108 17 Th Avenue Sourth, Onalaska, WI 54650
To contact a resident: (608) 783-1815
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Laurel Manor
Pros
Laurel Manor is a small, clean facility with a home-like atmosphere.- The staff are friendly, helpful, and attentive to residents' needs.
- The food is great, with two meal choices at lunch and dinner and snack options for breakfast.
- The resident rooms feel like small apartments, with a bedroom, bath, living area, and kitchen, plus space for a walker.
- The facility offers activities, has volunteers, and hosts regular entertainment and social events.
- Religious services are available across the hall at the adjacent nursing home, and residents are invited to attend.
- The care center provides weekly cleaning and laundry, and is affordable and accommodating for families.
Cons
The facility kicked people out without a single day's notice.- It was a horrible place.
- They should be ashamed of themselves.
Review
Laurel Manor in Onalaska is best suited for families seeking a small, home‑like assisted living where care feels personal and routines stay predictable. The community runs a tight ship in a 22‑room setting, with private apartments that include a bedroom, bath, living area, and a kitchen, designed to preserve independence while remaining easy for staff to supervise. Cleanliness and approachable staff are recurring strengths, delivering reliability families can count on. The arrangement also supports hands‑on involvement from relatives, with volunteers driving activities and residents invited to participate in services at the neighboring nursing home, including Mass and Lutheran worship, creating a sense of continuity without a sprawling campus.
Laurel Manor aligns with families who value quiet, manageable days over a bustling senior campus. The dining room is small but functional, offering two choices per meal and the option to fill breakfast with simple snacks. The overall environment emphasizes dignity and ease: residents have their own private space, while a shared social rhythm, games, coffee, and occasional entertainment, encourages interaction without overwhelming schedules. For someone who wants a straightforward, affordable option that prioritizes comfort and close staff attention, Laurel Manor hits the mark.
From a staffing and maintenance standpoint, the pros are tangible: consistently clean facilities and dependable housekeeping and laundry routines; staff who know residents by name and communicate clearly about needs. The private apartment model reduces disruption and supports personal autonomy, with flexible spaces that let a resident customize their daily living. Meal quality is repeatedly praised, described as homemade with dietary options, and the presence of volunteers adds warmth to daily life. Taken together, these advantages create solid value for families seeking a practical, respectful care setting without the expense and complexity of larger communities.
Yet, several caveats temper the upside. Size matters here; with only 22 rooms, social options can feel limited, and some residents may experience a slower pace or feel less stimulation than larger facilities offer. An explicit negative note in the reviews centers on a policy claim about discharging residents with little notice, a serious red flag that warrants direct clarification at tour and contract discussion. The combination of limited social outlets and a potential instability in policy highlights the importance of assessing current staffing consistency, the availability of appealing activities, and the clarity of admission and discharge rules before committing.
Despite these concerns, the core strengths can be decisive for the right resident. The intimate scale, stable staffing, and easy access to religious services across the street create a sense of belonging that many families place a premium on. For seniors who are content with a quieter, predictable routine and who value direct, personal attention from caregivers, Laurel Manor can deliver a safe, comfortable home environment at a reasonable price. The beneficial mix of privacy, clean surroundings, and family‑inclusive programming often translates into a low‑stress transition from independent living or from a larger assisted setting when the goal is sustained autonomy in a familiar space.
When evaluating Laurel Manor, pursue a practical, outcomes‑focused tour: confirm daily caregiving routines, ask for current staff‑to‑resident ratios, and press on discharge policies and contingency plans. Inspect the apartment layout for safety features and ease of movement, and verify meal timing and breakfast options to ensure they align with daily needs. Explore the calendar of activities and the role of volunteers to gauge social opportunities, then compare with alternatives that offer more expansive programming or larger communities. For a resident who prioritizes homelike comfort, consistent care, and clear pricing, Laurel Manor stands out as a prudent choice; for those who require extensive social engagement or more integrated services, alternatives deserve serious consideration.
12 resident community capacity
1-bedroom apartments
Assisted Living
Board and Care Home
Independent Living
Activities on-site
Beautician on-site
Cable or satellite TV
Devotional services off-site
Dining room
Financial aid
Fully furnished
Garden
Housekeeping services
Indoor common areas
Laundry
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Resident parking
Security gate
Telephone
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
La Crosse Municipal (2 miles away)
Transportation & parking
24-hour supervision
Ambulatory care
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Diabetic care
Meal preparation and service
Medication management
Special dietary restrictions
Transportation arrangement (medical)
English
Vibrant Senior Living: A Comprehensive Guide for Active Older Adults
When to Transition from Assisted Living to Memory Care: Key Indicators, Steps, and Finding the Right Community
Assisted Living and Memory Care: Understanding Their Core Differences