Active Living Options

Pros

• The Milestone Cross Plains community is beautiful and picturesque, with great staff, good food, and engaging activities.
• The facility is described as beautiful with great staff and excellent leadership.
• Since Tess became director, Milestone Cross Plains has shown many positive changes, and residents seem happier.
• The accommodations, friendly staff, activity opportunities, and outdoor spaces make Milestone Cross Plains an appealing place for residents and their families.
• The activity director's leadership has kept residents involved, and the Montessori program rollout is a notable positive addition.
• The reviews note that the facility is clean and professional, with residents appearing happy.

Cons

• They had to move their father due to low staffing levels.
• There were ongoing issues with Milestone continuing to process payments long after he left the facility.
• The memory care staff were oblivious to the resident's declining health and were negligent at times.
• The memory care unit went into lockdown in January 2022 due to a Covid outbreak, and the lockdown lasted about a month.
• Security footage showed staff assisting the resident without PPE while she was Covid-positive.
• Protocols to protect residents were ignored, contributing to the spread of Covid in the unit.
• The director did not listen to complaints, and a regional nurse visit occurred only after repeated concerns, with the nurse spending little time assessing.
• The resident's health declined rapidly during lockdown and she passed away a couple of weeks later.
• Some memory care staff were not licensed CNAs.
• The prorated refund check was delayed for two months, and the accompanying accounting details required an additional two months to obtain.

Review

Milestone Senior Living in Cross Plains is described by many as a bright, welcoming place that combines a beautiful setting with a lively, resident-focused community. Several reviews emphasize the facility's picturesque location - nestled in the hills with outdoor areas for residents and their families to enjoy - and praise the well-kept grounds and leisure spaces. The overall impression centers on a facility that feels inviting and purpose-built for comfort, social activity, and family involvement, with residents often highlighting the quality of the living spaces and the opportunity to participate in a range of planned activities.

A common thread among the positive comments is the strength of the staff and leadership. Reviewers repeatedly note friendly, attentive staff, good food, and engaging activity programs that give residents meaningful opportunities to participate and socialize. There is particular emphasis on the leadership changes under Tess, who is highlighted as director. Several accounts credit Tess with driving noticeable improvements across the campus, contributing to a happier resident population, more dynamic programming, and a stronger sense of community. One reviewer even points to a new Montessori program as a notable, positive development that has been well received by families and residents alike. In these accounts, the staff's responsiveness, the cleanliness and professionalism of interactions, and the overall atmosphere of care are cited as reasons to feel confident about placing a loved one at Milestone Cross Plains.

The sentiment of "great place to live" surfaces in multiple testimonials, where families express confidence in the admissions process and the way their loved ones are treated once they are residents. People describe being impressed by the accommodations, the friendliness of the staff, the breadth of activity opportunities, and the quality of the leisure rooms. The reviews convey a sense of trust in the staff and leadership, with several families noting that they would strongly recommend Milestone to others. The combination of a beautiful setting, solid programming, and a positive staff culture appears to be the core of the favorable impressions that many families carry forward from their tours and day-to-day experiences.

But the picture is not uniformly rosy. One reviewer explicitly rescinded a previously positive rating after recounting a troubling experience with staffing levels and ongoing attempts to process payments after their loved one had left the facility. This account highlights concerns about consistency and reliability in staffing and financial practices, serving as a contrasting data point to the otherwise favorable feedback. It underscores that experiences can vary significantly and that administrative and operational issues can influence perceptions of care quality, even in an otherwise well-regarded environment.

The most detailed and troubling account comes from a reviewer describing a memory care experience during the COVID-19 era. This narrative paints a stark contrast to the generally upbeat reviews: the reviewer alleges a period of lockdown during which PPE protocols were not followed, and where staff repeatedly failed to protect a vulnerable loved one with dementia. The account details a prolonged lockdown after a COVID outbreak, a rapid health decline observed via security footage, and a perception of inadequate reporting or responsiveness from leadership. The reviewer describes staff who were not consistently licensed CNAs, a lack of PPE, and moments of perceived negligence in assisting with daily needs, including a stressful episode where care plans were not adhered to and the resident's condition deteriorated. The death of the grandmother a short time later is paired with criticisms about communication, responsiveness, and the adequacy of care. Additionally, the review notes a significant delay - months - in issuing a prorated refund check and providing a transparent accounting breakdown, which further colors the overall impression as one of concern about accountability and follow-through in finance.

Taken together, the collection of reviews presents a nuanced portrait of Milestone Cross Plains. On one hand, the facility is celebrated for its beauty, welcoming atmosphere, robust programming, strong leadership under Tess, and positive resident experiences that translate into high satisfaction and enthusiastic recommendations. On the other hand, there are serious cautions raised about staffing adequacy, infection control and care quality in the memory care setting during a challenging period, and the handling of billing and refunds. The divergence in experiences suggests that while many families and residents feel well cared for and inspired by the leadership and amenities, there are critical areas - especially around staffing stability, PPE and infection control practices, and transparent financial processes - that warrant careful, up-to-date verification before making decisions.

For families considering Milestone Cross Plains, the stories imply a thoughtful approach: visit the community, speak with multiple staff members across shifts, and request current information about staffing ratios and qualifications, especially in memory care. It's also prudent to review the most recent state inspection reports and to ask about infection control protocols, incident reporting, and how concerns are addressed when they arise. While the favorable experiences highlight a warm, engaging environment with active leadership and happy residents, the more critical accounts remind prospective families to look beyond the surface and ensure that current practices align with their expectations for safety, dignity, and transparent communication.

Cross Plains, Wisconsin offers a serene and welcoming environment for senior living, with a variety of amenities and conveniences within close proximity. The area boasts several parks such as Baer Park and Indian Lake County Park, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. There are also nearby healthcare options including UW Health Cross Plains Clinic and Meriter Middleton clinic, ensuring easy access to medical services. Residents can enjoy dining at local restaurants like Culver's and Montag’s Pub and Grill, as well as grabbing a coffee at cafes like Up Hill Grind and Starbucks. Transportation is readily available through Middleton Municipal - Morey Field, making it convenient to travel around the area. Places of worship such as Our Savior Lutheran Church offer spiritual support, while entertainment options like Point Cinema provide cultural enrichment. Overall, Cross Plains presents a peaceful and vibrant community for seniors to thrive in.

Parks

• Baer Park (2.5 miles)
• Indian Lake County Park (3.3 miles)
• Firemans Park (5.8 miles)
• Lakeview Park (6.9 miles)
• Haen Family Park (7.1 miles)
• Harvey John & Lucille Taylor Memorial Park (7.1 miles)
• Mendota Park (7.2 miles)

Physicians

• UW Health Cross Plains Clinic (2.6 miles)
• Wisconsin Fertility Institute (4.9 miles)
• Parfitt Facial Cosmetic Surgery Center (5.5 miles)
• Meriter Deming Way (5.5 miles)
• Dean Clinic (5.5 miles)
• John Rose MD (5.5 miles)
• Madison Vein & Laser Institute Sc (5.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (6.2 miles)
• SSM Health Prescription Center (6.4 miles)
• Walgreens (6.5 miles)
• UW Health West Clinic Pharmacy (6.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (6.7 miles)
• Bergmann's Pharmacy (6.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Culver's (2.7 miles)
• R Bar (2.8 miles)
• Montag’s Pub and Grill (2.8 miles)
• Stacy's Kitchen (3.3 miles)
• Missouri Tavern (4.1 miles)
• Springfield Inn (4.1 miles)
• Arby's (5.3 miles)

Cafes

• Up Hill Grind (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.4 miles)
• Starbucks (7.9 miles)
• Moka (8.3 miles)

Transportation

• Middleton Municipal - Morey Field (4.4 miles)

Hospitals

• meriter Middleton clinic (5.7 miles)
• Cell Line Genetics (8.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Our Savior Lutheran Church (6.9 miles)
• Holy Wisdom Monastery (8.1 miles)
• St Michael's (9.2 miles)

Theaters

• Point Cinema Madison, Wi (7.4 miles)