Golden LivingCenter - Florence

Pros

• Marquette is a place where people care.
• There are people who care at Marquette.

Cons

• The reviewer is appalled that the sister was allowed only one shower per week.
• An ankle bracelet was placed for 2-3 months, which is described as unacceptable.
• They feel the care was improper and that accountability was lacking.
• They were told the sister would be taken shopping, but that never happened.
• Three months passed without a schedule being arranged.

Review

My sister's experience in care has left me outraged and focused on getting real answers and better treatment for her. The core of my frustration comes from watching someone I care about be treated in ways that feel demeaning and arbitrary, rather than with dignity and consistent, compassionate attention. It's hard to shake the feeling that her needs were not being put first, and that the routine of care was more about policy than about people.

One of the most upsetting aspects was the decision that she would be allowed only one shower a week. It sounds small, but it has huge implications for her hygiene, comfort, and self-respect. Being told she could rinse off only once in seven days is not merely inconvenient; it feels like a failure to treat her with basic human dignity. The routine of daily care should support wellbeing, yet this limit made every week a reminder that her basic needs were not prioritized or respected in the way I would expect from a place caring for vulnerable people.

Another painful element was the use of an ankle bracelet to monitor her for a period of two to three months. To me, that approach suggests a level of confinement that I did not understand as necessary for her safety or care. Framing it as a routine step in her treatment felt wrong, and describing it as acceptable simply because it was supposed to be for a limited time only did little to ease my concerns. It felt restrictive and invasive, and I branded it as unacceptable for someone who deserves autonomy and a humane, supportive environment.

Promises that were never kept added another layer of disappointment. I was told that she would be taken shopping, an outing that any person would look forward to as a sign of normalcy and engagement outside the routine of care. Instead, that plan never materialized. The repeated assurances of activities that never happened eroded trust and made daily life feel more transactional than caring. When commitments are made but not followed through, it's hard to believe in the people responsible for her wellbeing.

The ongoing scheduling problems over a period of three months are another troubling detail. For three months, the staff could not seem to get a proper schedule together, leaving her routine in limbo and leaving my family members and me in a constant state of uncertainty. Not knowing what to expect day to day, or whether her needs would be addressed in a timely way, undermines any sense of stability and safety we hoped for in a caregiving environment. It's not just about missed appointments; it's about the repeated impression that her care was reactive rather than thoughtfully organized.

All of these issues culminated in a decisive turn for her future: she was transferred to Marquette, a place I saw as a real change in atmosphere - one where people care. The move represents more than a change of address; it reflects a shift toward a care environment that prioritizes attentiveness, respect, and dependable engagement with residents. It's a relief to move away from practices that felt coercive or neglectful and toward a setting where compassion and consistent care seem to be the guiding principles.

In the end, this experience has underscored for me how essential it is that care facilities uphold basic standards of dignity, reliability, and accountability. When basic needs - like hygiene and routine, meaningful activities, and timely, respectful scheduling - are neglected, it changes everything for the person receiving care and for the family entrusting that care. I hope sharing these observations encourages better oversight, clearer commitments, and a culture that values every resident as a person deserving consistent, genuine care.

Located in Florence, Wisconsin, this area offers a variety of amenities suited for senior living. With parks such as Wild Rivers Interpretive Center and Upper Peninsula Vietnam Veterans Memorial nearby, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Places of worship like Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Homestead Baptist Church provide spiritual support within the community. Pharmacies such as Florence Prescription Services and Walgreens are conveniently located for easy access to medications. Additionally, healthcare services from facilities like Dickinson Family Practice Center and VA Medical Center ensure that seniors have access to quality medical care. Various dining options including Barb's Cafe and Village Inn offer a diverse range of choices for meals. Transportation options like Delta Connection Kingsford and Tri-City Cab make it easy to get around the area. Overall, this part of Florence provides a well-rounded environment for seniors looking to settle down in a peaceful and supportive community.

Parks

• Wild Rivers Interpretive Center (0.2 miles)
• Stager Lake Park (5.8 miles)
• Upper Peninsula Vietnam Veterans Memorial (9.9 miles)
• Cowboy Lake Park (10.1 miles)
• Iron Mountain Park (10.7 miles)
• Dawson Lake Park (10.9 miles)
• Ford Park (11.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Bethlehem Lutheran Church (0.2 miles)
• Homestead Baptist Church (8 miles)
• Jehovah's Witnesses (11.3 miles)
• Of The Liturgy Missionaries (11.3 miles)
• Good News Church (11.3 miles)
• Trinity United Methodist Church (11.6 miles)
• Maranatha Messengers (11.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Barb's Cafe (0.2 miles)
• Ice Cream Shoppe (0.3 miles)
• Gina Marie's (5.6 miles)
• Leff's Sports Bar & Grill (6.4 miles)
• Pasty Oven (6.6 miles)
• Village Inn (10.3 miles)
• Subway (11.1 miles)

Physicians

• Tri-County Communication Services Incorporated (0.2 miles)
• Northern Eye Care Associates, PC (11.1 miles)
• Urology Associates of Green Bay (11.3 miles)
• Henke Douglas, MD (11.3 miles)
• Iron Mountain Vein (11.3 miles)
• Dickinson Neurology Associates (11.5 miles)
• Shopko Optical (11.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Florence Prescription Services (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (11.8 miles)
• The Drug Store (11.9 miles)
• Super One Foods (12 miles)
• Shopko Pharmacy (12.1 miles)

Cafes

• Steamin Joe Coffeehouse (0.3 miles)
• Moose-Jackson Cafe (11.6 miles)
• B's Country Cafe & Catering (11.6 miles)
• Contrast Coffee (11.8 miles)
• Neu Cup (12.1 miles)
• Coffee Caboose (12.3 miles)
• Edelweiss Coffee (12.7 miles)

Transportation

• Delta Connection Kingsford (9.9 miles)
• Tri-City Cab (11.5 miles)
• Tri-City Cab (11.6 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (11.8 miles)
• Champ's Taxidermy & Firearms (12.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Freemans Convalescent Home (11.1 miles)
• Dickinson Family Practice Center (11.7 miles)
• Marquette General Hospital (11.9 miles)
• US Department of Veterans Affairs (12 miles)
• VA Medical Center (12.1 miles)
• Oscar G Johnson VA Medical Center (12.1 miles)
• United States Veterans Hospital (12.1 miles)