Whether you’re going to a skilled nursing facility or require a less intensive level of care, such as assisted living or memory care, your loved one’s stay can be financed privately or federally through avenues like Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, Medicaid, or Medicare. In these tabs, we’ll explore how these payment strategies can apply.
The Wisconsin State Legislature defines nursing homes as places where five or more unrelated people live because they need some level of nursing care 24/7. These facilities have to follow a long list of regulations that govern everything from staff training requirements to care standards.
Here are some of the standards nursing homes must follow:
Both federal and state regulations govern nursing homes. To find out about any Madison nursing home’s compliance, take a look at the annual Consumer Information Reports compiled by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) to help consumers determine the quality of care at all nursing home facilities. You can also use this online provider search tool and filter the results by nursing homes. Or, you can reach out to the DQA’s Bureau of Nursing Home Resident Care Regional Office, which is responsible for licensure and inspection of nursing homes.
Laws and regulations for assisted living and memory care facilities
The DQA’s Bureau of Assisted Living is the branch in charge of licensure and inspection of assisted living and memory care facilities. Facilities are inspected at least once every two years to check for compliance with laws and regulations. To see how facilities fared, use the online provider search tool, or reach out to the DQA’s Bureau of Assisted Living Regional Offices.
Memory care is classified as a form of assisted living, and there are three distinct types of assisted living in Wisconsin:
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services lays out a comprehensive list of resources to help you find more information about each type.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
1 W Wilson St.
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-266-1865
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Madison does not have strict COVID-19 guidelines regarding tenants of nursing homes, memory care, and assisted living facilities in Madison. That said, the city does acknowledge CDC guidelines and takes every step to help ensure tenants and employees take the proper precautions.
Vaccinations. Patients and visitors are not required to be vaccinated.
Masking. Masking is encouraged but not required. Individuals are asked to assess their own personal care needs before choosing to wear a mask
Facility cleanliness. Staff members are asked to regularly disinfect themselves and common areas.
Madison is a beautiful town to settle down in; it’s got a small-town feel with big-city amenities. Considering that there are also 31 assisted living and memory care facilities partnered with A Place for Mom within a 10-mile radius of downtown Madison, there are many options for your loved one to find the perfect fit.[03]
Madison’s senior living facilities offer a variety of activities and amenities to keep residents healthy and engaged:[03]
Residents have semi-private or private rooms with bathrooms attached. They have access to both indoor and outdoor common areas to mingle with their fellow residents and entertain guests.
The kind of care that your loved one might need can evolve over time, which is why there are a wide variety of partnered facilities in Madison that offer a combination of care types:[03]
Within Madison, there are two standalone memory care facilities. Memory care communities are designed to care for and treat residents with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, or other types of dementia. These facilities provide closer supervision for seniors and memory-focused therapy programs. Memory care facilities are often equipped with special security measures to keep your loved one safe and secure, regardless of circumstance. They also employ therapies to reduce confusion and agitation.
There are 14 partner facilities combining assisted living and memory care throughout Madison, making this the most available type of care. Residents can expect memory care treatment along with daily assistance on needs such as bathing, dressing, the administering of any prescription medications, and other services. Those who don’t need memory care will receive general assisted living services.
Seen as a more modern form of care, these tiered care facilities have options for many seniors. These facilities are great for seniors who may not currently need care now but would like to age in place and want security knowing they can access care if they need to down the line. Senior tenants are all provided on-site housing and meals, with varying types of on-site amenities, and convenient services and care available as needed. If care needs change, a move to another facility won’t be necessary.
Know where to start.
Identify the right care for your loved one with our free assessment.
See what you can afford.
Understand cost and payment for long-term care based on your loved one's needs.
Find top facilities for you.
Free, personalized guidance from our Senior Living Advisors can help you narrow your search.
Tour your favorite facilities.
Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Madison residents can attend these two major health care providers for geriatric, general, and other necessary health needs that arise in addition to the VA hospital in Madison.
The assisted living and memory care facilities we partner with offer transportation in different ways. Around 77% offer at-cost transportation options to residents, while over 41% provide complimentary rides. Keep in mind that some communities offer complimentary transportation for some excursions and at-cost transportation at other times. Transportation services for errands and appointments are a nice thing to offer, especially when considering how critical it is to keep elderly residents safe.
Dane County Department of Human Services offers individualized ride options. Those include Older Adult Transportation Assistance (OATA), which provides scheduled door-to-door service to seniors 60 and over, and the Retired Senior and Volunteer Program (RSVP) for people living with disabilities who need drop-offs to medical appointments. Phone numbers for each program are available on the site to make reservations.
Whether with peers on a community outing or with their families, senior living residents have many entertaining activity options in Madison. The city’s reverence for history, natural beauty, and cultural acumen combine to afford something for everyone to do.
If museums are for you, try a visit to the following:
What about games of chance? Ho-Chunk Gaming is a popular casino offering bingo, electric gaming, and other staples.
And if you need some fresh air, the following offer accessible walking paths:
You can also visit Madison’s accessible outdoor spaces including the following:
Azura Memory Care of Stoughton, The Waterford at Fitchburg and New Perspective Sun Prairie are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Madison, WI. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Madison is $4,670 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
WalletHub. (2022). Best and worst places to retire.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
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.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12) Presumptive disability benefits.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2023, March 8). Medicaid programs for seniors.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2023, April 17). Medicaid eligibility handbook.
Wisconsin Medicaid. (2023, January). Home and community-based services waiver programs.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. SNF care coverage. Medicare.gov.
Wisconsin State Legislature. (2022). Special provisions applying to licensing and regulation of nursing homes.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2023, February 1). Background check requirements.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Madison, WI.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
WalletHub. (2022). Best and worst places to retire.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
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.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12) Presumptive disability benefits.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2023, March 8). Medicaid programs for seniors.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2023, April 17). Medicaid eligibility handbook.
Wisconsin Medicaid. (2023, January). Home and community-based services waiver programs.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. SNF care coverage. Medicare.gov.
Wisconsin State Legislature. (2022). Special provisions applying to licensing and regulation of nursing homes.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2023, February 1). Background check requirements.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Madison, WI.