Willow Ridge Inc

Pros

• The staff provided the best care to residents, which was wholeheartedly appreciated by their families.
• The facility is described as amazing and as treating residents well.
• The staff are wonderful and truly care for each patient; Christina, the Activities Director, is a ray of sunshine and offers a variety of activities.
• A family member noted that their relative loves living there and that the staff meet residents at their level and work within their abilities.
• A long-term resident reports comfort and stability being in the facility for over a year.

Cons

• The reviewer notes a huge lack of communication and alleges staff lied.
• All clothes and the blanket brought for the aunt disappeared, and residents were seen wearing them.
• A Black traveler reports a horrible experience of discrimination and profiling, with micromanagement and punitive treatment for downtime.
• The administrator allegedly told other workers not to work with the reviewer, contributing to an uncomfortable work environment.
• The facility is accused of racism and discrimination, with claims of minorities being mistreated, cursed at, and pushed toward a behavioral center.
• There are claims of left patients to die without proper comfort care and of overall poor patient care due to short staffing.
• A patient was left in pain for five hours with no response, leading to involvement of the state ombudsman and police.
• Basic care is described as inadequate: lack of oral care, poor pain management, isolation after doctor visits, inability to take a shower, no air conditioning, and shortages of patient supplies.

Review

A single set of reviews paints a picture of a facility that inspires wildly divergent experiences. On one side, families describe a place where some residents receive genuine, hands-on care and where individual staff members and even entire teams seem to rally around a resident's needs. They point to caring moments, dedicated employees, and management that, in their view, handles day-to-day operations with competence and teamwork. They mention a particular Activities Director named Christina as a bright, cheerful presence who offers a broad menu of activities - from bingo and dice games to art projects - that helps keep residents engaged. In these accounts, some families are grateful that their loved ones receive compassionate attention and feel that the staff ultimately treats people with respect at the level of care they can achieve given the setting.

However, alongside these hopeful notes there is a chorus of strongly negative experiences that cannot be ignored. Several reviewers recount a troubling pattern of miscommunication and alleged deception by staff, with one family alleging that clothes and a blanket brought for a relative vanished and reappeared in the possession of other residents. They claim that staff later "put their aunt's name on all her clothes" as if to cover the mix-up, and they describe a sense that responsible parties were not forthcoming about what happened. This concern about communication - and about trust more broadly - recurs in other stories as well, with complaints that staff did not keep families properly informed and that attempts to raise concerns were met with resistance or dismissal.

Discrimination and safety concerns appear prominently in multiple testimonials. A number of reviewers describe racism and profiling, including accounts from travelers who felt singled out or harassed because of race. Some describe feeling micromanaged, punished for minor infractions, or cut off when trying to document or challenge what they experienced. There are specific claims of an administrator allegedly telling other workers not to collaborate with certain staff members, and one CNA recounts finishing a contract only after enduring a highly uncomfortable experience dictated by what they viewed as discriminatory practices. The accounts also describe problematic labor practices, including alleged underage workers operating lifts, all of which add to a broader sense that oversight and adherence to standards may be uneven.

Other reviews focus on severe gaps in the basic quality of care. There are mentions of residents left in pain or isolation for extended periods, with one account describing being left in a room for hours and even needing to involve state authorities to obtain assistance. Complaints about pain management, oral care, and routine medical or ROM (range of motion) treatment recurrences appear in several narratives. Some reviewers say that patients are not showered regularly, that air conditioning is lacking, and that basic supplies run short, with residents or their families providing some items themselves to bridge the gaps. One review even describes a period of isolation following doctor visits that extended for two weeks, highlighting a perception of inadequate, inconsistent, or delayed care that left families deeply unsettled.

The most troubling voices emphasize a perception of systemic failings rather than isolated incidents. Several describe a lack of diversity and an impression that minority residents are targeted or treated unfairly. With phrases such as "no diversity" and claims that staff make up or repeat accusations to cause certain residents to be fired, these accounts suggest an environment where bias may influence decision-making. There are specific accusations about individual staff members - names like Brenda and Gale are called out by reviewers who allege mistreatment and discriminatory behavior - along with warnings that such conduct has led to wrongful disciplinary actions or reduced opportunities for those who speak up. Some reviewers even call for formal investigations or action by external bodies, including mentions of the EEOC.

Yet other posts present a more moderate or mixed perspective. A few reviewers insist that Medicare ratings or external reviews paint an unfairly negative picture, arguing that the facility does good work and that their own relatives have thrived there. They describe staff who are responsive and supportive, and they emphasize experiences where residents are treated with dignity and respect. In these voices, the facility is framed as a place with both strengths and weaknesses - where genuine care can coexist with serious systemic issues, and where improvement is a continual process rather than a finished product.

In sum, the experiences conveyed across these reviews are not uniform. Some families celebrate compassionate, person-centered care and an engaged, collaborative staff culture, along with moments of joy and meaningful activities led by dedicated individuals like Christina. Other families recount troubling lapses in communication, alleged discrimination, unsafe or neglectful conditions, and a sense that the facility is not consistently up to the standards residents deserve. The stories touch on theft and mismanagement, underage labor concerns, and frustration with oversight, while at the same time acknowledging that not every staff member or shift is problematic and that some residents do appear comfortable and well cared for. The overall impression is a facility that operates with a real potential for strong, empathetic care but is simultaneously hampered by serious gaps in communication, equity, staffing, and consistent quality of care. For anyone considering placement there, the recurring message is to approach with caution, seek out firsthand impressions from multiple sources, and insist on clear, ongoing communication and documented care plans to help ensure that loved ones receive the attention and respect they deserve.

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)