Cottages of Madison

Pros

• The owner of the facility promised improvements in response to feedback.
• A staff member went out of their way to facilitate a visit during COVID restrictions.
• The manager expressed willingness to work with different hospice providers.
• The presence of a baby monitor was discussed as a potential solution for residents needing assistance.
• There were interactions with kind and caring staff members who made efforts to accommodate the needs of residents.
• The facility had orders to crush medicine for patients who couldn't swallow pills, indicating an awareness of individualized care.
• Despite negative experiences, the review acknowledges the possibility of state inspections improving the facility in the future.

Review

The Cottages, a senior care facility, has received scathing reviews from the family members of residents who experienced neglect and abuse while under their care. One reviewer recounts their father's three-month stay at the facility, during which he was not provided with proper care or meals. Despite having a special diet, his dietary requirements were ignored, leading to his hospitalization due to malnutrition. Furthermore, aides neglected to assist residents during mealtimes and left them sitting on the toilet for extended periods while they attended to personal tasks. The overall atmosphere was described as prison-like, with an uncaring staff.

Another family member expressed their dissatisfaction after their loved one with terminal cancer spent a month at The Cottages before passing away. The rooms were reported to be small and bare upon arrival, requiring the family to provide furniture themselves. Communication with management was confusing and promises of improvements went unfulfilled. Bedridden residents had no call button and resorted to yelling for assistance without any response. In one instance, a resident had to sit on the edge of their bed all night because no staff came when called for help lying down. Staff interactions were marred by bickering and swearing, creating an uncomfortable environment.

The owner openly expressed dislike for the hospice chosen by this family member despite its reputable standing in the city. Medication administration proved negligent as an aide decided against administering necessary pills without consulting a doctor or notifying the resident's family. These oversights resulted in emergency room visits on two occasions. COVID restrictions prevented regular visits, but when the family attempted a window visit after being initially told it was unsafe due to terrain issues, they discovered that this was baseless reasoning provided by the manager.

Disturbingly, privacy locks on patient doors were reversed so that individuals could be locked inside their own rooms—a practice deemed questionable at best by management when confronted about it. Activities were nonexistent despite managers claiming it was up to the general staff to organize them. The dietary aspect also fell short, with a meager breakfast consisting of a small biscuit and cold gravy, and a lunch comprising two slices of white bread with minimal fillings and potato chips—a wholly insufficient meal for a diabetic patient managing high blood pressure.

In light of these grievances, it is strongly advised to steer clear of The Cottages until the facility addresses its numerous deficiencies. Concerned individuals are encouraged to review state inspection reports available from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, which highlight further complaints and violations. It is lamentable that the family member who wrote this review had not consulted such information beforehand, as their loved one ultimately suffered due to negligence and abuse. For assistance in navigating the website or accessing these reports, individuals may contact a representative at (608) 867-4269 from the Division of Quality Assurance at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

This area of Madison, Wisconsin offers a convenient location with a variety of amenities within a short distance. There are several dining options nearby, including Mariner’s Inn, Murphy's Bar and Restaurant, and Athens Gyros for delicious meals. For medical needs, there are pharmacies like Walgreens and UW Health Northeast Family Medical Center Pharmacy in close proximity, as well as healthcare facilities such as Mendota Mental Health Institute and May Vision Center. The area also has several parks for leisurely walks or outdoor activities, such as Warner Park and Harvey John & Lucille Taylor Memorial Park. Transportation options are readily available with Dane County Regional Airport nearby. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of services and recreational opportunities that would be beneficial for senior living.

Restaurants

• Mariner’s Inn (0.1 miles)
• Murphy's Bar and Restaurant (0.4 miles)
• Athens Gyros (0.5 miles)
• El Charro Mexican Grill (2 miles)
• Octopi Brewing (2.8 miles)
• Buck & Honey’s (3.1 miles)
• Jimmy John’s (3.1 miles)

Physicians

• Mendota Mental Health Institute (1 miles)
• Erdman, Boyd Madison Vein and Laser Institute (3.9 miles)
• May Vision Center (4.3 miles)
• Owen, Emily Uw Health Union Corners Urgent Care (4.4 miles)
• U W Health Urology Clinic (4.9 miles)
• Uw Pediatric Genetics Clinic (4.9 miles)
• Waisman Center (4.9 miles)

Parks

• Warner Park (2.2 miles)
• Harvey John & Lucille Taylor Memorial Park (3.6 miles)
• Centennial Park (4 miles)
• Mendota Park (4.1 miles)
• Ripp Park (4.4 miles)
• James Madison Park (4.7 miles)
• Breese Stevens Field (4.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• UW Health Northeast Family Medical Center Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Pharmacy Stars (2.9 miles)
• Scientific Protein Laboratories (3.3 miles)
• Pick 'n Save Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Home Town Pharmacy (4.1 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Holy Wisdom Monastery (3 miles)
• Eastside Evangelical Lutheran (5 miles)

Transportation

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

Hospitals

• UWHC Outpatient Radiology (4.6 miles)
• University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Authority (5 miles)
• William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital (5.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• Gordon Dining and Event Center (5.3 miles)
• Wonderstate Coffee (5.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.3 miles)

Theaters

• Flix Brewhouse (5.4 miles)