Assisted Living in Superior, WI

Assisted Living Costs in Superior

At $4,250, the average monthly cost of assisted living in Superior is comparable to the state average of $4,300 and higher than the national average of $4,000. Prices are more expensive in the nearby cities of Wausau ($4,644) and Eau Claire ($4,475). 

With costs in most areas statewide ranging between $4,300 and $4,800, prices are highest in Oshkosh ($5,000) and lowest in La Cross ($2,638). 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Superior, so data for the closest city, Duluth, MN, was used. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

In Superior, the average cost of semiprivate nursing home care is $9,011, which is more than twice the cost of assisted living. The price difference is due to the fact that nursing homes provide around-the-clock skilled nursing care, while seniors in assisted living tend to be free from major health issues. 

In-home care costs start at $4,004 per month for a homemaker service and go up to $4,767 for a home health aide. Adult day health services, which include nonmedical care in a group setting, cost an average of $1,752 per month. Seniors considering in-home care should also factor in additional costs involved with staying at home, such as rent, food and home insurance. 

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Superior

Medicaid in Wisconsin

Medicaid, a government-funded health plan for needy children, seniors, and adults with disabilities, gives approximately 16% of Wisconsin residents access to basic health care services. By law, Medicaid participants are guaranteed certain benefits, such as inpatient and outpatient hospital services, physician services and nursing home care. 

Because each state administers its own Medicaid program, optional state-specific benefits may also include personal care, vision and dental care, prescription medication coverage and case management. 

Qualifying for Long-Term Medicaid

Seniors aged 65 and older may be eligible for long-term Wisconsin Medicaid benefits if they meet the financial and care needs criteria. To qualify, applicants must have a monthly income of $2,313 or less and have assets valued at $2,000 or less.

If both spouses in a married couple require Medicaid, the monthly joint income limit is set at $4,626 and the joint asset limit is $3,000. When only one spouse needs Medicaid, individual asset and income limits apply, and any income earned by the non-applicant is disregarded. 

The non-applicant may receive top-up funds from the applicant’s income to prevent spousal impoverishment. Under the minimum monthly needs allowance rule, a monthly spousal income transfer can raise the non-applicant’s monthly income to a maximum of $3,160.50. 

Medicaid Deductible Plan

Seniors who have income that exceeds Medicaid limits but otherwise meet the enrollment criteria may be able to enroll in a Medicaid Deductible plan. 

This plan allows seniors to subtract the cost of out-of-pocket medical expenses from their income up to a predetermined deductible amount that resets every six months. Once the senior meets their deductible, Medicaid coverage is activated for the remainder of the six-month period. 

To apply for Wisconsin Medicaid and learn more about the Medical Deductible plan, call the Member Services Hotline at (800) 362-3002. 

Include, Respect, I Self-Direct Waiver

Wisconsin’s IRIS waiver is a self-directed nursing home diversion program that provides eligible Medicaid enrollees with a monthly budget for use towards personal care and support services. 

The amount of money each IRIS receives each month is based on their care needs as determined by a case manager. Seniors are encouraged to manage their own IRIS budget, prioritize their care needs and choose the services that best fit their personal preferences and goals. 

Participants can use their IRIS funds to pay for a wide range of approved expenses, such as:

• Adaptive and communication aids
• Adult day health services
• Home-delivered meals
• A medical alert system
• Home care
• Transportation
• Counselling and rehabilitation therapy

Under the IRIS, participants can hire friends and family members to provide personal care services. Participants who reside in an assisted living setting are eligible for IRIS funding, however, IRIS money cannot be used to pay for assisted living costs.  

Family Care

Family Care provides Medicaid-eligible seniors who need the level of care normally provided in a nursing home with long-term care services delivered through a managed-care organization. These services are designed to let seniors remain in a noninstitutional setting, such as an assisted living facility, and may include: 

• Skilled nursing
• Personal care
• Mobility devices
• Adult day health programming
• Respite care
• Transportation
• A personal emergency response system

Services are assigned based on the needs of each participant as identified by an interdisciplinary care management team consisting of a case manager and a registered nurse. In Douglas County, the Family Care program is administered by Inclusa. 

Note: Seniors may enroll in either Family Care or IRIS. 

For more information on the IRIS waiver and the Family Care program, contact the Douglas County Aging and Disability Resource Center at (715) 395-1234. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Exceptional Expense Supplemental Security Income Benefits

Seniors who receive Supplemental Security Income payments and reside in a licensed or certified assisted living facility and/or need at least 40 hours of long-term care per month may qualify for SSI-E benefits. 

SSI-E offers a monthly amount of up to $95.99 per person. Applicants in Superior must be certified for the benefit by the Douglas County Department of Health and Human Services. 

To request an SSI-E assessment, call (715) 395-1280 or the Great Rivers Call Center at (888) 283-0012. 

Veterans Aid and Attendance and Housebound

The VA sponsors two enhanced pension programs that provide eligible veterans and survivors with funds that can be used towards the cost of assisted living. To qualify for either of these programs, applicants must be eligible to receive regular VA pension benefits or be eligible under the increased amounts provided. 

For Aid and Attendance, applicants must either need help from another person to perform activities of daily living, reside in a nursing home, be bedridden or be legally blind. 

For Housebound, applicants must have one disability rated at 100% which renders them housebound, or have one disability rated at 100% and another rated at 60% or greater. 

Applicants may only collect benefits from one of these two programs. 

For more information and application assistance, contact the Douglas County Veterans Service Office at (715) 395-1331. 

Assisted Living Resources in Superior

Recreation and Leisure Centers

There are two senior citizen centers in Superior that offer low-cost recreational programs for seniors aged 60 and older. Seniors can participate in card games, join fitness classes and take part in special holiday events. 

For up-to-date program information and opening hours, call the Superior Senior Citizen Center at (715) 394-3644 or the East End Senior Center at (715) 398-6446. 

Seniors Services

Seniors Connections, Inc. is the County Aging Unit that provides free wellness programs, communal meals, information and transportation to seniors aged 60 and older. 

Seniors can meet with an Elder Benefits Specialist to learn about benefits programs, borrow durable medical equipment from the Loan Closet and participate in weekly healthy living workshops. 

Senior Connections, Inc.
1805 N. 16th St., Superior, WI 54880
(715) 394-3611

Veterans Services

The Douglas County Veterans Service Office helps veterans and their families obtain their maximum state and federal benefits by assisting with the claim filing process. Veteran service officers can also obtain military records and arrange transportation to VA health services.

Outpatient VA health services, including primary care, women’s health, audiology and optometry care, are available at the Twin Ports VA Clinic, part of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. 

Douglas County Veterans Service Office
1316 N. 14th St., Superior, WI 54880
(715) 395-1331

Twin Ports VA Clinic
3520 Tower Ave., Superior, WI 54880-5335
(715) 398-2400