Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Ready to Move to Assisted Living in Milwaukee

Moving into assisted living is a big step for most seniors, as well as for the families they love, who may have been taking care of them in their own home for some time. The adjustment is easier if you start planning well in advance. This most often starts with a visit to the doctor for a checkup. At the visit, the doctor performs the usual physical, but they may perform some specialized neurological checks to make sure assisted living is the right level of care for the senior.

With a green light from the doctor, most seniors and family members start looking for a community several months before their target move date. It takes time to find the ideal place, and it's a good idea to invest a day or two in personally visiting the final few locations to talk with staff and other residents. During this time, many people start moving their property into storage, at least temporarily. Most communities near you in Milwaukee have all the necessities for furniture and other items from your home, and putting family photos, old books and your favorite chair in storage for a month or so makes for an easier move. Bulky things can be moved in later, when you know you're happy with your choice of community and that you have the space for them in your room.

Finally, most seniors and their families have to (at least somewhat) adjust their finances. Living alone or with family and a caregiver are not necessarily cheaper than assisted living, but they're almost never the exact same price. For a senior on a fixed income, it might take several weeks to withdraw funds from a retirement account or adjust the way a pension is paid to cover the new costs of living.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Milwaukee?

The average monthly cost of assisted living in Milwaukee is $3,934 according to the Genworth Cost of Care survey 2017.

Assisted living in Milwaukee has costs associated with it that are in keeping with national averages. Across all facilities, the average price of a month in assisted living here is $3,934, which is only slightly higher than the national median of $3,750 a month. For that price, standard services include staff assistance with ADLs, meal service and whatever community events the facility has to offer. Prices rise a bit for premium services and resort-style communities, though more basic care can usually be found in town for below-average cost.

Our local Seniorly Partner Agents often have the ability to negotiate monthly rent and fees on your behalf at many of the communities you might be interested in.  This is a free service to you.  To connect to a Seniorly Partner Agent email us now at ask@seniorly.com or call (855) 866-4515.

What’s the Difference Between Assisted Living vs. Other Senior Care Types?

The difference between assisted living and other forms of long-term care is that assisted living is placed on the continuun of care between independent living and skilled nursing facilities, sometimes called nursing homes.

Aging citizens in Milwaukee have several options for finding the best level of care for their physical and mental conditions. There's often some overlap in levels of care, depending on how specific properties are structured, but in general, your options are grouped into five discrete categories:

• Independent living: These communities house seniors who don't require medication monitoring or help with ADLs.
• Assisted living: This is the most basic level of residential care, and it's preferred by seniors who can still function the way they used to, but who need some help with ADLs.
• Skilled nursing: Skilled nursing homes have nurses on staff to monitor medication for their residents, as well as nurses' aides to help with cleaning and transporting residents. This level is appropriate for many disabled adults.
• Post-acute care: This is usually a temporary option for people recovering from surgery or a fall, and after getting the physical therapy they need, most residents of post-acute care return to their old communities.
• Memory care: Memory care provides very close supervision and engagement between staff and residents, most of whom have moderate or advanced Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
• Hospice: Hospice facilities provide comfort care for people with end-stage illnesses, who generally need pain management and close medical supervision.