1132 Catherine Street, Waukesha, WI 53186
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Next Step In Residential Services Catherine
Pros
The staff are well trained, friendly, and provide quality care.- The facility is nice.
- The facility is very clean and professional.
- The staff are very nice for those who need this type of treatment.
Cons
The management is horrible.- The place has gone downhill since last year.
- Floor staff are overworked, stressed, and underpaid.
- The owners do not care except about the money to line their pockets.
- They are extremely short-staffed in both day program and residential.
- The temp service they use is horrible and does not provide adequate care.
- They do the bare minimum.
- Multiple residential houses NS owns have bed bugs, terrible staff, and clients that attack each other.
Review
Next Step In Residential Services Catherine in Waukesha is best suited for older adults and adults with moderate supportive needs who profit from a structured, clean, and professionally run living environment. The combination of residential houses and a day program signals a model built on routine, supervision, and timely assistance with daily activities. Families drawn to a polished, professional appearance and courteous frontline staff will often feel confident during initial visits. This community tends to work well for residents whose care requirements are steady and predictable, and who value a clear policy framework and responsive front-line teams, so long as staffing levels and day-to-day management hold up under heavier demand.
However, a substantial caveat accompanies that fit: prospective residents who require rock-solid, consistent supervision and proactive, hands-on management should scrutinize this option closely. Several voices raise concerns about leadership and staffing stability, suggesting that the care experience can become uneven when floor staff are overworked or short-handed. For families that cannot tolerate meaningful fluctuations in caregiver continuity or the occasional drop in responsiveness, alternatives with stronger governance and deeper bench strength may be preferable. In short, the community serves well when leadership is present and staffing is stable; it becomes riskier when those conditions lapse.
The strongest positives cited across multiple accounts are cleanliness, professionalism, and friendly frontline staff. When care teams are fully staffed and well trained, residents experience courteous interactions, orderly surroundings, and a sense of being genuinely cared for. That said, these strengths are tempered by the more frequent, systemic drawbacks described: management that appears disengaged from day-to-day issues, persistent staffing gaps, and a reliance on temporary workers that can dilute consistency in care. Residents and families will want to weigh the reliability of daily care against these fault lines, recognizing that a tidy environment and pleasant staff do not fully compensate for inconsistent coverage or slow problem resolution.
A second major concern centers on safety and resident-to-resident dynamics, with reports of bed bugs across multiple houses and instances of aggressive interactions. Such issues point to broader infection control and risk-management challenges that require transparent remediation plans and aggressive oversight. While cleanliness and professional demeanor at the front lines can reassure families in the short term, ongoing pest management, proactive incident handling, and a demonstrable corrective trajectory are nonnegotiable for long-term confidence. Prospective residents should demand concrete information about pest remediation, incident response protocols, and evidence of sustained leadership engagement in these areas.
From a decision-making standpoint, due diligence should focus on concrete, current assurances: staffing ratios by shift, turnover rates, and how supervisory oversight is maintained on evenings and weekends; a clear plan for addressing bed bugs and other safety concerns; and a transparent track record of management responsiveness to complaints. Families should request to speak with direct caregivers, the on-site supervisor, and several residents or family members to gauge consistency of care across different times of day. It is essential to verify that the day program and residential services are integrated with dependable transportation, timely medication administration, and activities that align with individual goals.
Ultimately, Next Step In Residential Services Catherine can be a solid choice for the right resident, one who benefits from a clean, respectful, and structured environment and who can rely on reasonably consistent staffing and leadership. When management is engaged and staffing levels are reliably maintained, the positives, professional presentation, courteous staff, and a calm atmosphere, outweigh the drawbacks. However, for families prioritizing unwavering supervision, aggressive problem-solving, and a proactive leadership presence, this community may not meet every standard. In that case, exploring alternatives with demonstrated, stable governance and a track record of rapid issue resolution is prudent. The decision hinges on balancing the value of a pleasant, orderly setting against the reality of staffing variability and the severity of reported safety challenges.
4 resident community capacity
Assisted Living
Board and Care Home
Cable or satellite TV
Dining room
Fully furnished
Garden
Housekeeping services
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Telephone
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
General Mitchell International (17 miles away)
24-hour supervision
Activities of daily living assistance
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Meal preparation and service
Medication management
Special dietary restrictions
Transportation arrangement (medical)
Transportation to doctors appointments
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