Our House Senior Living - Wausau Memory Care

Pros

• The kitchen staff was friendly and took the time to show the visitor around the building.
• It was nice to see that the residents were engaged in an activity, such as bingo.
• The facility was clean and well-maintained.
• The staff members were pleasant during the visit.

Cons

• The facility lacked a welcoming atmosphere, with no staff available to greet visitors upon arrival.
• The reviewer felt disconnected from the environment and unimpressed by the overall experience.
• There was confusion regarding scheduled appointments, indicating poor organization among the staff.
• The absence of a licensed nurse on-site raised concerns about medical oversight and safety.
• It was alarming that a cook, rather than a trained professional, was responsible for administering medication.
• The cook’s comment about the side door being unlocked highlighted security issues within the facility.
• There were previous incidents involving residents wandering away from the facility without supervision and encountering dangerous situations.
• Overall, the reviewer did not find the establishment safe for individuals prone to wandering and believed it failed to meet their needs.

Review

Upon my arrival at Our House, I was met with an absence of formal greeting, which set a somewhat lukewarm tone for my visit. Instead of a dedicated representative or a staff member to welcome me and provide a guided tour, it was the kitchen staff who took it upon themselves to show me around. This lack of organized reception left me feeling slightly disconnected from the facility right from the start.

During the tour, I found that there were positive aspects worth noting about Our House. The kitchen staff had managed to engage the residents in an activity—bingo—where they were all gathered around a table participating together. This initiative to involve the residents in a group activity stood out as a commendable effort on behalf of the staff and offered some reassurance regarding their involvement in residents’ daily lives. Additionally, I observed that the facility itself was clean and well-maintained, contributing positively to my overall impression at that moment.

However, despite these positives, I found myself feeling less than impressed with various aspects of the operation. There appeared to be significant gaps in communication, as I arrived with an appointment that seemed unknown to those present at the facility. This left me questioning their organizational structure and level of preparedness when it came to receiving potential visitors or new residents. It was disconcerting that someone like the cook would have been responsible for answering the door and leading tours rather than a designated staff member trained for such responsibilities.

From what I gathered during my exploration of Our House, it became apparent that they had limitations in their staffing model. The facility featured only one living area complemented by an L-shaped dining area—a layout that did not evoke feelings of spaciousness or variety for residents. Notably concerning was the fact that there wasn’t a nurse present on-site; rather, there is merely one who visits monthly—an arrangement that raises questions about day-to-day health management and emergencies should they arise.

Another alarming detail emerged regarding medication distribution; it was being handled by non-licensed personnel—the cook. Medication management is critical in care facilities, especially given varying levels of resident needs for healthcare support. This point further amplified my concerns about safety measures within Our House because if unlicensed individuals are dispensing medications without proper oversight or nursing support regularly available, it could pose serious risks.

Lastly, during my departure from Our House, I encountered an unsettling conversation with the cook related to security protocols—or lack thereof—at this establishment. He casually mentioned how regulars learn they can enter through an unlocked side door whenever they wish. As someone whose father has tendencies toward wandering off unsupervised—a behavior potentially dangerous in any care environment—I found this revelation extremely alarming and indicative of inadequate safety measures in place at this facility.

Reflecting upon these observations and experiences reinforced my apprehensions regarding whether Our House would adequately meet our specific needs as caregivers looking after individuals susceptible to wandering behaviors or requiring more substantial medical oversight than what could be provided by cooking staff alone. While it may offer some appealing qualities for certain residents, such as those with fewer health complexities or wander-related issues, it certainly did not align well with our expectations nor provide necessary assurances for safety—a fundamental criterion when selecting a care home for loved ones.

Places of Worship

• Jehovah's Witnesses (0.2 miles)
• Grace & Truth Chapel (1 miles)
• St Michael Catholic Church (1.6 miles)
• Highland Community Church (1.8 miles)
• Nulifesong Outreach (2 miles)
• Institute of Christ the King (2.5 miles)
• Remnant Student Ministries (2.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Philly's Subs & Gyros (0.6 miles)
• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• Briq's Soft Serve (0.7 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.7 miles)
• Newch's Eatery (1 miles)
• Urban Street Bistro (1.2 miles)
• Culver's (1.4 miles)

Physicians

• Christian Family Practice (0.6 miles)
• Healthfirst (1.2 miles)
• American Telepsychiatry (1.2 miles)
• Bridge Community Health Clinic (1.3 miles)
• Bridge Clinic (1.3 miles)
• Dermatology Associates of Wisconsin (1.4 miles)
• John T Dovorany (1.4 miles)

Parks

• Scholfield Park (0.8 miles)
• Merrill Ave Triangle (0.9 miles)
• Riverlife Playground (1.4 miles)
• Riverview hilltop park (1.8 miles)
• Marathon Park (2.1 miles)
• Isle of Ferns Park (2.6 miles)
• Riveredge Parkway (2.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Safe Kids Wausau Area (1.2 miles)
• Aspirus Behavioral Medicine Clinic (2.1 miles)
• Westhill Professional Building (2.1 miles)
• Oakview Professional Building (2.2 miles)
• Aspirus (2.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Young's Drug Store (1.4 miles)
• Young's Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Ascension Rx - Wausau Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Trig's Floral & Home (1.9 miles)
• Aspirus Pharmacy (2.1 miles)

Cafes

• Biggby Coffee (1.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Whitewater Music Hall (2.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.2 miles)

Transportation

• D bus (2.2 miles)
• U-Haul (2.9 miles)