Assisted Living in Milwaukee, WI

Assisted Living Costs in Milwaukee

The cost of assisted living in Milwaukee ($4,264) is comparable to the Wisconsin median of $4,300 but slightly higher than the $4,000 average across the nation.  Prices are more expensive in some cities in this region of the state, such as Racine ($4,888), Sheboygan ($4,674) and most notably Oshkosh, where assisted living averages $5,000 per month. Rates drop a bit in Janesville ($4,068) and even more in Fond du Lac, where the monthly average is only $3,744.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

The wide price range for senior care in Milwaukee corresponds to different service levels and care settings. Minimal weekday-only care in a group setting costs just $1,408 per month, whereas round-the-clock specialized care in a nursing home averages $9,555.

Residential assisted living that provides meals and accommodations costs $4,264 on average, while homemaker and home health aide services are slightly more expensive at $4,767 per month. When comparing these two care options, it’s important to weigh the value of room and board provided with assisted living versus the extra expenses that accompany in-home care, such as groceries, utility bills, rent or mortgage payments, and home maintenance.

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Milwaukee

Medicaid in Wisconsin

The state of Wisconsin provides low-cost or free health insurance to over 900,000 residents through its Medicaid program that’s jointly funded and regulated by the federal government.

Wisconsin Medicaid coverage is available to eligible low-income residents of all ages, including dependent children, pregnant women, disabled and blind adults and senior citizens. It covers a full range of health care services such as doctor and specialist visits, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, lab work and X-rays, ambulance and nonemergency medical transportation, prescription drugs and institutional nursing home care.

Qualifying for Medicaid

Milwaukee residents who are U.S. citizens or legal immigrants can qualify for long-term care through Medicaid if they’re aged 65 or older or blind or disabled and aged 64 or younger. Individual applicants are limited to $2,313 per month in income and assets with a value of $2,000 or less.

Medicaid counts all sources of income when determining an applicant’s eligibility but disregards some assets such as an owner-occupied home, one vehicle, household and personal effects, and burial plots.

When only one married spouse needs coverage, the individual income and asset limits apply. To meet Medicaid’s requirements to prevent spousal impoverishment, the non-applicant may receive up to $3,160.50 of the applicant’s monthly income as a minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance. They may also retain up to $126,420 of the couple’s joint assets as a resource allowance.

Seniors with income above the limit may be able to use a Medicaid Deductible plan to qualify. This involves deducting the program’s current income limit from an applicant’s monthly income then multiplying by six. Once the resulting deductible figure has been spent on approved medical expenses, the applicant qualifies for six months of Medicaid coverage.

Applying for Medicaid

Milwaukee residents can apply for Wisconsin Medicaid online or call (800) 362-3002 for information or assistance completing an application.

The Wisconsin Medicaid program only provides institutional nursing home care as an entitlement. The state does offer two waivers that provide seniors who wish to remain in the community with alternatives to nursing home admission.

Family Care Waiver

The Family Care waiver program provides services through a managed care organization. Approved participants are assessed by their MCO, and a personalized care plan is developed to meet their needs. Based on this plan, seniors receive funds to pay for support services at home or in a community setting such as an assisted living facility.

Covered services may include:

• Relocation assistance
• Care coordination
• Assistance with daily living activities
• Occupational, physical and speech therapy
• Skilled nursing care
• Adaptive aides
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Medical transportation

To qualify for the program, applicants must be Medicaid-eligible, aged 65 or older or disabled/blind and aged 18 to 64, and need daily help to remain independent and avoid nursing home admission.

Include, Respect, I Self-Direct Waiver

The IRIS waiver provides participants with a monthly budget to use toward services and supports. The amount of funding received is based on a needs assessment and care plan developed by the participant’s assigned case manager.

To qualify, Milwaukee seniors must be Medicaid-eligible, aged 65 or older or disabled if younger, reside in a private home, residential care facility or adult family home, and need nursing-facility level care.

Participants may use their budget for various goods and services, including residential or adult day care, personal care, nursing services, medical equipment and supplies, nonmedical transportation, meals and assistive technologies.

To learn more about the Family Care and IRIS waiver programs or apply, seniors can contact the Milwaukee County Department on Aging at (414) 289-6874.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

State Supplemental Income Benefit

Milwaukee residents who qualify for Supplemental Security Income are also eligible for a monthly top-up payment from the state of Wisconsin. The amount of this state SSI benefit depends on an applicant’s living arrangement and income, but it may be as high as $179.77 per person. Those who qualify for SSI benefits also receive Wisconsin Medicaid coverage.

To apply for federal and Wisconsin SSI benefits, Milwaukee residents can call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits

Milwaukee veterans and their spouses who receive a VA pension and have increased care needs and costs may be eligible for additional monthly funds through the VA Aid and Attendance program. Applicants must have an annual income of $22,577 or less and one of these qualifying conditions:

• Debilitating vision loss even with corrective lenses or severe visual field contraction
• Inability to complete activities of daily living without assistance
• Largely confined to bed because of chronic illness or disability
• Functional or cognitive impairment that requires nursing home admission

Successful applicants also can’t be receiving a VA disability pension and must be honorably discharged with a minimum 90-day active duty service record that includes one or more days during wartime.

Senior veterans can obtain help completing and filing an application for A&A benefits by contacting the Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office at (414) 266-1235.

Assisted Living Resources in Milwaukee

Senior Centers

The Milwaukee County Department on Aging operates the city’s four busy seniors centers where residents aged 50 and older gather to socialize and take part in an array of recreational, fitness and educational programming. Depending on the center they attend, seniors can stay fit with tai chi, chair dancing and light aerobics, join woodshop, painting or jewelry-making classes, take part in Bible studies or Buddist meditation, or enjoy a game of Scrabble, chess or sheepshead.

The centers also offer nutritious hot lunches on weekdays, regular seminars on relevant topics, health screenings, one-on-one counseling, special events such as concerts and parties, fun outings to area attractions and day trips to interesting destinations.

Clinton Rose Senior Center
3045 N. Martin Luther King Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53212
(414) 263-2255

McGovern Park Senior Center
4500 W. Custer Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218
(414) 527-0990

Washington Park Senior Center
4420 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI 53208
(414) 933-2332

Wilson Park Senior Center
2601 W. Howard Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53221
(414) 282-3284

Veterans Resources

Local senior veterans can access a comprehensive range of health care services at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, including primary, acute and specialty care such as surgery, neurology, oncology and audiology. Milwaukee County Veterans Service officers can help veterans determine the federal and state benefits they’re eligible for and provide application and appeal assistance.

Milwaukee VA Medical Center 
5000 W. National Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53295
(414) 384-2000 

Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office
6419 W. Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53214
(414) 266-1235