Cottages of Madison- Elmwood

Pros

• New Management New Staff, New look Cottages c has turned around.
• Most of the employees are decent.
• Some of the staff are nice and caring.
• They pledge to take excellent care of the people in their care.
• The Cottages assisted living would provide a peaceful transitional experience between homes.
• Their brochures online said they will accommodate your diet.

Cons

• The Cottages is terrible and not as advertised.
• It is described as a joke and not safe for loved ones.
• Residents reportedly sat in urine and endured bed sores.
• The facility repeatedly ran out of food and toiletries, and the food was tasteless.
• Bathrooms were not cleaned and the place smelled bad.
• Some staff were rude, uncaring, or constantly on their phones, with night staff sometimes sleeping on duty.
• Toilet paper ran out and washing machines were broken, leaving clothes unwashed.
• A nurse did nothing to help a resident in need, forcing others to intervene.
• The overall culture was one of apathy, with promises not kept and neglectful care.
• There were reports of theft, cruelty, and inappropriate behavior by staff, with little accountability.
• The care deficient included mishandling of medications and neglect during a resident's final weeks.

Review

A constellation of troubling experiences surrounds The Cottages of Madison, a setting that was marketed as a refreshed and improved assisted living option but has been the source of numerous distressing claims from current and former residents and their families. Across several accounts, the common thread is that new management and a new staff lineup did not translate into better care or a safer, more dignified environment. Instead, reviewers describe a place where basic needs were inconsistently met, where promises were not kept, and where a pervasive sense of neglect and frustration colored every visit.

Several reviews center on the most elemental of living conditions. Visitors and residents alike repeatedly note a persistent odor of urine upon arrival, with rooms described as cold and inadequately heated. One account recalls being told heat would be fixed but never seeing a correction, leading to a situation where a person was advised to provide their own electric blanket. The criticisms extend beyond temperature to overall cleanliness and maintenance: unsanitary bathrooms, infrequent or insufficient cleaning, and a general impression that residents were left to fend for themselves. The reviewers also point to systemic supply shortages - no private bathrooms in some cases, repeated run-ins with a lack of basic items like toilet paper, and the feeling that even everyday necessities were a constant fight to obtain. In at least one narrative, even laundry was compromised because washing machines were reported to be broken for extended periods, leaving residents' clothes and bedding unwashed.

Care quality and staff engagement emerge as a particularly fraught area. Reviewers acknowledge that some staff members are decent and caring, but they describe a substantial portion as rude, uncaring, or overwhelmed. The accounts consistently mention staff being on their phones during work hours, with some workers reportedly sleeping on duty at night or unable to respond promptly to emergencies. A culture of apathy is called out by more than one source, with mentions of staff who did not attend to residents' basic needs, failed to follow through on meals or medications, and created a sense of chaos rather than reassurance. The sentiment is reinforced by anecdotes of staff joking about shortages and shortages in essential services being treated as a game rather than a serious matter.

Food and nutrition are a repeated sore point. Reviewers describe tasteless meals, insufficient portions, and a lack of calories that left residents hungry or choosing to spend their own money at outside eateries. Dietary promises - such as vegetarian options or diet accommodations - are described as promises kept only superficially or not at all. One reviewer emphasizes that even for someone on a diabetic or restricted diet, meals did not align with nutritional needs, and there was little apparent effort to adapt menus to dietary restrictions. The sense of neglect extends to activities and engagement; one account notes the absence of meaningful activities for residents, contributing to a feeling of stasis rather than purposeful daily living.

Safety, medication management, and the handling of emergencies appear to be among the most alarming themes. A resident reportedly found in a restroom needing assistance, with the nurse on duty allegedly doing nothing to help when informed. In another case, a caregiver's conduct is described as crossing professional boundaries, with a report of inappropriate behavior that management allegedly did not adequately address. There are also serious concerns about medication management: a long, pointed account claims a 30-day evacuation notice was issued for a list of violations, including allegations tied to the mishandling or miscommunication of medications. In one troubling scenario, a resident's prescriptions were surrendered and then allegedly destroyed without proper authorization, escalating fears about abuse or neglect surrounding controlled substances. The lack of call buttons, the absence of timely assistance, and instances where residents had to rely on others to seek help amplify the sense of vulnerability and danger for those who cannot advocate for themselves.

A particularly comprehensive narrative from a family dealing with end-of-life care in the facility paints a stark portrait. The reviewer describes a patient with advanced illness and Medicaid constraints who faced a sequence of crises: dehydration, bedsores, and reduced caloric intake that worsened despite assurances from staff. The family reports repeated failures to follow orders regarding pain management and medication administration, inconsistent communication with caregivers and supervisors, and a perceived lack of accountability. The patient reportedly endured nights without adequate assistance, with no effective monitoring or response to urgent needs. In this account, the facility's shortcomings culminated in a transition to a more suitable care setting, with the family labeling the experience as neglectful and abusive. The family's reflections emphasize a broader pattern observed by multiple reviewers: a system that appeared unable to uphold basic standards of resident safety, dignity, and well-being.

Taken together, the reviews depict a troubling environment at The Cottages of Madison where new branding did not translate into improved care. They warn prospective families to exercise extreme caution, urging thorough, independent research and skepticism when evaluating the facility. While some staff may be capable and compassionate on occasion, the prevailing narrative is one of inconsistent care, operational shortcomings, and a troubling "culture of apathy" that can undermine residents' safety and quality of life. The accounts also hint at broader systemic issues, including inadequate oversight and limited responsiveness from administration, which several families accuse of persistently ignoring concerns despite assurances and private channels for feedback. For anyone considering this facility, the message repeated in these accounts is clear: proceed with rigorous due diligence and prioritize transparent, firsthand validation of the care environment before making a decision.

This part of Madison, Wisconsin is a bustling and convenient area with an array of amenities within close proximity. There are several reputable physicians and healthcare facilities nearby, including TLC Laser Eye Centers and UW Health East Clinic. In terms of dining options, there is a variety of restaurants such as Hooters, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Sugar River Pizza to choose from. Cafes like Panera Bread and Starbucks are also readily available for your convenience. For leisure activities, Flix Brewhouse offers entertainment options while several parks like Olbrich Park and Pheasant Run Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. Additionally, transportation is easily accessible with Dane County Regional Airport just a short distance away. Overall, this area offers a mix of healthcare services, dining options, recreational facilities, and transportation accessibility making it a desirable location for senior living.

Physicians

• TLC Laser Eye Centers (0.5 miles)
• Accuear Professional Hearing & Audiology Clinics (0.7 miles)
• UW Health East Clinic (0.7 miles)
• Group Health Cooperative (0.7 miles)
• U W Health-Spine Center - Daniel K Resnick MD (0.7 miles)
• Aesthetic Artistry MedSpa (2.2 miles)
• Robertson Plastic Surgery (3 miles)

Restaurants

• Hooters (0.9 miles)
• Qdoba Mexican Eats (1.1 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (1.2 miles)
• McDonald's (1.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.6 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.6 miles)
• Sugar River Pizza (2 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (0.9 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)

Theaters

• Flix Brewhouse (1.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Eastside Evangelical Lutheran (1.4 miles)
• Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church (5.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Target Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• UW Health at The American Center Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Metro Market (3.5 miles)
• Metro Market Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)

Parks

• Hunter's Ridge Park (3.1 miles)
• Kingston Onyx Park (3.2 miles)
• Sunny Valley Park (3.3 miles)
• Door Creek Park (3.4 miles)
• Olbrich Park (4 miles)
• Pheasant Run Park (4 miles)
• Ravenwood Park (4.2 miles)

Transportation

• Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) (3.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Spay Me (3.7 miles)