Petersen Health Care of WI Inc in Rhinelander, WI

Pros

• The staff are wonderful and caring.
• Friendly Village Nursing & Rehab Center was very caring, respectful, and very accommodating.
• The entire staff has been welcoming, compassionate, and professional.
• The team is top-notch and a proud, long-standing part of the Rhinelander community.
• The food is very appetizing and there are home-like spaces for family and visitors.
• The church services, choirs, and socials make for cheerful and busy days.
• The director of nursing is highly regarded.
• The facility has a positive, family atmosphere where residents' needs come first.
• The facility is very clean and has a nice home-like feel.
• The staff are thorough in meeting residents' needs, including arranging physical and occupational therapy promptly.

Cons

• The service has gone downhill, especially in the evenings.
• A resident had to wait up to an hour to use the bathroom after pressing the nurse call button and was scolded for it.
• On another occasion, a resident was left in the bathroom for an hour and a half after pressing the button, with staff saying their shift was over.
• The facility is described as short-staffed, leading to unacceptable care.
• A resident's bathroom was not clean on arrival, and staff were slow to respond to call lights for a fall risk.
• Dinner was forgotten for a resident on one night.
• A patient reportedly had clothing stolen, unacceptable food, and poor communication with staff.
• The reviewer would rate the facility zero stars and would not recommend it.

Review

Friendly Village Nursing & Rehab Center in Rhinelander, operated by Petersen Health Care of WI Inc, is best suited for seniors who prize a warm, home-like atmosphere and robust rehabilitation support, delivered by a team that generally shows genuine care when staffing allows. The facility tends to respect resident dignity, offers meaningful social programming, and maintains a clean, inviting environment. For families, this means a place where rehab progress and daily life can feel collaborative, with staff that can feel consistently engaged when workloads permit. The core appeal lies in the human touch of the staff and in an atmosphere that feels comfortable and familiar, not clinical or cold.

That said, certain families should actively consider alternatives. The most salient red flag is staffing consistency. Evening and other off-peak shifts can suffer, producing slow call-light responses and occasional gaps in basic needs assistance. For residents who require near-immediate help, 24/7 vigilance, or highly specialized medical attention at all hours, the risk of delayed care grows when staffing is lean. Families with high medical acuity, unpredictable needs, or a history of requiring rapid escalation should weigh other options where nurse-to-resident ratios and supervision are reliably higher. Also, a few families report concerns about administration, meals, or maintenance issues that can erode confidence if not promptly addressed.

The strongest positives - consistency in compassionate care, proactive rehab planning, and clear family communication - often offset many drawbacks when the facility is fully staffed. Reviews repeatedly praise the CNA and nursing teams for kindness, competence, and a willingness to go the extra mile. Rehab services are typically well-coordinated, with physical and occupational therapy arranged pre- and post-admission in ways that reduce caregiver burden on families. The home-like aesthetics, accessible common areas, and regular social events create a supportive daily rhythm that helps residents stay connected, active, and engaged, which, in turn, can accelerate recovery and maintain quality of life even during longer stays.

This is not a purely clinical environment; it leans into a community feel that several families describe as a real strength. The presence of regular church services, social lunches, games, and outings provides a meaningful alternative to the sterile pace of some larger facilities. When residents respond well to these elements, familiar routines and peer interaction sharpen overall wellbeing and can lessen feelings of isolation. However, the social warmth cannot completely compensate for the risk of delayed assistance if staffing falters; the gap between aspiration and reality here will hinge on how well shifts are staffed on any given day and how promptly leadership responds to concerns.

To navigate the variability, practical steps matter. Prospective residents and families should request a candid tour that includes conversations with the Director of Nursing and several frontline caregivers across shifts. Investigate typical call-light response times, confirm the care plan for mobility-reliant residents, and review how emergencies are escalated after hours. Ask for concrete examples of how staffing shortages are managed, and request a meeting to discuss ongoing quality improvement plans. Take note of how communication flows: are family updates timely and thorough, and is there a clear process for reporting concerns and tracking follow-through?

The bottom-line verdict is practical and clear. Friendly Village delivers a strong, compassionate core with excellent rehab coordination and a welcoming, home-like environment that many families value highly. Its real strength is the people - nurses, CNAs, and therapists who show genuine care when staffing permits. The caveat is staffing consistency; when shifts are thin, response times slip, and several troubling anecdotes surface about neglect or delayed care. For families willing to stay engaged, monitor care closely, and advocate when needed, this community can be an excellent fit, especially for post-acute rehab and long-term residency that emphasizes social connection and personal attention. For those who cannot tolerate potential delays or variability in daily care, pursuing alternatives with steadier staffing levels is prudent.

This part of Rhinelander, Wisconsin offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With multiple places of worship in close proximity, individuals can easily access spiritual support and community engagement. The presence of reputable hospitals, physicians, and pharmacies ensures easy access to essential healthcare services. Additionally, there are various dining options ranging from cafes to restaurants offering convenient and delicious meal choices. Transportation services such as cab companies, rental services, and an airport in close proximity facilitate ease of travel for seniors. Parks and recreational areas provide opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Overall, this area provides a blend of convenience, healthcare accessibility, entertainment options, and natural surroundings that make it an ideal location for senior living in Rhinelander.

Places of Worship

• First United Methodist Church (0.6 miles)
• St Augustine's Episcopal Church (1 miles)
• Seventh Day Adventists Community Service Center (1 miles)
• Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (1.1 miles)
• Faith Baptist Church (1.2 miles)
• Saint Joseph Parish (2 miles)
• Pre School Nativity of Our Lord School (2 miles)

Hospitals

• Saint Marys Hospital (0.7 miles)
• Saint Marys Hospital (2.6 miles)
• Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital (17.7 miles)
• Sacred Heart Hospital (17.8 miles)

Physicians

• Ministry Medical Group (0.7 miles)
• Jain Raj Kumar MD - Ministry Medical Group Occupational Medicine (0.7 miles)
• Eyewear Express (0.7 miles)
• Priority Medical Partners (1.1 miles)
• Ministry Behavioral Health (1.3 miles)
• Aspirus Northland Orthopedics (1.4 miles)
• Ascension Northland Orthopedic & Sports Medicine (1.4 miles)

Cafes

• Tula's Cafe (0.7 miles)
• A'la Mode (2.2 miles)
• Northern Coffee Haus (3.4 miles)

Transportation

• Rapid Cab Company (0.8 miles)
• U-Haul (1 miles)
• Budget Truck Rental (1.4 miles)
• Alamo (1.6 miles)
• Air Direct Airlines (1.6 miles)
• Rhinelander–Oneida County Airport (RHI) (2 miles)
• Rhinelander Airport (2 miles)

Restaurants

• Kid's Korner Pizza (0.8 miles)
• Wing Street (0.8 miles)
• Shady Sue's (0.8 miles)
• Joe's Pasty Shop (0.8 miles)
• Tula's Family Restaurant (0.9 miles)
• Big Daddys Bar (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (0.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Trig's (0.8 miles)
• Home Town Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• The Apothecary (1 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Stoxen Professional Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (17.7 miles)

Parks

• Sarocka Field (1.3 miles)
• Pioneer Park (2.3 miles)
• Almon Recreation Area (2.8 miles)
• Squaw Point (16.4 miles)

Theaters

• Rouman Cinema (1.6 miles)