Milwaukee Protestant Home

Pros

• The Milwaukee Catholic Home is outstanding and offers care that is hard to beat.
• The facility is beautiful, especially after the newer renovations, and residents are very well cared for.
• The staff and administrators are adaptable under pressure, kind, and focused on promoting comfort and healing.
• The therapy department encourages healing and motivates residents even when circumstances are difficult.
• The staff in rehab and nursing are wonderful, energetic, and efficient.
• The food is terrific, with chefs cooking and willingness to prepare off-menu items to please residents.
• The courtyard provides safe access to fresh air and flowers.
• Employees are compassionate and skilled; this is an excellent rehab and assisted living facility.

Cons

• The lifts reportedly use old batteries, including the wrong colored ones, causing residents to be stuck or fall due to equipment failures.
• Bed bug infestations are frequent, with little effective action beyond spraying.
• Many staff are allegedly under the influence on duty, and supervisors prioritize filling positions over resident care.
• Food is sometimes served raw or remade with a hostile attitude from kitchen staff.
• Some residents arrive with mysterious bruises and there are no proper investigations or consequences.
• The facility reports infestations of mice and fruit flies and has dirty kitchen conditions that go unaddressed.
• Emergency pendants are not reliably responded to during shift changes, indicating neglect of residents.
• A supervisor is described as demeaning and harassing toward staff and residents, reflecting a culture of disrespect.

Review

The Milwaukee Catholic Home emerges in these reviews as a place of sharp contrasts. To many readers, the facility represents both a potential haven of care and a site of serious concerns, depending on who you talk to, which unit you're visiting, and what staff happens to be on duty. Taken together, the notes paint a picture of a campus that has earned praise for caring staff, engaging activities, and real improvements in some wings, while also facing persistent complaints about safety, cleanliness, staffing, and the behavior of some personnel in others.

On the critical side, several reviewers raise alarm bells about safety lapses and facility upkeep. They describe lifts with aging, inappropriate batteries and malfunctioning equipment, leaving residents at risk of falls or becoming stuck in the air for extended periods. Infestations appear repeatedly: bed bugs in multiple locations, mice, and fruit flies, with some reviewers saying that bug sprays and routine cleaning don't address the underlying problems. Kitchen and food-service concerns surface as well, including reports of raw or poorly prepared meals, negative reactions from kitchen staff when food was remade, and broad impressions that the kitchen operates under practices that violate health codes. Several voices claim that these issues are not fully investigated when problems arise, and that bruises or injuries in residents are not always explained or adequately addressed. The sense of neglect is reinforced by anecdotes about emergencies - such as residents pressing a pendant for help during shift changes and not receiving timely responses - and by claims that some areas of the building, like the third floor, have felt especially unsafe or poorly managed.

A number of comments focus on staffing and management dynamics. Some reviewers allege widespread inattention and even inebriation among staff during shifts, coupled with a perception that supervisors are overwhelmed by shortages and are therefore deprioritizing residents. There are accusations of disrespectful behavior toward residents and coworkers, with particular frustration directed at a receptionist and a supervisor described as demeaning or autocratic. One reviewer singles out a staff member as an example of poor treatment, while others describe a culture where checks on communication, accountability, and consistent care seem to fall through the cracks during busy periods. On the other hand, other voices acknowledge the same facility as a place where many staff members are caring, patient, and supportive, noting that some team members go above and beyond to help residents, despite the pressures of limited staffing.

In the midst of the criticisms, several reviews offer a contrasting, glowing portrait of care and compassion. A number of residents and family members praise the rehab and nursing teams as capable, empathetic professionals who work hard to promote recovery and comfort. Specific staff members are celebrated for their kindness and efficiency, and the therapy department is described as supportive and encouraging, sometimes even when the path to healing is difficult. Positive comments highlight the facility's aesthetics, renovations, and amenities - beautiful grounds, a welcoming atmosphere, and the presence of mass and music programs that bring joy and social connection. The kitchen is praised by some reviewers for offering "terrific" food and, in at least one review, for having chefs who are willing to prepare off-menu items to please residents. Several families recount heartfelt experiences where staff treated loved ones with genuine warmth, making them feel like family and helping them feel more at home during their stay.

The narrative alternates between negative and positive experiences in a way that suggests the outcomes depend heavily on unit, shift, and personnel. Some residents report tremendous improvements and gratitude, with stories of full recoveries, meaningful conversations, and staff who remember names and preferences. Others recount emotionally distressing experiences - bruises, perceived neglect, and a sense that the facility's more expensive offerings or "other buildings" come with a different, less favorable standard of care. A few reviewers explicitly distinguish between rehab and nursing areas, noting that one part of the campus can be a strong option and the other a place where families feel compelled to seek alternatives.

For families facing a decision, the consensus is not to ignore the mixed reality on offer. The Milwaukee Catholic Home presents itself as a place of potential for healing and companionship, while also bearing the burden of significant concerns cited by many residents and families. Prospective residents are encouraged to conduct their own thorough checks: visit the campus, observe how staff interact with residents, verify the responsiveness of emergency systems, and inquire about pest control, kitchen hygiene, and the policies in place for investigations when injuries occur. If you are evaluating this facility, you will encounter both the warmth and professionalism praised by some and the urgent cautions described by others, underscoring the importance of personal due diligence and unit-specific experiences in making a well-informed choice.

Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living. From restaurants like Champion's Pub and Glorioso's Italian Market to pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy, residents have easy access to essential needs. The neighborhood also provides recreational opportunities with parks like Kern Park and Lakeshore State Park nearby. For medical care, there are several hospitals including Aurora Sinai Medical Center and Wheaton Franciscan - St. Joseph Campus within a few miles. Additionally, transportation options are convenient with the Milwaukee Intermodal Station located within 3 miles. Places of worship like Honey Creek Church and Redemption Lutheran Church offer spiritual support for those seeking community connections. Overall, this part of Milwaukee provides a diverse range of resources for seniors looking to settle in a vibrant and accessible neighborhood.

Restaurants

• Champion's Pub (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• Jamo's (1 miles)
• The Tracks (1.1 miles)
• Veggas Pub (1.1 miles)
• Company Brewing (1.2 miles)
• Glorioso's Italian Market (1.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Metro Market Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)

Cafes

• Colectivo Lakefront (0.7 miles)
• Colectivo Coffee (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Starbucks (6.5 miles)
• Hawthorne Coffee Roasters (6.7 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)

Parks

• Kern Park (1.6 miles)
• Atwater Park (1.9 miles)
• Lakeshore State Park (2 miles)
• Red Arrow Park (2.1 miles)
• Henry Maier Festival Park (2.6 miles)
• Estabrook Park (2.8 miles)
• Paliafito Park (3.4 miles)

Transportation

• Milwaukee Intermodal Station (2.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Aurora Sinai Medical Center (2.8 miles)
• Wheaton Franciscan - St. Joseph Campus (4.9 miles)
• Aurora St Luke's Medical Center (6.2 miles)
• Aurora Psychiatric Hospital (6.7 miles)
• Froedtert Pavilion (7.3 miles)

Physicians

• Rheumatic Disease Center (5.9 miles)
• Aurora Nephrology (6.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Honey Creek Church (7.1 miles)
• Redemption Lutheran Church (7.1 miles)