Samaritan Health Ctr in West Bend, WI

Pros

• The facility is clean and the patients seem to be well cared for.
• Samaritan offers a home-like atmosphere.
• The staff at Samaritan are caring, helpful, and treat all residents with respect.
• Samaritan provides a variety of enjoyable outings and activities.
• The beauty shop services and church services are excellent.
• The meals at Samaritan are loved by residents.
• The therapy program is amazing and helps residents meet their goals.
• The staff are friendly, professional, and consistently attentive.
• The new ownership has already had a positive impact and noticeable improvements.

Cons

• The hygiene care for the resident was terrible.
• The facility does not deserve a star; the care was horrible.
• The call button was on the floor and out of reach for the resident.
• CNAs are constantly hiding in corners on their phones.
• The care plan had never been updated, leaving staff unsure about the resident's needs.
• The director of nursing screams at people with no consequences.
• The facility is woefully understaffed, and management disciplines overworked staff.
• There was feces on the walls that was not cleaned promptly.

Review

Samaritan Health Center in West Bend is best suited for families seeking a rehab-forward transition into long-term care, delivered in a setting that feels more like a home than a hospital. The community’s strongest draw is a substantive therapy program that helps residents regain mobility, paired with a staff culture described as genuinely caring and approachable. An active calendar of outings and activities keeps people engaged, while the presence of a dementia ward and regular chapel services signals a holistic approach that supports both physical recovery and spiritual needs. For seniors who want to stay socially connected, enjoy beauty shop services, and participate in church and community life, Samaritan often translates into meaningful progress and days that feel constructive rather than confinement.

Those most likely to want alternatives are families prioritizing flawless, uniform clinical oversight and rock-solid day-to-day operations. A consistent thread in the reviews is that care quality can be uneven, especially after ownership changes, with reports of care plans not being updated promptly, staff unfamiliar with individual needs, and call buttons sometimes left out of reach. Hygiene lapses, occasional soiling, and nutritional concerns surface in several accounts, alongside a few security incidents that raise questions about monitoring and resident safety. Some families also describe a leadership dynamic where the director of nursing can be harsh or callbacks are inconsistent, and private-pay dynamics are perceived to influence care decisions. For those requiring predictable, error-free management and robust security, other options may provide more consistent peace of mind.

Yet the strongest elements at Samaritan offset many of these concerns where it matters most. The rehab program delivers real mobility gains, with therapists who earn praise for effectiveness and for tailoring approaches to individual recovery goals. The activity team sustains a lively environment, music sessions, crafts, outings, and regular religious services, that keeps residents connected to life beyond the hallways. Staff kindness, accessibility, and consistent warmth repeatedly appear as differentiators, helping families feel confident in daily care and in the emotional well-being of their loved ones. Cleanliness and a welcoming reception add to a sense that the facility is well-run when operations are functioning smoothly, and the dementia/sub-acute/all-ages care continuum on a single campus is appreciated by families navigating changing needs. When leadership and frontline staff align, the overall experience becomes much more than a series of isolated good days.

However, the laundry list of negative experiences cannot be ignored. Several reviews describe serious lapses in basic care, including periods where hygiene and personal care were not adequately managed, resulting in soiled patients and related complications. Nutrition is another sore point in some cases, with comments about subpar meals and insufficient nutrient intake reflected in family reports. Understaffing appears in multiple accounts, translating into longer waits for assistance and, at times, unreliable call-button access. Security concerns, specifically theft of a resident’s purse, underscore a real risk that families must weigh against otherwise positive impressions. Some families found care plans not updated after changes in ownership, risking a mismatch between needs and services. Finally, a number of observers note a hospital-like atmosphere and leadership practices that feel reactive rather than proactive, creating a sense that not all residents’ needs are anticipated.

To make a smart decision, prospective residents should approach Samaritan with a disciplined checklist. Schedule multiple visits at different times to observe therapy sessions and ask to speak directly with the director of nursing and social workers about how they coordinate care. Request a current care plan sample and a ready history of updates to gauge responsiveness to evolving needs. Inspect the dining experience for taste, portion size, and dietary accommodations, ensuring there is a track record of nutritionally balanced meals. Probe staffing: obtain explicit information on caregiver-to-resident ratios, turnover, and response times on each shift, plus the safeguards in place for call buttons. Inquire about security measures and incident history, and request anecdotes from families who have navigated transitions between dementia, rehab, and long-term care. A candid conversation will reveal whether Samaritan’s strengths align with the care demands of a loved one’s particular condition.

Bottom line: Samaritan Health Center can be a highly practical, capable choice for families prioritizing rehabilitation outcomes, genuine staff warmth, and an activity-rich daily rhythm. For residents who thrive on a sense of community, meaningful engagement, and observable progress in mobility, the facility frequently delivers days that feel both productive and dignified. On the other hand, for households with a low tolerance for hygiene lapses, inconsistent staffing, or security concerns, alternative options with more uniform quality control and proactive oversight may be preferable. Enter with clear expectations, a plan for ongoing oversight, and concrete questions about care plans, nutrition, safety, and staff responsiveness. When the loved one’s needs align with Samaritan’s strengths, and a tolerance exists for occasional operational gaps, this campus offers a robust, compassionate environment that can support recovery, retention, and a renewed sense of independence.

This part of West Bend, Wisconsin offers a convenient location with a variety of amenities suited for senior living. With multiple physicians' offices and hospitals nearby, residents can easily access healthcare services. There are also several pharmacies in the area for prescription needs. The proximity to parks like Kilbourn Street Park and Lac Lawrann Conservancy provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisurely walks. Additionally, there are plenty of dining options including Collin's Deck Bar and Riverside Brewery & Restaurant, as well as cafes like Panera Bread and Starbucks for socializing with friends or family. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded community with essential services for seniors looking to settle down in a comfortable and accessible area.

Physicians

• Affiliated Clinical Services (0.5 miles)
• Henry N Ambrookian Jr DD (1.2 miles)
• Foot & Ankle Health Center (1.8 miles)
• West Bend Clinic - East (2 miles)
• West Bend Open Mri (2.2 miles)
• Advanced Pain Management (2.2 miles)
• Froedtert West Bend Surgery Center (2.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Collin's Deck Bar (0.6 miles)
• Riverside Brewery & Restaurant (0.6 miles)
• Casa Tequila (0.6 miles)
• Toucan Food & Custard (0.8 miles)
• George Webb Restaurants (1.2 miles)
• M & R Bar (1.2 miles)
• Little Caesars Pizza (1.3 miles)

Parks

• Kilbourn Street Park (0.6 miles)
• Lac Lawrann Conservancy (0.9 miles)
• Regner Park (1.1 miles)
• Decorah Hills Park (1.4 miles)
• Ziegler Park (1.4 miles)
• Rolf Dog Park (2 miles)
• Ridge Run County Park (2.3 miles)

Transportation

• Hertz Rent A Car (0.6 miles)
• West Bend Taxi (1.2 miles)
• Train Tracks (8.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Immanuel United Church of Christ (0.6 miles)
• New Life Church (4.6 miles)
• Peace United Church of Christ (7.1 miles)

Hospitals

• St Joseph's Hospital (1.2 miles)
• St Joseph's Community Hospital (1.3 miles)
• Froedtert West Bend Health Center (2.3 miles)
• Froedtert Jackson Health Center (7.2 miles)
• Integrated Repair & Information Services (8.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Shopko Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• West Bend Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Home Town Pharmacy (6.4 miles)
• Walgreens (7 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)