The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports that about 120,000 residents live with dementia. If your loved one is struggling with cognitive decline, they're far from alone. There are several memory care programs that can help.
However, many families worry about the cost of memory care. They don't know the cost of Alzheimer's care expenses and can't budget effectively. Read on to demystify memory care costs with all the information families need to know.
The average cost of a Wisconsin assisted living community is about $5,500 monthly.
According to the same Genworth survey, memory care tends to be an additional $950-$1,375 per month. This brings the average cost up to the $6,540-$6,875 range.
However, other reports note that the cost of memory care in Wisconsin averages between $4,600 and $7,000. The reported average falls into the higher end of this range, but there is a lot of variation in memory care community costs.
One reason for this variation is location. Some areas of Wisconsin have lower memory care rates while others charge more. Burlington's specific average is about $4,466 monthly, so it's below both Wisconsin and national averages!
The answer to this question is a resounding "yes." Some monthly costs that average Burlington residents may pay outside of memory care include:
This adds up to $2,255. General Wisconsin living costs are $2,211 lower than the average cost of all-inclusive memory care.
However, the $2,255 doesn't include anything beyond basic living expenses. It doesn't account for entertainment money.
Communities have all-inclusive fees for:
It's also important to consider that seniors require memory care because they can't care for themselves. Investing in a community means:
Seniors in memory care also get:
Dementia care expenses are all-inclusive and come with a lot of important features.
The community you choose is the first thing that impacts senior living fees.
There's a lot of variation in the quality of various memory care communities across Wisconsin. Those that cost less will come with fewer services and amenities. Low costs also frequently equate to low quality of care.
You get what you pay for when it comes to senior living!
Higher-priced communities will come with better-trained staff specialized in working with Alzheimer's and dementia patients. Residents also unlock better living spaces and more community amenities.
When choosing a memory care community, don't just look at the price tag. Look at the value of your senior living fees. Paying a little extra for better services is worth it when your loved one gets a higher quality of life.
Those in memory care already require a higher level of care than standard assisted living residents. This means that memory care is more expensive than the alternative.
However, the reasons for rate fluctuations go beyond this fact.
Some assisted living and memory care residents will need more help than others. A personalized care plan may include daily care tasks like:
Residents in both living options will pay depending on the specific level of services needed. At Arbor View, our caregivers discuss each resident's specific needs with them. Families get involved in discussions as well, so we can create comprehensive and effective tailored care plans.
Arbor View offers Wisconsin residents several different floor plans to choose from.
Studios are laid out like hotel rooms. They have a bed, kitchenette, and living room all within one space. The bathroom is annexed onto the suite.
One-bedroom apartments have a bedroom that's separate from the living room and kitchen. All of the rooms are divided up. These apartments are made to look like traditional units one might rent outside the community.
Memory care floor plans greatly influence costs. Families should:
Knowing what to expect can help you cut dementia care costs more effectively.
Most families look into sources of personal funding to pay for memory care. Long-term savings accounts and personal checking accounts provide funding. So does social security income and pension money.
However, the US and Wisconsin also offer some alternative routes to help pay for memory care.
The most important programs to know about are:
You don't need to pay for everything out of pocket, which makes financing much more viable for many families.
Now that you know the cost of memory care, it's time to make informed decisions when looking into care options.
Arbor View is committed to offering compassionate memory care from trained and certified caregivers. Our experts are well-versed in assisting those with cognitive decline, including residents with dementia and Alzheimer's.
Contact us to schedule a tour and learn more about what makes our unique community great.