1451 Cleveland Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Virginia Health And Rehab Center
Pros
The staff were incredibly sweet and accommodating.- The essentials of residents' rooms seemed functional.
Cons
The facility is dated and understaffed.- The staff are useless and treat residents terribly.
- The facility loses medications due to poor communication and short-staffing.
- Residents leave with sores from inadequate care.
- The staff steal from residents and the facility refuses to replace stolen items.
- The director fails to ensure adequate staffing and takes no responsibility for staff actions.
- Residents' requests for help go unanswered, and medications are administered without permission.
- The facility is filthy and the rooms are old and drab, with non-working TVs and an unmanned front desk.
Review
This community is best suited for families who are price-conscious and can supervise care closely for a loved one who requires relatively low daily support. The facility’s aging physical plant and evident staffing gaps make it workable only if strong external oversight and active family involvement are in place. Those seeking modern amenities, consistently responsive staff, and reliable medical coordination will find the experience lacking. For most families, this should not be the primary choice. Alternatives to consider include other local nursing homes with stronger staffing profiles, more up-to-date facilities, and cleaner environments, or shifting to in-home care or an assisted-living setting with higher care standards.
On the ground, the defining flaw is a persistent combination of neglect and underinvestment. The building feels dated, with drab hallways and aging infrastructure that should have been upgraded years ago. Staffing is routinely described as insufficient, leaving frontline responders delayed and basic needs unmet. Residents encounter odors, dirty facilities, and equipment that malfunctions, all of which erode dignity and safety. Management is repeatedly cited as slow to address problems, with front desk and nurse coverage inconsistent and questions left unanswered. In short, basic comfort and security are undermined by maintenance and staffing deficiencies.
The sole clear positive is the care team’s kindness, the staff who can be found are frequently described as sweet and accommodating. Yet that partial virtue does not offset the larger issues: medication missteps, lost supplies, and inconsistent medical follow-up. Several accounts describe missed doses, miscommunication about prescriptions, and situations where doctors respond only after repeated prompting. In environments like this, sincere staff can struggle to compensate for systemic weaknesses when leadership signals that budget constraints trump resident welfare. The goodwill of workers matters, but it cannot neutralize chronic operational gaps.
If choosing to proceed, concrete safeguards are essential. Demand a formal, written care plan with daily task assignments, medication administration protocols, and explicit escalation steps. Seek regular, visible nursing presence and insist on prompt responses to resident requests. Audit the handling of personal belongings and require accountability for any losses or damage, with timely replacements when warranted. Schedule periodic reviews with the medical director and insist on timely doctor responses. Document every incident and retain records; without vigilant oversight, the risk of recurring lapses remains unacceptably high.
Given the persistent pattern of understaffing, neglect, and environmental decline, this facility represents a high-risk choice for most seniors, especially those with higher care needs. Families should actively explore alternatives and pursue tours and references at competing facilities that demonstrate reliable staffing, clean spaces, and transparent governance. In many cases, home health or a more robust assisted-living option will deliver safer, more respectful daily life without the same risk profile. If staying is unavoidable due to limited options, enter with a defined plan and contingencies for rapid changes in care level.
Bottom line: Virginia Health And Rehab Center should be viewed as a last-resort option when other local facilities are unaffordable or unavailable. The overall experience is defined by dated surroundings, chronic understaffing, and care lapses, with only a handful of kind personnel offering light in an otherwise dim picture. For decision-makers, the prudent path is to prioritize facilities with proven staffing stability, modern upkeep, and robust oversight, and to pursue alternative care arrangements that deliver reliability, safety, and dignity for a loved one.
105 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
General Mitchell International (17 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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