4 Assisted Living Communities in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,475 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 4 Assisted Living Communities in Eau Claire and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Eau Claire, WI

• Assisted Living: $4,475
• Nursing Home Care: $7,422
• In-home Care: $4,576
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,885

According to the Genworth Cost of Care survey from 2018, the average cost of assisted living in Eau Claire is $4,475 per month, which is $475 more than the average U.S. city and $175 more than in the average city in Wisconsin. While the cost is higher in Eau Claire than in many other cities in the state, seniors in Oshkosh pay quite a bit more: the average cost in the city is $5,000 per month. Seniors looking for a more economical option can consider assisted living option in cities such as Fond du Lac, where the average monthly cost is just $3,744, or in La Crosse, where the cost is the lowest in the state at an average of $2,638 per month. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Eau ClaireNational Ave…State AverageFond du LacGreen BayLa CrosseMadisonOshkosh$2,500$3,000$3,500$4,000$4,500$5,000

RegionCost of Assisted Living

Eau Claire$4,475.00

National Average$4,000.00

State Average$4,300.00

Fond du Lac$3,744.00

Green Bay$4,075.00

La Crosse$2,638.00

Madison$4,363.00

Oshkosh$5,000.00

$2,500

Senior care costs differ a lot depending on the type of care needed, and in Eau Claire, this is especially true. Nursing home care costs more than double that of homemaker services and assisted living, and over $4,000 more than hiring a home health aide. While assisted living and home care options are all priced within several hundred dollars of each other, it’s important for seniors considering home care to include other costs in their budgets such as housing and food expenses. While assisted living facilities typically include these costs in their prices, seniors who choose to live at home are responsible for paying these costs out of their own pockets. 

 

Wisconsin’s Medicaid plan helps those with lower incomes access health care and medical services. It features programs that are specifically designed to help senior citizens access long-term care options, such as assisted living, and covers costs such as primary care, hospital services and prescription medications for all of its beneficiaries. 

To qualify for Medicaid in Wisconsin as an elderly person, applicants need to be at least 65 years of age. Their income should be no higher than $597.78 per month ($903.38 for married couples), and they shouldn’t possess more than $2,000 in countable assets ($3,000 for married couples). According to Medicaid, income is defined as any money that an applicant receives, regardless of the source. Some assets are exempt from consideration, including the applicant’s house, car and personal belongings. 

Seniors who wish to apply for the Medicaid state plan can do so online, or by calling the Great Rivers Consortium at (888) 283-0012.

IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self Direct)

IRIS is a self-directed Medicaid program that helps seniors and disabled adults living in Wisconsin. It enables participants to create and work towards their own long-term care goals by providing a caseworker to help the participant decide the goods, services and support they require to achieve their goals — provided their needs fall within the plan’s budget. Even though this program is targeted toward independent seniors, it is available to those who reside in assisted living facilities. Covered services include supportive care, communication aids, daily living skills training and transportation.

To be eligible, applicants need to be at least 18 years old and disabled, or at least 65 if applying on the basis of age. All applicants must be legal, full-time residents of Wisconsin and require a nursing home level of care. Financially, seniors must be eligible for the Medicaid state plan.

To apply, seniors living in Eau Claire can contact the Aging & Disability Resource Center at (715) 839-4735.

State SSI Payment/Wisconsin SSI Exceptional Expense Supplement

Seniors who are eligible for the federal Supplemental Security Income benefit are usually also eligible to receive Wisconsin’s State SSI payment and the SSI-E. The payment is combined with the federal benefit and paid to recipients once per month. The amount varies depending on the senior’s living situation and marital status, but for married couples living in assisted living or nursing care facilities, it may be as much as $477.41 per month. 

To qualify, seniors must be eligible for the federal benefit and have no more than $2,000 in countable assets ($3,000 for married couples). 

For more details about this benefit, seniors can contact the Great Rivers Consortium at (888) 283-0012. 

Elderlife Bridge Loan

Seniors who are struggling with funding the move to an assisted living facility can enlist the help of Elderlife Financial Services, which provides bridge loans to seniors who require temporary financial assistance. These loans operate as a line of credit and are meant to help seniors manage the upfront costs associated with moving to a long-term care facility. Payments must be made monthly. Many seniors use these loans to provide them with the funds they need while waiting on the sale of a house to close or benefits to begin. 

Eligibility depends mostly on income and credit; however, seniors who don’t qualify on their own have the option of including up to six cosigners on their application to help decrease payments and increase their chances of approval. 

To apply for an Elderlife bridge loan or for more information, seniors can contact Elderlife at (888) 228-4500.

The Aging & Disability Resource Center in Eau Claire helps older adults aged 60 and above access benefits and preserve their independence. It offers services that include nutritional counseling, respite care, benefits counseling and caregiver training. Aging & Disability Resource Center
721 Oxford Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 839-4735

Seniors who are eligible for VA benefits can access health care services at two VA clinics that are located in the Eau Claire area. The Chippewa Valley VA Clinic and the Rice Valley VA Clinic offers a variety of services, including primary care, mental health care, cardiology and dermatology.

Chippewa Valley VA Clinic
475 Chippewa Mall Dr., Ste 418, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729-5047
(715) 720-3780

Rice Lake VA Clinic
2700A College Dr., Rice Lake, WI 54868-2449
(715) 236-3355

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.