Augusta Area Home

Pros

• The family can't say enough about Augusta Health.
• Augusta Health is viewed positively by the family.
• The staff was incredible.

Cons

• They were unwilling to make improvements to the benefit of the residence.

Review

When a family navigates the difficult hours of end-of-life care, the character of the place and the people who carry that care can leave an enduring impression. In a stay at Augusta Health, a mother receiving hospice care became the catalyst for a deeply felt picture of what compassionate nursing and attentive support can look like. The family recalls that time with a sense of gratitude that is difficult to put into mere words: their mom's comfort, dignity, and the steady presence of the care team stood out in their experience. They emphasize that Augusta Health felt consistently positive to them, anchored by the strength and kindness of the staff who tended to their loved one.

The staff's approach to hospice care is described as extraordinary in its warmth and competence. They listened carefully, explained choices clearly, and partnered with the family in the moment-to-moment decisions that arise when someone is nearing the end of life. Pain relief and comfort were prioritized, but so was the human connection - the soft courtesy in conversations, the patience during difficult moments, and the readiness to adapt to changing needs as the situation evolved. It wasn't just about medical care; it was about preserving a sense of peace and dignity for the patient while supporting the family through an emotionally trying time.

Beyond the clinical tasks, the family felt a substantial emotional and logistical support network from the hospice staff. The team's responsiveness and accessibility helped the family feel less isolated in their experience, with consistent communication that made the care feel collaborative rather than transactional. The caregivers' presence, empathy, and professionalism created an environment in which hope and comfort could coexist with the hard realities of hospice. In moments that would be especially painful, the staff's steadiness provided a kind of solace that the family remembers with lasting appreciation.

In the same breath that the family shares their gratitude for the hospice experience, there is an acknowledgement of a different voice about care at the facility - one note that expresses concern about improvements. The sentiment centers on a perception that changes intended to benefit residents were not being pursued or implemented as readily as they might have been. This viewpoint offers a counterpoint to the overwhelmingly positive feelings about the staff and the care their loved one received, highlighting a tension that can exist in complex health systems: exceptional bedside care and compassionate personnel can stand alongside calls for broader improvements to facilities, policies, or programs that affect all residents.

This juxtaposition invites reflection on the realities of operating a health facility. It suggests that while the day-to-day care delivered by compassionate staff can be outstanding, there are ongoing pressures - whether financial, administrative, or regulatory - that shape which improvements get pursued and how quickly. It is a reminder that excellence in direct patient care does not automatically translate into rapid or universal enhancements across every aspect of a residence. The family's experience thus captures both the strength of the human element in care and the demands of sustaining a living environment that continually evolves to meet residents' needs.

Yet, despite any concerns about improvements, the core message remains one of heartfelt appreciation. The mother's time at Augusta Health, under hospice care, left a clear impression of exceptional staff who approached care with grace, clarity, and empathy. The family's words convey a deep sense of gratitude for the kindness and professionalism shown during a profoundly challenging period. That gratitude is inseparable from the recognition that care, at its best, is a human-centered endeavor - one that touches not only physical comfort but also emotional well-being for patients and their loved ones.

In the end, Augusta Health emerges in this narrative as a place where compassionate, patient-focused care can shine brightly, especially in the hospice setting. The experiences described highlight a powerful commitment to supporting families at their most vulnerable moments and honoring the dignity of the person being cared for. At the same time, they point to the ongoing need for continuous improvement across the entire residence, so that every resident can benefit from both the outstanding personal care and the enhancements that strengthen the broader environment in which that care takes place.

Cafes

• The Hot Spot Cafe (0.1 miles)
• Augusta Bakery (0.2 miles)
• Northfield Cafe (15.2 miles)
• Northfield Mercantile (15.2 miles)
• The Nostalgic Bean (17.9 miles)

Parks

• Coon Fork Lake County Park (0.2 miles)
• Harstad County Park (4.9 miles)
• Lake Eau Claire Park (5.5 miles)
• Area Historical Tribute (8.1 miles)
• Central Park (8.6 miles)
• Stoddard Park (8.8 miles)
• Tollefson Marsh State Wildlife (12.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Mulligans (0.2 miles)
• Chicken Chaser's Bar (0.2 miles)
• Tep's Drive In (0.4 miles)
• Hide Away Tavern (5.9 miles)
• Trails End Restaurant & Saloon & Campground (6.8 miles)
• Hardee's (8 miles)
• Osseo Family Restaurant (8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Wally Shong Drug Store (0.2 miles)
• Mayo Clinic Health System - Pharmacy & Home Medical (8.3 miles)
• Fall Creek Pharmacy (9.8 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (17 miles)

Places of Worship

• Augusta United Methodist Church (0.2 miles)
• Augusta Ag Youth Group/ Wendy Hoekstra (0.8 miles)
• Augusta A/G Kids Quest (0.8 miles)
• Assembly of God (1 miles)
• Church (1 miles)
• Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church (9 miles)
• Morning Star Lutheran Church (9.2 miles)

Physicians

• UW Health Augusta Family Medicine Clinic (0.3 miles)
• Buffalo River Clinic (8.1 miles)
• Marshfield Clinic (8.3 miles)
• Luther Midelfort Oakridge (8.4 miles)
• Sterling Optical - Eau Claire (16.9 miles)
• OakLeaf Clinics - Eau Claire Medical Clinic (17.5 miles)
• Marshfield Clinic Eau Claire Oakwood Center (17.5 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (8 miles)

Hospitals

• Oakleaf Surgical Hospital (17.5 miles)

Theaters

• Micon Cinemas Eau Claire (18.4 miles)