Brookdale Onalaska

Pros

• Brookdale Onalaska is described as a small and homey facility that allows for strong connections among residents and staff.
• The community offers a variety of activities, fostering an active and engaging environment for residents.
• Many reviewers highlight the friendly and supportive staff who provide excellent care and communication about residents' well-being.
• Residents enjoy the meals, with several reviews noting their good taste and variety of options available.
• The cleanliness and attractive setting of Brookdale Onalaska are frequently mentioned, contributing to a positive atmosphere for both residents and visitors.
• Family members express satisfaction with the level of attention given to their loved ones, enhancing their sense of security and comfort in the facility.

Cons

• A former family member reported a horrible experience at Brookdale, citing bland food, unsupportive staff, and inappropriate outbursts from other residents.
• The reviewer felt that the facility was understaffed and that their mother's needs were not adequately met despite assurances from Brookdale.
• There were concerns raised about the lack of activities on weekends, which some residents found disappointing.
• One individual was not impressed by the small room sizes and described the environment as crowded, despite acknowledging friendly staff.
• Another review noted that the overall atmosphere resembled a nursing home rather than an assisted living community, which did not meet their expectations for their parents.

Review

Brookdale Onalaska has garnered mixed reviews from residents and their families, reflecting a spectrum of experiences that range from positive and heartwarming to troubling and disappointing. For many, the facility is seen as a cozy, home-like environment where staff members are friendly and attentive. One family member shared how their loved one has experienced a “wonderful experience” at Brookdale, highlighting the small community atmosphere with only 19 residents. This size allows for more personal interactions among residents and staff alike. Activities keep the residents engaged, with options such as low-impact exercises and outdoor trips, providing opportunities for socialization and enjoyment.

However, not all feedback is positive. One former family member expressed deep dissatisfaction with their experience at Brookdale Onalaska, describing it as an overall “horrible experience.” They noted bland food options, unsupportive staff interactions, and inappropriate outbursts from other residents as significant concerns during their time there. To complicate matters further, they indicated that some staff would vent personal issues to the resident's mother instead of maintaining professional boundaries. Such instances contribute to the negative atmosphere described by this reviewer.

Conversely, multiple reviews praise the cleanliness of the facility and commend the kitchen for preparing tasty meals that residents enjoy. Another family member emphasized that their loved one was receiving appropriate care while also participating in enjoyable activities during the week. This sense of satisfaction with meal quality aligns with accounts of supportive staff who communicate proactively about incidents involving residents—an aspect appreciated by families seeking reassurance about their loved ones’ well-being.

Despite positive mentions regarding staffing dedication, it’s important to note some reports of understaffing issues at Brookdale Onalaska. A concerned family voiced frustrations over what they perceived as inadequate support for their mother’s needs when her condition deteriorated; although they communicated these needs during care meetings, they felt pressured into hiring extra caregivers rather than receiving adequate assistance from Brookdale itself. An alarming incident where their mother went missing for two hours led them to question the facility’s ability to provide secure care under challenging circumstances.

On a more optimistic note, those who toured Brookdale found it appealing due to its smaller size compared to larger facilities which often feel institutionalized or impersonal. Visitors appreciated features such as 24-hour check-ins on residents every couple of hours at night without unnecessary disturbances during sleep times—a thoughtful touch that hints at personalized care protocols unique to Brookdale Onalaska. Even though not every visitor chose this facility ultimately due to different needs or preferences regarding apartment size or community amenities like onsite therapy services, there remained admiration for how well cared for current residents seemed.

Lastly, while some reviews pointed out areas needing improvement—like weekend activity availability or cramped living quarters—others celebrated various aspects like home-cooked meals using fresh produce grown in gardens surrounding the property or organized beauty services offered weekly on-site. Residents shared feelings of being both welcomed within a caring community atmosphere but mixed emotions over space limitations hindered completely idealized experiences sought by families looking for elderly care environments promoting independence alongside safety.

In conclusion, examining feedback reveals a multifaceted picture of Brookdale Onalaska’s assisted living offerings where individual experiences vary significantly across different families and circumstances—the warmth shown through personalized attention stands juxtaposed against pressing challenges related potentially understaffing issues impacting resident care stability overall contributing profoundly shaped sentiment towards this particular senior living environment in Onalaska.

This part of Onalaska, Wisconsin is a vibrant and convenient area with a variety of amenities easily accessible. There are several places of worship nearby for those seeking spiritual fulfillment, as well as parks for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Restaurants in the area offer diverse dining options, including local favorites like Blue Moon and Senor Villa. Residents can conveniently access pharmacies and medical facilities such as Gundersen Pharmacy and Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare. Additionally, cafes like Panera Bread and Caribou Coffee provide opportunities to socialize and enjoy a cup of coffee. The close proximity to transportation options like Amtrak ensures easy travel for seniors looking to explore beyond the neighborhood.

Places of Worship

• Apostolic Life Church (0.3 miles)
• Saint Patrick's Catholic Parish (0.8 miles)
• Holmen Lutheran Church (5.1 miles)
• St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church (5.3 miles)
• Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church (5.9 miles)

Parks

• Community Park (0.5 miles)
• Veterans Freedom Park (4.2 miles)
• Deerwood Park (4.4 miles)
• Copeland Park (4.4 miles)
• Hixon Forest Park (5.3 miles)
• Rotary Park (5.5 miles)
• Riverside Park (5.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Blue Moon (0.7 miles)
• Lindy's Subs & Salads (0.8 miles)
• Coulee Golf Bowl (1.2 miles)
• Senor Villa (1.3 miles)
• Culver's (1.6 miles)
• Nutbush City Limits (1.9 miles)
• Rocky Rococo Pan Style Pizza (2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Gundersen Pharmacy Onalaska (Degen Berglund) (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Complete Nutrition (2.3 miles)
• Pinnacle Pharmacy of Lax (2.4 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Gundersen Pharmacy Onalaska Clinic (2.6 miles)

Physicians

• Better Hearing Center (0.9 miles)
• Better Hearing Center (1.3 miles)
• Freedland Robert J MD Freedland, Robert, J, MD (1.8 miles)
• Gundersen Lutheran Express Care (2 miles)
• Allergy Associates of La Crosse (2.1 miles)
• Oral Surgery Clinic of La Crosse (2.1 miles)
• Gundersen Lutheran Dialysis Center (2.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare (1.1 miles)
• Gundersen W. R. Yutuc Renal Dialysis Center Onalaska (2.5 miles)
• Gundersen Lutheran Family Medicine (2.7 miles)
• Restoration Myofascial Release (2.8 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (2 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Jacqlons Country Cafe & Pub (4.7 miles)
• Greengrass Cafe (5.8 miles)
• Moka (5.9 miles)
• Grounded Specialty Coffee (6 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (4.5 miles)