1700 Midway Road, Menasha, WI 54952
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Oakridge Gardens Nursing Center
Pros
The CNAs and other care staff are described as very nice and caring.- The hair and nails team is very sweet.
- The nurses who show compassion, love, and care deserve five stars.
- The physical therapy and occupational therapy teams are great and help residents regain strength to resume independent living.
- Staff across departments answer questions and keep families informed about progress.
- The rooms are kept clean and clothes are washed and returned.
- The resident enjoys the food.
- Initial impressions were positive for a 93-year-old mom.
Cons
Management yelled at residents for requesting paper as if they were going to steal it.- CNAs consistently leave bags in the hallway after changes, and the area smells atrocious.
- The facility gave a resident 17 medications that belonged to another patient, contributing to decline and death.
- The nursing director suggested expediting discharge rather than following the GP’s orders.
- The mother was treated like dirt at Oakridge, with staff seeming more concerned about benefits than rehabilitation.
- The mother was discharged without essential medical supplies or a suitable lift sling, because staff didn’t want to deal with her.
- Discharge ignored orders to change the nephrostomy tube, resulting in an ER visit soon after.
- Becky Perry, the admission coordinator, was described as rude, unprofessional, uninformed, inconsiderate, and a liar.
Review
Oakridge Gardens Nursing Center in Menasha is best suited for families seeking a rehab-focused stay where the priority is physical therapy and practical daily living support, and where vigilant family oversight can compensate for uneven management. In other words, it can serve as a workable path for short-term recovery when a senior needs moderate help regaining strength, provided there is constant family engagement to monitor care, medications, and discharge plans. It is not a strong fit for residents who require consistently reliable medical oversight, rigorous safety protections, or a uniformly high level of daily attentiveness over the long term.
Those contemplating alternatives should note that Oakridge Gardens shows significant red flags for several high-stakes needs. For anyone prioritizing dependable medication management, prompt call-bell response, and seamless discharge planning, this facility is not reliable enough to count on without persistent advocacy. Families seeking a culture of patient autonomy, transparent communication, and consistent cleanliness across rooms should look elsewhere. The pattern of management friction, mixed staffing reliability, and occasional neglect in essential tasks makes it risky for longer-term placement or for residents with fragile or complex medical conditions.
The few recurring positives are not trivial, but they are narrowly scoped. The strongest consistently cited strength is the care delivered by nurses who demonstrate compassion and warmth when the agency and administration allow them the space to do so. Physical therapy and occupational therapy staff can be solid, even excellent, at getting a patient back on their feet and back to independence when the patient is a good rehab candidate and the schedule is adhered to. Some front-line staff, hairdressers, nail technicians, and housekeeping, are described as friendly and attentive, and a well-looked-after resident can feel personally respected by these teams. These elements matter, but they do not compensate for systemic gaps that permeate the facility.
Where the main concerns cluster, they are severe and persistent. Reviewers report management that can feel punitive or obstructive, with episodes of miscommunication and a sense that administrative priorities trump patient-centered care. Medication management stands out as a major risk: instances of inappropriate med administration, or discharge with meds that did not belong to the patient, have led to serious consequences. Discharge planning frequently falls short, homes are left without necessary supplies or proper equipment, and crucial changes such as a nephrostomy tube are not reliably coordinated. The result is avoidable ER visits and avoidable stress for families and residents alike. Call bells can go unanswered for extended periods, sometimes hours; bedding and room cleanliness are not guaranteed, and experiences of neglect in basic daily care are a recurring theme in multiple accounts. These patterns paint a picture of a facility where care quality can fluctuate dramatically by shift, supervisor, or day.
For families making a decision today, the practical takeaway is clear. If choosing Oakridge Gardens, insist on concrete safeguards: a robust, regularly updated care plan with explicit medication reconciliation processes; written expectations for call-light response times and daily rounding by nursing leadership; guaranteed daily housekeeping and linen service; and a clear, testable discharge plan that coordinates home medical equipment, supplies, and transportation. Demand direct access to the nursing director or DON, and require evidence of staffing levels that align with resident needs on each shift. When possible, observe a shift change to gauge how communication and handoffs are managed. Bring in an outside advocate if the care needs are high, and consider trial periods to evaluate whether the facility can consistently meet essential standards before committing to longer-term placement.
Ultimately, the verdict is decisive. Oakridge Gardens can be a reasonable choice for short-term rehab when there is strong family involvement and a clear, workable plan for oversight. It is not a reliable option for residents who require steady, high-level medical management, consistently prompt responses to care needs, or consistently clean and safe daily environments. For those with serious safety concerns or complex medical routines, exploring alternatives with stronger staffing ratios, tighter management controls, and a proven track record of reliable care is prudent. Home health support or a different facility with demonstrated consistency may be the wiser path for peace of mind and long-term stability.
108 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
Outagamie County Regional (6 miles away)
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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