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As the second-largest city in Wisconsin, Milwaukee has a population of almost 600,000 residents, 10.2% of whom are seniors aged 65 and older. Sitting just off of Lake Michigan’s western shore, Milwaukee is a great place for seniors who enjoy living near the water. Milwaukee is known for its many popular attractions, such as several breweries and the Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World and Milwaukee County Zoo.
There are 88 assisted living communities in Milwaukee County. Seniors here can expect to pay an average of $4,485 per month for care, although prices may vary depending on the location of a facility and the services and amenities offered.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
Milwaukee’s monthly average assisted living cost is $4,485, which is slightly higher than the statewide average of $4,350 and $434 higher than the national average of $4,051. The cost of assisted living in Milwaukee is also higher than in neighboring states. Illinois has an average cost of $4,170 per month, and in Minnesota, seniors pay $3,800.
Assisted living costs in Milwaukee are less expensive than in many other neighboring cities in Wisconsin. Costs are higher in cities near Lake Michigan, such as Oshkosh ($5,471), Racine ($4,788) and Sheboygan ($4,754). However, cities further away from Lake Michigan cost less, including the capital city of Madison ($3,950).
Wisconsin’s Medicaid program, known as the Medicaid State Plan, operates the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) for qualifying low-income seniors who need assistance with their assisted living costs. This waiver helps seniors avoid nursing home placement and receive services in a community setting, such as an assisted living facility. Some of the services covered by this waiver include assistance with daily activities, medically necessary transportation and adult day services.
Learn more about the ALW, as well as the eligibility requirements and application process, on our Assisted Living in Wisconsin page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Milwaukee County Department on Aging | (414) 289-6874(local)(866) 229-9695(statewide) | The Milwaukee County Department on Aging provides information about and assistance with community resources for seniors. This includes information about public and private benefits, including Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, as well as dementia care and elder abuse. It provides senior dining and offers educational, social, fitness and recreational opportunities at the five county-owned senior centers. The department also helps seniors explore options for long-term care. |
| IRIS | (888) 515-4747 | IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) is a self-directed program for low-income Medicaid-eligible seniors. This program helps seniors determine which type of long-term care and services they require. Services include transportation and housing counseling. The program is run by the IRIS Management Section of the Division of Medicaid Services, which is a part of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Enrollment is handled by the Milwaukee County Department on Aging. |
| Milwaukee County Veterans Services | (414) 266-1234 | Milwaukee County Veterans Services assists veterans, dependents and survivors with information about benefits available to them through the VA program, including pension programs and health care services, as well as state and federal benefits that can help with the cost of assisted living. |
| Legal Action of Wisconsin (Milwaukee) | (414) 278-7722 | Legal Action of Wisconsin is a nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services to qualified, income-eligible individuals. The organization assists seniors with legal matters, including Social Security benefits, public benefits, veterans’ issues, elder rights and housing. The firm works with hundreds of active volunteer attorneys who help support the staff attorneys in their casework. |
| Eras Senior Network | (414) 488-6500 | Eras Senior Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping seniors and adults with disabilities maintain their independence through the assistance of their volunteers, which are of all ages. Volunteers provide rides for medical and personal transportation needs, as well as social visits, telephone calls and help with filling out forms and writing letters. The organization also conducts presentations that cover common types of frauds and scams targeting the senior population. |
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services licenses and regulates assisted living communities in all of Wisconsin, including Milwaukee. Assisted living communities in Milwaukee must follow state laws and regulations that concern accommodations, medication administration, staffing and health and safety standards. Visit our Assisted Living in Wisconsin page to learn more about these laws and regulations.