Drumlin Reserve

Pros

• The staff at Drumlin Reserve is consistently described as friendly, caring, and attentive, providing excellent support to residents and their families.
• Residents appreciate the clean, well-maintained facilities at both Drumlin Reserve and Aster Retirement, creating a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere.
• Family members express gratitude for the wide range of activities and social opportunities available at Drumlin Reserve, which help keep residents engaged and active.
• Residents at Aster Retirement receive personalized care tailored to their needs, including special dietary accommodations that are met with great attention by the culinary staff.
• Many reviewers highlight the positive changes in management at Drumlin Reserve since May 2020, noting improved quality of care and resident happiness.
• The communication from staff during challenging times, such as COVID-19 quarantines, is appreciated by families who feel supported despite being physically distant from their loved ones.

Cons

• There were issues with the telephone not being answered, leading to frustration for family members trying to reach staff about immediate concerns.
• Some residents felt their activities director was not suitable, causing dissatisfaction for those who did not get along with her.
• Aster Retirement lacked sufficient staff on weekends, which affected the quality of care for residents during those times.
• One reviewer mentioned that their previous living facility (Brookdale Madison) had declining quality before moving to Drumlin Reserve.
• The reviewer expressed concerns about loneliness and fear experienced by residents due to COVID-19 lockdowns.

Review

Drumlin Reserve and Aster Retirement are two assisted living facilities that have recently garnered attention for their respective approaches to care, amenities, and management. Based on a collection of reviews from residents and their families, it is clear that both places strive to provide a high quality of life for their residents while continuously working to improve their services.

Drumlin Reserve has been praised for its warm environment and highly attentive staff. Reviewers have highlighted the cleanliness and organization of the facility, making it an appealing option for families considering assisted living. The availability of various activities, such as bingo nights, happy hours, exercise classes, movie nights, and even opportunities for community involvement like fundraising dinners for the Alzheimer’s Association, demonstrates Drumlin Reserve's commitment to keeping residents active and engaged. Additionally, family members have shared positive experiences regarding communication with the staff—especially during difficult times like COVID-19 when family visits were restricted. Staff members went above and beyond by facilitating Zoom calls between residents and their families during the holidays.

The involvement of management at Drumlin Reserve appears to have greatly improved since new leadership took over in May 2020. Residents report feeling safer and more cared for than at previous facilities they had considered or lived in. The staff's dedication to providing excellent service extends beyond just caregivers; kitchen staff, maintenance crews, and cleaning personnel all contribute to what many describe as a culture of kindness and empathy throughout the facility. Such comments reflect a genuine appreciation for exceptional customer service across different departments within Drumlin Reserve.

In contrast, Aster Retirement presents itself as another solid choice in senior living communities but faces some areas that require improvement according to resident feedback. While visitors noted attractive surroundings with well-maintained living spaces featuring beautiful views and friendly staff members who engage positively with residents, concerns about activity coordination surfaced frequently among reviewers. Specifically, one family member pointed out dissatisfaction with the activities director due to her lack of compatibility with certain residents—an issue that could affect overall satisfaction within the community.

Several reviewers also mentioned staffing challenges at Aster Retirement; particularly on weekends when there seemingly was insufficient coverage to meet resident needs adequately. Nevertheless, it’s notable that Aster offers amenities such as transportation services for medical appointments—a feature some families found essential when selecting this facility over others. This aspect emphasized convenience in gaining necessary medical care without burdening family members.

Both Drumlin Reserve and Aster Retirement boast numerous commendable attributes linked closely to dedicated management teams committed toward enhancing resident happiness. Caregivers across both facilities exhibit professionalism alongside compassion—a vital characteristic necessary in ensuring seniors feel comfortable amid significant lifestyle transitions resulting from relocating into assisted living arrangements.

In summary, while each facility shines in certain aspects—Drumlin Reserve stands out primarily through its sense of community along cultivated relationships between staff members through active programming initiatives; conversely Aster Retirement showcases more luxurious accommodations but may need adjustments concerning personnel dynamics among various departments—both seek ultimately aim towards providing supportive environments enriched by emotional connections between caregivers & those entrusted into their care! Families searching options can weigh these testimonials carefully before making informed decisions tailored specifically towards meeting individual requirements suited uniquely per loved one’s circumstances!

This part of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin offers a variety of amenities and services that would be beneficial for seniors looking to relocate to the area. With a range of dining options including 1855 Saloon & Grill, Black Bear Inn, and McDonald's nearby, there are plenty of choices for meals out or takeout. Additionally, there are several pharmacies such as Hometown Pharmacy-Cott and Door Creek Pharmacy within close proximity for convenient access to medications and healthcare needs. For medical care, there are reputable physicians like Cottage Grove Eye Care and UW Health Cottage Grove Clinic in the vicinity. The area also boasts several parks like Ravenwood Park and Door Creek Park for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Places of worship such as Hope Lutheran Church provide spiritual support and community engagement. Transportation options like Crown Lift Trucks are available for getting around town, while cafes like Starbucks offer spaces to socialize with friends over coffee. Overall, this neighborhood in Cottage Grove provides a comfortable and convenient environment for seniors seeking a vibrant community with essential services within reach.

Restaurants

• 1855 Saloon & Grill (0.2 miles)
• Black Bear Inn (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1.1 miles)
• Culver's (2.1 miles)
• Oakstone (2.1 miles)
• Don Maguey Mexican Restaurant (2.3 miles)
• Cottage Cafe (5.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Hometown Pharmacy-Cott (1 miles)
• Door Creek Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Hometown Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Metro Market Pharmacy (4.1 miles)
• Metro Market (4.1 miles)
• Walgreens (5.4 miles)

Physicians

• Cottage Grove Eye Care (1.2 miles)
• UW Health Cottage Grove Clinic (1.8 miles)
• Johnson Health Tech North America (2.2 miles)
• Luskin Allan T Md Dean Health System East Clinic Madison (5.7 miles)
• TLC Laser Eye Centers (6.2 miles)
• Dean Clinic (6.4 miles)
• Accuear Professional Hearing & Audiology Clinics (6.7 miles)

Parks

• Ravenwood Park (2 miles)
• Door Creek Park (3.2 miles)
• Paradise Park (3.9 miles)
• Secret Places Park (5 miles)
• Owl's Creek Park (5.6 miles)
• Kingston Onyx Park (5.6 miles)
• Olbrich Park (6.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Hope Lutheran Church (3 miles)
• McFarland United Church of Christ (6 miles)
• Eastside Evangelical Lutheran (6.9 miles)
• Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church (7.7 miles)

Transportation

• Crown Lift Trucks (5.2 miles)
• U-Haul (7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Mcfarland House Ca (6.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.8 miles)

Theaters

• Flix Brewhouse (6.4 miles)