Worst Nursing Homes in Wisconsin
When it comes to finding a nursing home for your loved ones, the thought of choosing the wrong one can keep you up at night. Sadly, not all nursing homes in Wisconsin offer the kind of care you’d expect. Some facilities have gained a reputation for all the wrong reasons.
With subpar health services, overworked staff members, and numerous reports of poor conditions, these places can make even the most trusting families nervous. Government survey inspections and resident feedback have identified the worst nursing homes in Wisconsin, exposing issues that can’t be ignored.
The stakes are high, from Medicaid and Medicare concerns to serious health violations. Knowing which Wisconsin nursing home facilities to avoid could make all the difference for your family.
How a Nursing Home or Rehabilitation Center is Rated
When determining whether a nursing home or rehabilitation center is up to par, it all boils down to a few key factors. These ratings aren’t just slapped together—they come from government inspections, feedback from the residents who live there, and a few other essential things.
Everything from the quality of care to how well the staff treat the residents is examined closely. This way, families can better understand what to expect before deciding about their loved one’s care.
Government Health Services Inspections
One of the most important entities that rates nursing homes is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This organization is the watchdog for ensuring nursing homes across Wisconsin are doing what they should, including places like West Allis and other areas.
CMS sends inspectors to inspect nursing homes, which can be pretty thorough. They check everything, from the cleanliness of the facility to how well the staff members are taking care of the residents.
If something’s not right, CMS will note it in its report. For example, maybe the place isn’t clean enough, or the patients aren’t getting the care they need. Nursing homes with many problems get lower ratings, a big red flag for anyone considering a specific facility for a loved one.
Resident Surveys
But it’s not just about what the inspectors see. Residents who live in nursing homes also have a say. Resident satisfaction surveys play a massive role in these ratings.
These surveys ask people how they feel about the care they’re getting. Do they feel safe? Are they happy with the food? Are the nurses and other staff members treating them with respect?
The feedback from these surveys is crucial because it gives an honest overview of the day-to-day life inside the home. If the residents aren’t happy, that’s a sure sign that something’s wrong, and it will lower the facility’s rating.
Other Factors
Other factors are also considered in addition to the inspections and surveys. For instance, health inspection reports and citations for violations can seriously affect a nursing home’s rating.
If a facility has received many citations, you cannot ignore them. These reports are a big deal because they highlight issues that could directly impact the health and well-being of all people.
So, when looking at which home to take your loved one to, remember these ratings. They’re not just numbers – they’re a glimpse into what’s happening inside facilities and can help you make the best choice for your family.
List of the Worst Wisconsin Nursing Homes
According to a report on Nursing Home Abuse Advocate [1], several elderly homes in Wisconsin have earned some of the lowest ratings due to serious concerns about the quality of care. Here are some of the worst facilities:
- Pine View Care Center
- Sheridan Health and Rehabilitation Center
- Minocqua Health and Rehab
- Madison Health and Rehabilitation Center
- Burlington Health and Rehabilitation Center
- Alden Meadow Park
- Crossroads Care Center
- Ellsworth Health Services
- Lancaster Health Services
These examples show the importance of thoroughly researching each elderly home before making decisions. The consequences of choosing the wrong place can be severe for your loved ones. According to these reports, these facilities have faced ongoing issues that have landed them among the worst in the state.
Government Ratings
Regarding government ratings, some homes in Wisconsin stand out for the wrong reasons. These facilities have some of the lowest overall ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [2], primarily because of their many serious issues. Here are some of those facilities:
- Meadowbrook at Black River Falls: This place struggles with staffing issues and has a history of multiple health citations.
- Crossroads Care Center of Milwaukee: It’s known for its low staffing levels and frequent health violations. This home has also faced several penalties.
- Nu Roc Health and Rehabilitation Ctr: Residents often suffer from inadequate care due to many health citations and staffing challenges.
- Sheridan Health and Rehabilitation Center: This facility has been hit with many federal fines and payment denials due to serious health violations and poor infection control.
- Grace Healthcare of Oregon: needs to improve with below-average staffing and many health citations.
- Dove Healthcare – Fennimore: Residents here face understaffing and other issues.
- Beloit Health and Rehabilitation Center: This facility has a poor record with CMS due to repeated citations and penalties.
- Ashland Health Services: It’s known for having a “Much Below Average” staffing rating and struggles to maintain basic health standards.
- Mulder Health Care Facility: This home has faced several penalties for safety violations and other concerns.
- Chi Franciscan Villa: Frequent inspections have revealed ongoing issues with staffing and quality of care, which led to a low CMS rating.
Health Inspection Citations
These Wisconsin facilities have racked up a large number of health violations and citations [3], which is worrying and signals serious concerns:
- Dove Healthcare – St Croix Falls – 26 citations, including failures in care plans and inadequate background checks.
- St Anne’s Salvatorian Campus – 30 citations, with issues like poor infection control and improper supervision.
- Wheaton Franciscan Hc – Terrace at St Francis – 23 citations, including medication errors and lack of adequate staffing.
- St Elizabeth Nursing Home – 20 citations, mainly for neglecting residents’ basic needs and insufficient safety measures.
- St Dominic Villa – 19 citations, including failures to report injuries and inadequate care planning for residents.
- Waters Edge Health and Rehabilitation Center – 30 citations, with issues like poor infection control and neglect in medication management.
- Burlington Health and Rehabilitation Center – 31 citations noted for repeated medication errors and insufficient staff training.
- Aria of Brookfield – 36 citations, with significant problems in care plans and inadequate safety measures.
- CCC of Pewaukee – 21 citations, including failure to maintain proper hygiene practices and severe medication errors.
- Fort Atkinson Care Center – 41 citations, with severe issues like inadequate supervision leading to abuse and repeated failures in administering necessary medications.
Factors Contributing to Nursing Home Abuse
Abuse isn’t something anyone likes to think about, but it’s a reality that some families have to face. Several factors can lead to poor care in these facilities, and understanding them can help you avoid placing your loved ones in harm’s way.
Understaffing
One of the biggest culprits behind nursing home abuse is understaffing. When a facility doesn’t have enough nurses, it’s nearly impossible for the patients to get the care they deserve.
Imagine a nurse who has to look after too many people at once. It’s a recipe for neglect, and it often leads to severe problems like missed medications or untreated health issues.
Nursing homes should aim to have a solid staffing level, like Eden Rehab Suites and Green House Homes, which have a perfect 5-star rating from CMS. These ratings aren’t just for show—they reflect a commitment to providing quality care by ensuring enough hands on deck.
Inadequate Training
Even when there are enough nurses, if they’re not adequately trained, things can still go downhill fast. Inadequate training means that the people caring for your loved ones might not know how to handle certain situations, whether dealing with a medical emergency or providing proper day-to-day care.
This lack of knowledge can lead to mistakes that could harm residents. For example, a nurse might not recognize the signs of a severe health problem or know how to help someone with mobility issues. Proper training is crucial to ensuring every patient gets the best care possible.
Financial Pressures
Running a nursing home isn’t cheap, and financial pressures can often lead to cuts that impact the quality of care. When a facility struggles to make ends meet, it might cut corners by reducing staff, skipping essential services, or using cheaper, lower-quality supplies. Unfortunately, these decisions can have a direct impact on the health and well-being of the residents.
In some cases, facilities might rely heavily on Medicaid, which doesn’t always pay enough to cover the costs of high-quality care. This can strain the nursing home’s resources, decreasing care standards.
Corporate Ownership
Corporate-owned homes can also be problematic. Patient care can take a back seat when profit becomes the main focus. These facilities might prioritize cost-cutting measures to boost profits, often at the expense of the residents’ well-being.
In these cases, the bottom line can overshadow the quality of care, which can lead to neglect or other forms of abuse. It’s important to consider who owns and operates an elderly home before deciding.
Call a Wisconsin Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Now!
If you suspect that a loved one has been mistreated in an elderly home or rehabilitation facility in Wisconsin, don’t wait to take action. The Nursing Home Law Center is here to help. We’ve supported families like yours, fighting for justice and securing compensation when health services have failed to protect those most need it.
With our network of experienced attorneys, we can handle everything. Call (800) 926-7565 for a free consultation. We’re ready to stand by your side and ensure your family gets the support it deserves.