The Cottages at Cedar Run

Pros

• The Cottages are a beautiful facility.
• The staff is helpful and supportive.
• The staff members are extremely friendly and take good care of the residents.
• There are numerous daily activities and occasional field trips to keep residents busy.
• Residents appear to be genuinely happy there.

Cons

• The facility is described as backing out of contracts at the last possible minute.
• They canceled en route to West Bend and reposted the opening at a lower pay rate.
• The reviewers characterize the practices as dishonest and deceptive.
• They state they will never take another assignment there due to these practices.

Review

TRAVELING HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS: WARNING! This facility will back out of your contract at the last possible minute. While we were en route to West Bend, they decided to cancel and repost the opening at a lower rate of pay. We will never take another assignment here due to their dishonest and deceptive practices.

The message is stark and jarring for anyone who relies on predictable schedules and professional integrity in the world of traveling healthcare. In this account, the abrupt change came at the worst possible moment, just as plans were in motion and a shift was about to begin. The decision to cancel and then repost the opening with a reduced pay rate left the traveler not only out of work but also with a clear impression of dishonesty and deception. The wording used - calling the practices "dishonest and deceptive" - speaks to a deep breach of trust, one that has lasting implications for future assignments and for the confidence clinicians place in potential employers. The experience underscores how critical reliability, clear communication, and fair compensation are in these ongoing, mobile roles, where trust is the currency that keeps assignments moving smoothly and safely.

Against this cautionary backdrop, another picture emerges, one that centers on The Cottages - a facility described as beautiful and home-like. The reviewer notes that The Cottages are a beautiful facility, and adds a personal touch by revealing that both of their parents have been there. This dual parent reference suggests continuity of care and a longstanding familiarity with the setting, reinforcing a sense of stability. The observer also emphasizes the staff, describing them as helpful and supportive. That combination of a welcoming environment and a capable, caring team seems to have left a positive impression, painting a picture of a place where residents are tended to with attentiveness and where families feel their loved ones are in capable hands.

Further voice is given to the impression of The Cottages as a really nice facility. The description moves beyond aesthetics to the people who operate within it. The staff members are portrayed as extremely friendly, a quality that often shapes daily life in a care setting. This warmth is paired with competency, suggesting that residents receive not only kindness but also effective care. The emphasis on staff demeanor - friendly and attentive - helps to explain why families might feel reassured about their loved ones' well-being in this environment. When staff are consistently welcoming and professional, they set a tone of safety and belonging that can be hard to achieve in any care facility.

The narrative continues to highlight the daily rhythms of life at The Cottages, noting numerous daily activities and occasional field trips designed to keep residents engaged. The consistency of programs and opportunities for social interaction appear to be a cornerstone of the experience here. By offering a full slate of activities, the facility helps to mitigate boredom and promote a sense of purpose and involvement among residents. The inclusion of field trips also points to a capacity for community engagement and stimulating experiences beyond the walls of the facility, which can be especially meaningful for older adults seeking meaningful companionship and enrichment.

A telling moment emerges in the description of residents themselves: they appear to be genuinely happy there. The reviewer even underscores this observation by noting that their father is included in that sense of happiness. Such a detail - seeing a parent's happiness and sense of belonging - speaks to the quality of daily life at The Cottages. It's one thing to provide basic care; it's another to cultivate an environment where residents feel seen, valued, and content enough to express true satisfaction. The father's happiness serves as a poignant indicator that the care philosophy at The Cottages resonates with families and supports a positive quality of life for those living there.

Taken together, the contrasting experiences offer a broader reflection on the world of elder care and healthcare staffing. The initial warning about a traveling assignment - an incident of last-minute cancellation and downscaled pay - highlights the fragility that can accompany contingent work in this field. It is a call to prospective travelers to vet employers carefully, seek transparency in terms, and weigh reliability as heavily as compensation. In contrast, the experiences at The Cottages spotlight what a well-run, resident-centered facility can look like: a beautiful, welcoming environment paired with a warm, supportive staff, a robust calendar of activities, opportunities for exploration and socializing, and visible happiness among residents. Those elements - environment, staff culture, meaningful activities, and genuine resident well-being - together create a compelling portrait of quality care.

Ultimately, these accounts together suggest a guiding principle for families and professionals navigating elder care and staffing. Reliability, integrity, and transparent communication matter as much as the tangible aspects of care - cleanliness, safety, and activity programming. When choosing where to work or where to place a loved one, attention to how staff interact with residents, how flexible and fair an employer is, and how thoughtfully daily life is organized can be as decisive as the care protocols themselves. The Cottages embody the positive end of that spectrum, while the cautionary note about last-minute cancellations serves as a warning to stay vigilant about commitments, contracts, and the people who stand between good intentions and dependable care.

This part of West Bend, Wisconsin offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living needs. With several parks nearby such as Ridge Run County Park and Rolf Dog Park, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and leisurely walks. There are also multiple healthcare options including Aurora Advanced Healthcare and Froedtert West Bend Health Center for medical needs. In terms of dining, there are diverse options like Culver's and Qdoba Mexican Eats within a short distance. Additionally, pharmacies such as West Bend Pharmacy and Walgreens are conveniently located for medication needs. The area also features transportation services like West Bend Taxi for easy mobility. Places of worship like Immanuel United Church of Christ provide spiritual support, while cafes like Panera Bread offer spaces for socializing with friends or family. Overall, this neighborhood in West Bend offers a well-rounded environment for seniors seeking comfort, convenience, and community engagement.

Parks

• Ridge Run County Park (0.6 miles)
• Rolf Dog Park (1.2 miles)
• Decorah Hills Park (1.7 miles)
• Regner Park (2.1 miles)
• Kilbourn Street Park (2.5 miles)
• Ziegler Park (2.5 miles)
• Lac Lawrann Conservancy (3.1 miles)

Physicians

• Aurora Advanced Healthcare (0.9 miles)
• General Clinic (0.9 miles)
• West Bend Clinic (1.5 miles)
• Mielnicki Daniel Froedtert And The Medical College Of Wisconsin West Bend Health Center West Bend (1.5 miles)
• Froedtert West Bend Surgery Center (1.5 miles)
• Henry N Ambrookian Jr DD (1.6 miles)
• West Bend Open Mri (2 miles)

Restaurants

• Culver's (1.2 miles)
• Silver Lake Country Inn (1.4 miles)
• Little Caesars Pizza (1.7 miles)
• Qdoba Mexican Eats (2 miles)
• George Webb Restaurants (2.1 miles)
• Domino's Pizza (2.1 miles)
• Arby's (2.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• West Bend Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Shopko Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Aurora Pharmacy (6.4 miles)
• Walgreens (6.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Froedtert West Bend Health Center (1.5 miles)
• St Joseph's Community Hospital (1.5 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital (1.6 miles)
• Froedtert Jackson Health Center (6.4 miles)
• Integrated Repair & Information Services (6.7 miles)
• Hartford Memorial Hospital (9.5 miles)
• Aurora Medical Center (9.5 miles)

Transportation

• West Bend Taxi (1.6 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (2.2 miles)
• Train Tracks (6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Immanuel United Church of Christ (2.1 miles)
• New Life Church (4 miles)
• Peace United Church of Christ (7.6 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (9.2 miles)