The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Dane County, WI for 2024

Dane County has nearly 540,000 residents and a senior population that makes up over 13 percent of the population. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 9 percent of county seniors who receive Medicare benefits are living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. To accommodate those with dementia, Dane County has over two dozen memory care facilities. 

Dane County, which is home to the state capital city of Madison, has taken strides toward becoming a dementia-friendly community by working to raise awareness about people with dementia and their unique needs. Numerous organizations in the county, including churches, libraries and city services and have formed coalitions to address the needs of local seniors with dementia.

• In Dane County, seniors pay state income tax on income from private pensions and withdrawals from retirement savings accounts. Income from Social Security and public pensions are not subject to state tax. The source of a senior’s income may affect how much money they can put toward memory care expenses.  
• Dane County's air quality is good, with the county receiving a B for both ozone pollution and short-term particle pollution from the American Lung Association. This may make memory care in this county well-suited for seniors with respiratory illnesses or cardiovascular disease. 
• Dane County is a relatively expensive place to live, with an overall cost of living that comes in a little more than 10 percent above state and national averages. This may drive up the cost of memory care here. Healthcare is relatively affordable here, however, which may offset other living expenses. 
• On a 100-point scale, with a high score indicating more crime, Dane County's violent crime rate is 34.2 and the property crime rate is 37.6. This is compared to the national averages of 31.1 and 38.1. To keep residents secure, memory care facilities install alarm systems and security cameras. 

Memory Care costs in Dane County start around $5,770 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Dane County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in Wisconsin page.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Wisconsin page.

Dane County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Wisconsin are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Wisconsin page for more information about these laws.