Get Pricing & Availability for Assisted Living in Appleton, WI
Call (855) 481-6777 for immediate assistance and get more details
Page Reviewed / Updated – November 11, 2020
The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Appleton, WI

The City of Appleton grew alongside Lawrence University and now the city is known as a college town, but that doesn’t mean it is not attractive to seniors as well. The walkable downtown is full of restaurants, boutiques and great shops along with fine arts and live music. At the same time, the town is steeped in history and attractions such as the History Museum at the Castle and the Hearthstone Historic House Museum.
Seniors enjoy discounts on tickets for the Valley Transit bus system and have access to help via the Adult Health Program conducted by the Appleton Health Department. The Appleton Park System offers endless recreation possibilities with 609 acres of land, and the seasonal climate of the city adds to the scenic beauty during the spring and fall months. The cost of living in Appleton is also lower than the U.S. average, which allows seniors to stretch their budget a bit farther and enjoy more recreational activities.
Look through our top 10 list of assisted living facilities in Appleton, WI. Additionally, find out more about the cost of assisted living in Appleton and what financial assistance programs are available.
The Cost of Senior Living and Care in Appleton
According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care survey, senior care in Appleton is quite affordable when compared with average prices across the state. Although nursing home care in Appleton costs slightly more than the average Wisconsin city, all other levels of care are within $65 of the state average.
How much does Assisted Living Cost in Appleton?
In Appleton, assisted living costs an average of $4,312 per month. When compared with other major cities throughout Wisconsin, this cost is about mid-range. The cost of assisted living in Oshkosh is the highest in the state at $5,000 per month, while the La Crosse area is lowest in the state at $2,638 per month. When compared with Madison, the state’s capital, Appleton’s average assisted living cost is $51 less per month than the city average of $4,363.
How much does Home Care Cost in Appleton?
Seniors in Appleton who receive care in their own homes pay an average of $4,481 a month for 44 hours of care per week. While this cost is similar in several major cities throughout Wisconsin, there are some cities in the state where home care costs are less expensive. For example, in Madison, the average cost of home care is only $4,004 per month, and in Sheboygan, it’s only $3,766. In the Milwaukee area, home care is priced higher at an average of $4,767 per month.
How much does Adult Day Care Cost in Appleton?
Adult day care costs an average of $1,343 per month in Appleton, which makes the city the least expensive in the state. The highest adult day care costs in Wisconsin are in Green Bay, where the average monthly price is $2,427 per month. Madison is also priced considerably higher than Appleton at $1,842 per month.
How much does Nursing Home Costs in Appleton?
The cost of nursing home care in Appleton is mid-range when compared with other cities in Wisconsin. At an average of $8,425 per month, Appleton’s nursing home costs are about $1,000 per month less than in Milwaukee, where the cost of nursing home care is the highest in the state at $9,555 per month. In the La Crosse area, nursing home care is the least expensive in the state at $7,498 per month.
Financial Assistance Programs in Appleton
Medicaid Program in Appleton
Low-income individuals and families across the United States rely on Medicaid to help them access safe health care services and prescription medications. In Wisconsin, the state Medicaid plan is frequently accessed by senior citizens. The program, along with several Medicaid waivers, covers many costs associated with senior living including home care, nursing home care and assisted living.
To qualify for Wisconsin’s state Medicaid plan, seniors must be 65 years of age or older and have a functional need for personal care, supervision or skilled nursing care. Applicants must also meet the following financial requirements:
- Income must not exceed $2,313 per month
- Total of all countable assets must not exceed $2,000
Although income is counted from all sources, there are some assets that aren’t considered such as the applicant’s home, household furnishings, burial plots and vehicle. Seniors who are over Medicaid income limits may still qualify for coverage if they have exceptionally high medical expenses under the state’s Medicaid spend-down program. Seniors can apply for benefits online or by calling (888) 256-4563.
Medicaid Waivers in Appleton
Medicaid Family Care
The Medicaid Family Care program helps frail, elderly persons receive necessary care services in their homes. The benefits of this program include personal care, home modifications, personal emergency response systems and non-medical transportation. This program allows for self-directed care, which means that participants are permitted to hire and train their own caregivers and choose the services that they need most.
To qualify for Family Care as a senior citizen, applicants must be 65 years of age or older and have a condition that requires long-term care for at least 90 days. Applicants must also be fully eligible for Medicaid coverage.
To learn more or to start the application process, seniors can contact (608) 267-7268.
Click here to learn more.
IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct)
IRIS is a self-directed Medicaid program that also helps frail elderly individuals to access care in their own home and community. The program provides financial management services to its participants and helps them to determine a budget based on their needs and goals. A case manager will then work with each participant to determine the goods and care services that they need most. All participants of IRIS must direct their own care, which means they are required to recruit, hire, train, schedule and supervise their own caregivers and provide their own respite care in the case that their hired caregiver requires a break.
To qualify, applicants must be disabled or aged 65 and older and live in their own home, a family home or a residential care home in Wisconsin. They must also require a nursing level of care and be fully eligible for Medicaid.
To apply, seniors can contact the Outagamie County Government Center at (866) 739-2372.
Click here to learn more.
Other Financial Assistance Programs in Appleton
Wisconsin State Supplemental Security Income
Seniors who qualify for the federal SSI benefit may be eligible for additional financial aid from the state of Wisconsin. Administered by the Department of Health Services, the state SSI payment is available to seniors aged 65 and older or other Wisconsin residents who are blind or disabled.
To qualify, applicants must have a monthly income of no more than $771 and less than $2,000 in countable assets. Married couples must have a monthly income of no more than $1,157 and $3,000 in countable assets. Just as with the state Medicaid plan, some assets are not considered, such as the applicant’s home, vehicle and personal belongings.
To apply for SSI, seniors can contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.
Click here for more information.
More Senior Living Resources in Appleton
Resource |
Phone Number |
Description |
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program |
(920) 739-6811 |
The Section 8 program helps low-income families and individuals, including senior citizens, access safe and affordable housing. The program works with landlords to drastically subsidize the cost of rent. |
Fox Cities Salvation Army |
(920) 734-3324 | The Salvation Army provides assistance to seniors and low-income families in several ways. In addition to providing emergency rental and bill payment assistance, the organization provides necessities such as food and clothing to those in need. |
Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program |
(866) 432-8947 |
WHEAP helps low-income Wisconsin residents to pay for utility costs, including heating and electric bills, in times of dire need. The program also helps eligible homeowners to repair or replace their furnace if it stops working during the winter months. |
Housing Partnership of the Fox Cities |
(920) 731-7087 | The Housing Partnership serves residents of Appleton and Neenah by providing subsidies on safe housing on a transitional basis. The program also provides case managers who facilitate necessary resources and training to improve the quality of life for individuals and families they work with. |
Society of St. Vincent de Paul |
(920) 257-5709 | The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides a variety of programs and services, including free beds to those who are in dire need, as well as one-time emergency rental assistance. |
For additional information and planning, please read our comprehensive guide to paying for senior care in Wisconsin.