Talk to a local advisor for free
Beaver Dam is a small town of 16,400 located roughly halfway between Madison and Fond du Lac in south-central Wisconsin. Seniors represent nearly 18% of the population in this age-friendly community, which is slightly higher than the national average. Retirees in the area benefit from below-average crime rates and a reasonable cost of living that’s almost 20% lower than other parts of the county.
Seniors with chronic medical conditions that require ongoing care have access to more than 30 medical centers in the region. Beaver Dam also has a significant number of long-term care facilities that cater to individuals who require day-to-day assistance. With a median cost of $4,686, assisted living in one of Beaver Dam’s six licensed facilities is more expensive than other parts of the state and nation. However, there are 50 more assisted living facilities located in the surrounding area, which provides a wider range of options.
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 >
Despite the area’s overall affordability, Beaver Dam is a relatively expensive location for assisted living. According to Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, the median rate is $4,686, which is $286 more than Wisconsin’s average and $386 higher than the rest of the U.S. Assisted living in Beaver Dam is also expensive for the region. Seniors in Illinois pay slightly less at $4,575, and average rates drop by almost $400 per month in Michigan and Minnesota. The expected monthly savings surpasses $600 in Iowa, where assisted living costs $4,073 on average.
Beaver Dam is one of the cheaper major cities in Wisconsin for assisted living care. Appleton is the most expensive option with an average of cost of $5,500 per month, followed Milwaukee at $5,073. Seniors in Oshkosh, Sheboygan and Madison pay approximately $260 more per month. In Green Bay, assisted living costs almost 20% less.
Note: Data for Beaver Dam was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Fond du Lac, was used instead.
Paying for assisted living can be a challenge for many seniors in Beaver Dam. Fortunately, Wisconsin provides payment assistance to adults who meet medical and financial requirements. The state’s Family Care waiver is available to Medicaid-eligible seniors who choose to live in an assisted living facility or another residential facility as an alternative to nursing home care. It pays for personal care, case management services and other necessary supports.
For more details regarding this waiver, including eligibility requirements, read our Assisted Living in Wisconsin page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Beaver Dam Watermark Community & Senior Center | (920) 887-4639 | The Watermark Community & Senior Center offers a wide variety of recreational programs for seniors aged 50 and older. Free membership allows residents to participate in crafts, genealogy workshops, fitness classes and clubs for pickleball and bowling. It also hosts educational seminars and special events. Seniors aged 60 and older may qualify for low-cost meals and discounted public transportation. |
| Dodge County Veterans Service Officer | (920) 386-3798 | Veterans and military spouses who live in Beaver Dam and require long-term care can contact their local Veterans Service Officer for information and assistance. Officers can help qualifying veterans access state and federal benefits that can help with medical expenses, long-term care and other needs. Officers can prepare applications and appeals and refer residents to other veterans organizations. |
| Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dodge County | (920) 386-3580 | The ADRC of Dodge County is the agency to call for details about local programs that are funded by the Older Americans Act. Staff members can provide information about long-term care, financial assistance, nutrition programs and caregiver resources. ADRC’s quarterly newsletter features recipes, healthy aging tips and informational articles. |
| Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc. | (608) 243-5670 | GWaar works with the state’s county-level ADRCs to administer age-related programs and services statewide. It offers information about transportation, nutrition, healthy aging techniques and volunteer opportunities. Benefits specialists can help residents apply for Medicaid waivers that may pay for home- and community-based services provided in an assisted living facility. |
| Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long-Term Care | (800) 815-0015 | The Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long-Term Care provides information about Medigap supplements and insurance coverage, and it serves as the state’s long-term care ombudsman. These volunteer advocates advise seniors on their rights and work to ensure that the state’s assisted living facilities deliver the required level of care. |
| Legal Action of Wisconsin, Madison Area Office | (855) 947-2529 | Legal Action of Wisconsin helps seniors and low-income residents deal with civil legal issues and plan for the future. In addition to focusing on health care, government benefits and housing, its SeniorLAW project provides free legal advice to Beaver Dam residents aged 60 and older. It assists with Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, elder abuse, scams and estate planning. |
Assisted living facilities in Beaver Dam, also known as community-based residential facilities, must follow regulations enforced by the Wisconsin Department of Health. This agency is responsible for licensing and inspecting senior living facilities. Additional information about these requirements is available in our guide to Assisted Living in Wisconsin.
