Care directory
Compare memory care communities for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, then contact the ones you like directly. Free to use.
Check the available care providers near you. Use the filter below to find the providers near you.
5475 Westshire Circle, Waunakee, WI 53597
4327 Nakoma Road, Madison, WI 53711
275 N City Station Dr, Sun Prairie, WI 53590
1125 North Edge Trail, Verona, WI 53593
602 N Segoe Rd, Madison, WI 53705
Guide
Memory care is a type of senior living that offers 24/7 support for people with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other memory-related conditions. It combines personal assistance with structured routines, cognitive therapies and a secure environment to reduce confusion and improve quality of life.
When a loved one is facing memory loss, everyday life can become confusing and overwhelming for them and for you. Many memory care communities are part of larger assisted living campuses, housed in separate, dedicated areas with staff trained specifically in memory loss. This guide explains who memory care is for, what it includes, what it costs and how to choose a community that offers safety, dignity and genuine compassion.
• Has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia
• Shows signs of wandering, confusion or agitation
• Struggles with hygiene or medication routines
• Finds it hard to communicate or remember tasks
• Needs a consistent routine in a safe space
• Secure environments with monitored exits
• Staff trained in dementia care
• Therapeutic programs and sensory activities
• Medication management
• Daily help with personal care
• Family support and education
• 24/7 caregiving and supervision
• Personalized care plans
• Nutritious meals with dietary support
• Medication administration
• Cognitive therapies and enrichment programs
• Music, art and reminiscence activities
• Family communication and counseling
Choosing memory care is a deeply personal decision. Use the directory to:
• Compare communities near you
• View amenities and care details
• Connect with providers and schedule tours
• Ask how staff are trained in memory care
Caring for someone with dementia at home can become exhausting and, at times, unsafe. Memory care is designed to make each day calmer, safer and more meaningful.
Secure entrances, monitored exits and thoughtful layouts reduce the risk of wandering and getting lost. Simple, uncluttered spaces and good lighting help residents move around with less confusion and fewer falls.
Caregivers are trained to communicate with patience, recognize the causes of distress, and respond to changes in behavior with kindness rather than restraint. That expertise makes a real difference to quality of life.
Predictable daily routines reduce anxiety, while activities like music, art, gardening, reminiscence and gentle exercise keep residents engaged and connected to who they are.
Knowing your loved one is safe and well cared for lets you step back from round-the-clock caregiving and spend your time together simply being family. Many communities also run support groups and education for relatives.
Memory care usually costs more than standard assisted living because it needs higher staffing levels, specialist training and secure buildings. As a reference point, the national median cost of assisted living was $74,400 a year in 2025 (about $6,200 a month); memory care is typically priced on top of that, and varies widely by location and the level of support needed.
Pricing is usually all-inclusive or based on care levels that change as the condition progresses. Ask each community for a written breakdown of the monthly rate, any community or move-in fee, what triggers a move to a higher care level, and how often prices have increased.
Source for assisted living figure: CareScout Cost of Care Survey, 2025. Local prices vary.
• Savings, pensions and Social Security income
• Selling or renting out the family home
• Long-term care insurance, if your loved one has a policy
• Medicaid waiver programs in many states, which may help with care costs
• VA Aid & Attendance benefits for eligible veterans and surviving spouses
Good to know: Medicare does not pay for long-term stays in memory care, though it still covers eligible medical services.
The right setting depends on the stage of dementia, safety needs and other health conditions. Here’s how memory care compares.
Assisted living helps with daily tasks but isn’t usually secured, and staff may not be trained in dementia. Memory care adds a secure environment, specialist staff and structured routines. Some people with early-stage dementia do well in assisted living at first.
Nursing homes provide 24-hour skilled nursing for complex medical needs. Memory care focuses on dementia support in a more home-like setting. Someone with dementia and serious medical conditions may need a nursing home with a dedicated dementia unit.
Home care can keep someone with mild dementia safely at home for longer. As the condition progresses and supervision is needed day and night, memory care is often safer and more affordable than full-time home care.
Adult day programs offer supervised activities during the day while your loved one lives at home. They can be a good first step and give family caregivers a regular break before a move to memory care is needed.
When you tour a memory care community, watch how staff talk to residents and how calm the atmosphere feels. Bring these questions:
• What dementia-specific training do your caregivers have?
• What is the staff-to-resident ratio day and night?
• How do you handle wandering, agitation or sundowning?
• How do you personalize care around a resident’s history and preferences?
• How are medications managed?
• What does a typical day look like?
• How do you keep families updated?
• Is there a nurse on site, and when?
• Can you support residents at end of life, or work with hospice?
• In what situations would a resident need to move out?
Tip: Memory care is licensed at state level. Ask for the most recent state inspection report, and visit at different times of day to see how routines and staffing change.
When is it time to move a loved one to memory care?
Common signs include wandering or getting lost, safety risks at home such as leaving the stove on, missed medication, increasing agitation or confusion, difficulty with personal care, and a family caregiver who is exhausted. A conversation with your loved one’s doctor can also help you judge the right time.
What is the difference between memory care and assisted living?
Both help with daily activities, but memory care is designed specifically for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. It offers a secure environment, staff trained in dementia care, and structured routines and activities that assisted living usually doesn’t provide.
How much does memory care cost?
Memory care typically costs more than assisted living, which had a national median of about $6,200 a month in 2025 according to CareScout. The exact price depends on location and the level of care needed, so ask communities for a full written breakdown.
Does Medicare cover memory care?
Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of living in memory care or long-term personal care, but it does cover eligible medical services such as doctor visits and some therapies. Medicaid waivers, long-term care insurance and VA benefits may help, depending on eligibility.
How can I help my loved one settle into memory care?
Share their life story, routines and preferences with staff, bring familiar photos, furniture and belongings, and keep visits calm and positive. It’s normal for the first few weeks to be unsettled; ask staff how they support new residents during the transition.
How do I find memory care near me?
Use the search and filters at the top of this page to browse memory care communities near you. Shortlist a few, contact them directly about availability and pricing, and arrange visits. If you’re not sure where to start, get in touch.
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Search the directory above, or tell us about your loved one and we’ll help you think it through.
