Willow Ridge Inc in Amery, WI

Pros

• The staff provides the best care to residents, and families appreciate them wholeheartedly.
• Staffing has improved and there is strong teamwork.
• Management is top-notch.
• Christina, the Activities Director, is a ray of sunshine and offers a wide range of activities.
• The staff is wonderful and truly cares for each patient.
• They meet residents at their level and work within their abilities.
• It is described as an amazing place where residents are well treated.
• A long-term resident’s family reports that their loved one is comfortable there.

Cons

• They wouldn’t bring their dog there.
• It was terrible.
• They were trying to move their aunt out due to a huge lack of communication and lies from staff.
• All the clothes and the blanket they brought for their aunt disappeared, and other residents wore her clothes.
• They were told their aunt’s name was put on all her clothes.
• They experienced discrimination and profiling; they were micromanaged and criticized for trivial things.
• The administrator told other workers not to work with them, and they had to leave early because of the uncomfortable experience.
• There were underaged workers using lifts.
• They were repeatedly accused of lies and cut off when trying to defend themselves.
• The facility should be investigated.
• There was no diversity; minorities were targeted with lies to get them fired.
• A nurse mistreated patients, cursed them out, and tried to send them to a behavioral center.
• Nurse Gale didn’t like minorities and complained about others doing their job; lies were used to target minority staff.
• Some patients were left in pain for hours with no response.
• The place was horrible; there was not enough care, poor pain management, no ROM treatment, isolation after doctor visits, inability to shower, no air conditioning, and supply shortages.

Review

Willow Ridge Inc in Amery, WI is best suited for families that can tolerate uneven day-to-day experience and want a place where social activities and personal attention from some staff members shine through, provided there is active family engagement and ongoing communication with management. The strongest positives come from residents who connect with the people who are there, and from a culture that values activities and approachable staff. This community can feel welcoming on good days, especially when the administrator is responsive and the activities director creates a steady stream of engaging options. It is not a solid fit for families seeking a consistently high-caliber, risk-free environment with uniform staffing and indisputable rights protection.

Some reviews highlight genuine care where staff meet residents at their level and tailor care to individual abilities. The positive experiences frequently point to a would-be collaborative atmosphere, with reports of better teamwork and a sense that management is actively involved. For families who prize social engagement, having an activities director who brings a radiant, dependable presence can be a meaningful benefit. Where these elements exist, residents may enjoy regular programming, moments of connection, and a feeling of being seen. In short, the community can deliver meaningful quality-of-life moments when staffing alignment and leadership are functioning well.

But the drawbacks are severe and recurrent, and those realities cannot be ignored. Multiple accounts allege discrimination and profiling, with residents, caregivers, and travelers reporting unfair treatment and a hostile environment for staff and patients alike. Complaints describe prolonged neglect, delayed responses to needs, and a pattern of inertia that raises serious safety concerns. Stories of patients left in distress, inadequate pain and oral care, isolation after doctor visits, and insufficient medical attention create a climate where trust in the level of care is undermined. Claims of racism and a lack of diverse, respectful treatment weigh heavily against the overall appeal of engagement and warmth in other moments.

The most troubling tension is the disconnect between the occasional, genuine care described by some families and the persistent, high-risk failures cited in many reviews. When staffing is inconsistent and frontline workers are overwhelmed or discouraged by management practices, the pros cannot reliably offset the cons. The risk profile shifts: even if activities and personal interactions feel uplifting at times, residents are exposed to potential harm from delayed care, insufficient staffing, and unaddressed rights violations. In such a landscape, the positive anecdotes lose some of their impact because safety, dignity, and predictable quality become the baseline expectation rather than the exception.

For families considering Willow Ridge, a careful, objective due-diligence plan is essential. A tour should include time with frontline caregivers, not just administrators, to gauge responsiveness and demeanor. Inquiries should cover staff-to-resident ratios at different shifts, how discrimination complaints are handled, the process for reporting and resolving concerns, and a clear track record of corrective action. Request recent survey results, ombudsman notes, and copies of any corrective action plans. Discuss with the administrator how turnover is addressed, what training programs exist, and how residents’ rights are protected during all shifts. If the family cannot secure transparent assurances on these points, alternative communities with documented higher consistency and stronger anti-discrimination culture should be prioritized.

The bottom-line recommendation is candid: Willow Ridge can deliver meaningful moments and genuine warmth in the hands of a stable, well-supervised team. However, the frequency and severity of reports concerning neglect, discrimination, and safety lapses create a level of risk that families must weigh heavily. For anyone with significant medical or behavioral needs requiring unwavering, proactive care, or for those who cannot tolerate potential mistreatment or inconsistent staffing, alternatives with a stronger track record of safety, equity, and reliable oversight are strongly advised. This community can work for the right resident, but only where proactive governance, continuous staff development, and rigorous accountability are in place and demonstrable.

This part of Amery, Wisconsin offers a variety of amenities within close proximity, making it a convenient and accessible location for senior living. With two hospitals nearby, residents have access to quality healthcare services. The area also boasts a selection of restaurants, cafes, and pharmacies for dining and medication needs. Nearby parks provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Several places of worship are available for spiritual nourishment and community engagement. Additionally, transportation options such as U-Haul services are easily accessible for errands or travel needs. Overall, this part of Amery provides a blend of essential services and recreational opportunities that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable living environment.

Hospitals

• Amery Regional Medical Center (0.2 miles)
• Amery Regional Medical Center (0.6 miles)
• Longhorn Cafe (8.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Amery Family Restaurant (0.5 miles)
• Subway (0.6 miles)
• Tac Two Sports Bar & Grill (0.8 miles)
• Alibi Bar (0.8 miles)
• Farm Table Foundation (0.8 miles)
• Ellie's Ice Cream & Coffee (0.9 miles)
• Birch Street Bar (0.9 miles)

Cafes

• Dick's Fresh Cafe (0.7 miles)
• Westside Cafe (5.5 miles)
• Jewelltown Roastery (10.7 miles)
• Hopsack (11.1 miles)
• Not Justa Cafe (14.3 miles)

Parks

• Michael's Park (0.7 miles)
• D. D. Kennedy Park (6.8 miles)
• Wisconsin Interstate State Park (15 miles)

Places of Worship

• United Church of Christ (0.8 miles)
• Congregational Church Ucc (0.8 miles)
• NUIC Parish (3.3 miles)
• East Immanuel Lutheran Church (4.7 miles)
• First Lutheran Church (5.9 miles)
• Grace Lutheran Church (6.1 miles)
• St Johns Catholic Church (6.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Chet Johnson Drug (0.9 miles)
• Melin Pharmacy (11 miles)
• Balsam Lake Pharmacy (11 miles)
• Ellies Wraps (11.3 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (13.2 miles)
• Unity Pharmacy (13.4 miles)
• Herb'n Farm & Apothecary (13.6 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (5.5 miles)
• U-Haul (8.1 miles)
• U-Haul (11.6 miles)
• Dresser Depot (13.3 miles)
• Hencks All Season Taxidermy (13.3 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (14.9 miles)

Physicians

• St Eroix Orthopaedic Clinci (12.5 miles)
• Turtle Lake Medical Clinic (12.5 miles)

Theaters

• Old Gem Theater (14.8 miles)