459 East First Street, Fond Du Lac, WI 54935
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Harbor Haven Health & Rehabilitation
Pros
Harbor Haven is described as absolutely the best, with comfortable rooms and staff who go above and beyond.- The staff are phenomenal and consistently available to assist with bathroom and shower needs.
- The rehab team is phenomenal.
- The facility treats patients to thoughtful gifts and a brunch, reflecting considerate care.
- Harbor Haven has been wonderful through Covid-19, with praised care for loved ones.
- Harbor Haven is a gem with top-rate staff, accommodations, and meals.
Cons
The staff called the patient without identifying why.- Christie was rude and reluctant to identify herself and was bizarre and nasty about it.
- The reviewer wouldn’t want these people taking care of elderly and other vulnerable populations.
- The facility is terrible.
- The facility lied to patients multiple times.
- Staff yelled at patients.
- They blackmail patients into taking medications and take away privileges if they refuse.
- A doctor and a nurse practitioner were busted for selling medications.
- The facility appeared understaffed, resulting in poor care.
- The reviewer would not recommend the place to anyone.
- The two-week stay did not provide showers or baths; staff often failed to assist in time, with waits around 30 minutes.
- The facility failed to properly manage the husband’s diabetes, contributing to his death.
Review
Harbor Haven Health & Rehabilitation in Fond du Lac is best suited for families seeking solid short-term rehabilitation with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The community earns strong marks for comfortable rooms, enjoyable meals, and a rehab program that many residents and families find exceptionally competent. It works best when the priority is regaining mobility quickly with hands-on therapy and friendly, responsive staff. It is less appropriate for those who require constant, flawless oversight and highly consistent day-to-day caregiving across all shifts.
That clarity matters because a segment of families should consider alternatives. The downsides repeatedly echoed by reviewers point to staffing gaps and uneven care delivery. Prospective residents who cannot tolerate routine delays in assistance, or who require steady, round-the-clock supervision, should look elsewhere. Those with concerns about medication management, or past experiences where staff conduct or professionalism fell short, may find Harbor Haven insufficiently aligned with their expectations for ongoing, highly reliable custodial care.
On the upside, the strongest positives center on the rehab and the people delivering care. Several reviewers describe the therapy team as phenomenal and note that staff across floors genuinely go above and beyond. The second-floor rehab experience, in particular, is highlighted for responsiveness and effectiveness, with patients reporting meaningful gains and supportive, attentive therapists. The overall environment, whether during a stay for a knee replacement or a stroke recovery, often feels practical and encouraging, with tangible signs that residents are treated with kindness and respect.
The most troubling threads run counter to those positives. Multiple accounts describe understaffing that leads to infrequent assistance, long waits, and a sense that care is inconsistent. Some reviewers allege episodes of poor communication, disconnection among staff, and even confrontational or coercive approaches to care. There are serious claims about medication handling and a past incident involving diabetes management that tragically affected a resident’s health. While not universal, these reports create real risk for families prioritizing dependable daily oversight and flawless medical governance.
With the strength of the rehab program and caring atmosphere in mind, Harbor Haven offsets many concerns for families prioritizing recovery outcomes and a humane, less institutional feel. The care quality in therapy and the evident warmth of some staff can make a meaningful difference in function and mood during a stay. However, the gaps around staffing consistency and the severity of some safety and medication-management concerns cannot be ignored. The facility increasingly feels like a good fit for short-term, goal-driven rehab when the expected caregiving load can be managed with clear, proactive communication and specific staff assignments.
In the end, Harbor Haven is a solid choice for families who want strong rehabilitation, a comfortable setting, and a compassionate team that can deliver noticeable mobility gains. It is not the best fit for those who require unwavering, uninterrupted daily care and impeccable, uniformly consistent staffing. Before deciding, visit the community with questions ready for leadership: ask about current staffing ratios, exact med-management policies, how shifts are covered during peak times, and how they track and respond to concerns about care. If those assurances can be obtained and demonstrated, Harbor Haven becomes a credible, even favorable, option for short-term rehab. If not, pursuing alternatives with verifiable staffing stability and tighter clinical oversight is prudent.
85 resident community capacity
Skilled Nursing Facility
Air-conditioning
Beauty salon
Cable or satellite TV
Computer center
Dining room
Fitness room
Fully furnished
Gaming room
Garden
Housekeeping services
Kitchenette
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Private bathrooms
Restaurant-style dining
Small library
Telephone
Wellness center
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
Community operated transportation
12-16 hour nursing
24-hour call system
Activities of daily living assistance
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Medication management
Mental wellness program
Special dietary restrictions
Concierge services
Planned day trips
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