111 N. Bellis Street, Wausau, WI 54403
To contact a resident: (715) 849-2740
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Artisan Senior Living Wausau Costs & Pricing
Artisan Senior Living Wausau offers competitive pricing in comparison to both Marathon County and the broader state of Wisconsin. For a semi-private room, residents will find that Artisan's monthly rate of $3,000 is slightly higher than the county average of $2,999 but significantly lower than the state's average of $3,977. The private studio option at Artisan is priced at $3,800, which is slightly below the county's average of $3,883 but remains close to the state mean of $3,999. When considering larger accommodations, Artisan's two-bedroom suite stands out at $4,300; while this exceeds the local county price of $2,765 significantly, it still surpasses Wisconsin's average cost of $3,111. Overall, Artisan Senior Living Wausau provides a blend of quality services and amenities that may justify its higher prices for certain room types.
| Floor plans | Artisan Senior Living Wausau | Marathon County | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-Private | $3,000 | $2,999 | $3,977 |
| Studio | $3,800 | $3,883 | $3,999 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $4,300 | $2,765 | $3,111 |
Overall Review of Artisan Senior Living Wausau
Pros
The community is cute.- The staff is friendly and caring, especially Challee.
- There is one awesome caretaker.
- It is the cheapest assisted living in the area.
Cons
They don't take care of special needs patients.- They don't follow special diets like GF, Diabetic, low sodium, etc.
- They don't take time to help residents with physical therapy.
- They are extremely short staffed.
- They don't know how to cook.
- They burn things.
- They serve things undercooked.
- They never follow the menus provided by their Dietitian.
- The rest are under par to put it nicely.
Review
This community is best suited for budget-conscious seniors who mainly need assistance with daily living activities and crave a small, home-like atmosphere. Artisan Senior Living Wausau offers an appealing, “cute” setting and a generally friendly environment, with at least one caregiver celebrated for going the extra mile. The page that stands out most from families is the presence of a caring, approachable staff member, Challee, who can make a meaningful day-to-day difference for residents who fit a simpler care profile.
Families weighing options should explicitly consider alternatives if medical needs exceed basic assistance. Residents requiring specialized diets (gluten-free, diabetic, low-sodium, etc.), or those who depend on routine physical therapy or structured rehabilitative support, will likely encounter ongoing gaps. The reviews point to a staffing shortfall and a kitchen that struggles to meet dietary standards, which signals real risk for anyone expecting consistent, medically informed meals and meal-related care. For dementia care, complex medication management, or highly individualized care plans, the gaps highlighted by reviewers strongly suggest looking elsewhere.
The strongest positives are clear but must be weighed against persistent drawbacks. The affordability factor is compelling: Artisan is described as the cheapest assisted-living option in the area, which can be a decisive factor for families with tight budgets. The perceived warmth of the community and a standout caregiver create a nucleus of trust in daily interactions. However, these advantages are undermined by the dominant cons: serious staffing shortages, limited time for therapy and assistance with exercise, and a kitchen that frequently burns or serves undercooked meals and disregards the menus dictated by a Dietitian. In short, the pros provide comfort and cost savings, but the cons threaten consistency, safety, and dietary adherence.
From a decision-making standpoint, several practical steps separate a cautious yes from a hasty commitment. First, verify current staffing levels and shift coverage, and request a transparent schedule that shows care-staff availability for meals, dressing, mobility assistance, and routine therapy-related activities. Second, demand documentation of dietary accommodations and a commitment to follow dietitian-approved menus, with a clear process for handling special diets and texture-modified meals if needed. Third, scrutinize the kitchen’s responsiveness: observe meal service, talk with the kitchen team, and seek concrete examples of how dietary requests are fulfilled. Fourth, review the facility’s care plans for residents with higher needs, and ask to speak with several direct caregivers about daily routines to gauge consistency.
Those most likely to regret an enrollment are individuals with evolving medical complexity, strict dietary requirements, or those who rely on regular physical therapy as part of their care plan. A strong case exists for considering alternatives if the priority is guaranteed adherence to dietary restrictions, robust and consistent rehabilitative support, or a level of care that can be sustained without continual family oversight. On the other hand, for seniors who can thrive with basic assistance, relish social opportunities, and accept the trade-offs of a lower-cost model, Artisan offers tangible value. A realistic expectation, paired with proactive family involvement, can still yield a comfortable, well-located living arrangement.
In the end, Artisan Senior Living Wausau presents a practical option for those prioritizing affordability and a warm, small-community vibe, provided that the incoming resident’s needs align with the facility’s current staffing and service limits. The prudent path is to visit multiple times, especially during meals and activity periods, to gauge real-time kitchen quality and staff responsiveness. Request a detailed, dietitian-aligned meal plan and a clear therapeutic services schedule; speak with several caregivers and residents about day-to-day experiences; and compare with nearby communities that offer higher staffing ratios and more comprehensive dietary and rehabilitative capabilities. With careful vetting and a willingness to supplement care at home where gaps exist, Artisan can be a reasonable choice, yet only for those who can accommodate its evident constraints.
Assisted Living
Cats allowed
Dogs allowed
Activities off-site
Bath tubs
Beautician on-site
Cable or satellite TV
Devotional services off-site
Ground floor units
Handicap accessible
Indoor common areas
Outdoor common areas
Respite or short term stays offered
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
Central Wisconsin (13 miles away)
Ambulatory care
Diabetic care
High acuity care
Incontinence care
Medication management
Anytime dining
BBQs or picnics
Birthday parties
Cooking classes
Day trips and outings
Live dance or theater performances
Live musical performances
Trivia games
Wii bowling
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