Page 18 of Best Independent Living in Wisconsin

Overview of The Courtyard at Sussex Cbrf

The Courtyard at Sussex Cbrf is a community-based residential community in Sussex, Wisconsin, located in Waukesha County, offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. Operated by Sussex Assisted Living LLC and licensed in May 2023, it is a relatively new option in the local senior living market with about two years of experience. The community includes 58 licensed beds and currently operates at approximately 86% occupancy, which suggests limited availability and strong local demand.

The community provides a full range of care, from independent living through memory care, supported by 24-hour staffing and respite care services. This structure is well-suited for seniors whose needs may evolve over time, as well as for families planning for future care transitions. Amenities contribute to an elevated residential experience, including a fitness center, movie theater, library, business center, valet services, and transportation options, setting it apart from many similarly sized communities in the area.

Inspection records from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services show six inspections to date, all initiated by complaints, and have earned a total of 16 deficiencies. The most recent inspection in August 2025 identified 4 deficiencies, which is below the Wisconsin average of 12. Families conducting thorough research may want to review detailed inspection reports to better understand these findings and any corrective actions taken.

The Courtyard at Sussex Cbrf is a strong option for seniors in Sussex, Waukesha County, and the western Milwaukee metro area who are looking for a newer, amenity-rich community with multiple levels of care. Its high occupancy rate reflects consistent interest from residents and families in the area.

Willowick is a senior living community in Janesville, Wisconsin, offering a continuum of care to those in Rock County. With nearly 8 years of operational excellence in southern Wisconsin, the community is operated by Willowick Assisted Living Janesville LLC and has been certified since August 2017. Promoting a more attentive, relationship-centered care, the community is licensed with 32 beds, which is comparably smaller than other communities.

Families seeking a personalized transition may find this community appealing, as it has 17 out of 32 beds occupied, suggesting a 53% occupancy rate, which is below the state average. Through unannounced onsite surveys by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Quality Assurance, families can rest assured that the community complies with state and federal health and safety standards. The community has been inspected 6 times, of which 2 were routine inspections, and 4 are complaint-driven. Based on the most recent visit, which was a complaint investigation, dated September 24, 2025, 3 deficiencies are cited. Notably, throughout the community’s inspection history, the reported deficiency count is relatively low.

As part of a network of communities under the brand, the community follows a structured care philosophy and operational standards across different locations. Along with 24-hour staffing that consists of licensed nurses and CNAs, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing services are also provided. With its commitment to fostering genuine connections alongside high-quality services, the community provides care beyond clinical needs that appeals to those seeking a social and more laid-back environment.

Older adults and families who seek a more intimate setting may find Willowick as an ideal option, especially with its realistic staff-to-resident ratio. The community is also a practical choice for those seeking long-term placements, as it has a continuum of care option, ranging from independent living to nursing services.

Overview of Christian Community Home of Osceola

Christian Community Home of Osceola., is a 40-bed skilled nursing home in Osceola, Wisconsin. It’s set close to Osceola Medical Center and located in a moderately walkable neighborhood where some errands can be finished on foot. Owned by Rick Hagar, the home accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, providing families with many pathways to cover rehabilitation and longer-term care.

The home’s focus is post-acute rehabilitation and transitional care. Averaging a stay length of 92 days, the facility serves residents in the early phase of recovery and those moving into longer-term nursing care. The home runs a dedicated transitional care and rehabilitation program alongside respite care, so families facing a momentary need for skilled care can tap that service without having an extended stay. Total nursing care averages roughly 4 hours and 58 minutes per resident day, delivering consistent hands-on support 24/7. Daily life centers on three restaurant-style meals with numerous menu options and assistance with eating, so meals are adapted to individual preferences and needs. Beyond that, the home offers a robust support services list, including IV therapy, wound care, and daily medication management. A registered dietitian exists for consultation, helping tailor nutrition plans to specific health conditions or restrictions. The amenities emphasize wellness and community engagement. Residents have access to a wellness gym and restorative health programming to regain or maintain function. A spa room provides relaxation, and life enrichment programming keeps the daily rhythm active. The home sits within a home-like neighborhood setting and includes enclosed courtyards, plus a playground for multi-generational interaction when families visit. Housekeeping, laundry, spiritual care, and hospice services complement the day-to-day support. Clinical needs can be addressed quickly without leaving the campus through an emergency call system, customized care plans, and a direct connection to the adjoining medical center.

Overview of Serenity Spring Senior Living at Scandia Village

Serenity Spring Senior Living at Scandia Village is a 50-bed skilled nursing facility at 10560 Applewood Road in Sister Bay, Door County, Wisconsin. Part of the Scandia Village Continuing Care Retirement Community campus, the facility is administered by Katherine Casey and operated by Sister Bay SNF Opco LLC as a for-profit limited liability company. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, with 70 percent of the current residents funded privately.

CMS rates Serenity Spring Senior Living at Scandia Village 2 stars overall, reflecting a health inspection score 27.8 percent below Wisconsin average despite staffing running 10.5 percent above average. Staffing’s headline figure, 4 hours 55 minutes of total adjusted nursing per resident per day, ranks 41st of 172 Wisconsin SNFs and exceeds the state average by 16 percent. Physical therapist hours at 8 minutes per day are double the Wisconsin average. However, the Q4 2025 payroll data reveals a major operational concern: 58.1 percent of all staff hours are delivered by contractors, including 18 contract CNAs alongside just 13 employed CNAs, 6 contract LPNs against 3 employed, and 3 contract RNs against 4 employed. This level of contractor dependency, the highest in this review batch, raises meaningful questions about care continuity and institutional knowledge. Weekend RN coverage at 21 minutes per day is 48 percent below the 40-minute Wisconsin average. The inspection record since 2022 shows 42 total citations, ranked 129th of 174 Wisconsin SNFs, at 6.0 per inspection against a state average of 4.19. Eleven of 42 citations arose from complaint investigations. The leading deficiency categories are Quality of Life and Care (10 deficiencies, 24 percent) and Resident Rights (8 deficiencies, 19 percent), with Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation accounting for 4 deficiencies. 1 serious citation is on record. No critical citations have been issued, and no penalties have been imposed in the past three years. Quality measure outcomes present a striking split. For long-stay residents, hospitalizations at 0.58 per 1,000 resident days are 64 percent below Wisconsin average, an exceptional result, while ED visits at 4.07 per 1,000 days are 86 percent above average, indicating that medical situations avoiding inpatient hospitalization are frequently resolved via emergency department visits instead. Pressure ulcer rates and antipsychotic use are also above average for long-stay residents. Short-stay re-hospitalization at 15.4 percent is 32 percent better than the Wisconsin average, and falls with major injury are zero for short-stay residents. Financially, the facility recorded a net loss of $2.5 million in 2024 on a total payroll of $5.1 million, with occupancy declining by 11 percent from 2022. The financial trajectory warrants close attention by prospective families as an indicator of operational stability.

The community provides rehabilitation services with a doctor on staff and 24-hour staffing across its skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, and independent living continuum.

In the scenic Door County peninsula, Serenity Spring Senior Living at Scandia Village fits families seeking a continuum-of-care campus setting in rural Wisconsin. The 2-star CMS rating, high contractor dependency, above-average citations, and ongoing financial losses are crucial considerations families should address with facility leadership before proceeding.

Overview of Oak Park Place of Janesville

Oak Park Place of Janesville is a 35-bed continuing care community in Janesville, Wisconsin, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation on a single campus, giving residents access to a full continuum of services. The privately owned facility is operated by Oak Park Place of Janesville, LLC, under the administration of Lori Schlais. The facility holds a 3-star overall CMS rating, at the Wisconsin average. Its Health Inspection performance is roughly 8% above the state average, while Quality Measures are about 9% below — a split picture that favors the inspection side. Staffing is the clearest strength. Total nurse staffing averages 5 hours and 27 minutes per resident per day, ranking 14th out of 172 Wisconsin skilled nursing facilities — a figure driven largely by RN staffing at 1 hour and 40 minutes daily, 72% above the Wisconsin average, and CNA staffing averages 3 hours and 51 minutes, 49% above the state norm. For a 35-bed community, that ratio translates to meaningful daily contact between residents and clinical staff. The facility’s occupancy rate is 51%, well below Wisconsin’s average of 70%, indicating current room availability across care levels. Oak Park Place of Janesville’s model — spanning independent living through skilled nursing — suits older adults seeking a single-site continuum of care, including those who anticipate needing higher levels of care over time. Memory care capacity and rehabilitation services also make it an option for residents in Rock County who are transitioning from a hospital stay or managing cognitive decline.

Located in the Grant neighborhood of Kenosha, Wisconsin, St. Catherine Commons is a senior living community offering assisted living, independent living, and memory care in one location. The community is about 1.4 miles from downtown Kenosha and approximately 6 miles from Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital. Catherine Commons is part of the Capri Senior Living group.

Care plans are built around each resident individually, so the community can support people across a range of needs, from those who want the independence of their own apartment to those who benefit from the additional support of assisted living or memory care. Having all three care types in one place also makes it easier for couples or families with different care needs to stay close together as those needs change over time.

Residents have access to an outdoor courtyard, spacious lounge areas, and bright recreation rooms that provide comfortable places to relax or socialize. Restaurant-style meals are served in the dining room. Additional amenities include a library, a chapel, and heated underground parking, which can be useful during Wisconsin’s winter season.

The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 33, and it’s somewhat walkable. A few nearby shops and services can be reached on foot, while most errands and outings require a car. Catherine Commons should plan for transportation needs for regular visits.

Overview of Sienna Crest Memory Care – Mineral Point

Mineral Point, Wisconsin is home to Sienna Crest Memory Care, a senior living community located at 210 Copper Street. Operating entirely on a single level, the building layout eliminates stairs to provide clear, accessible pathways for residents who rely on walkers or wheelchairs. The campus is set up to provide independent living, assisted living, and memory care, allowing residents to stay in the same community even if their physical or cognitive needs change.

The neighborhood around the property carries a walk score of 25 out of 100, meaning the location is car-dependent and families will need a vehicle for shopping or medical visits. Inside the facility, accommodations consist of private studio apartments where the burden of daily chores is lifted through regular housekeeping services.

Around-the-clock supervision and hands-on assistance are managed by an on-site team of licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants. To support cognitive health and peer interaction, the staff organizes a routine schedule of social events, memory-focused activities, and light exercises.

Prospective representatives can contact the administrative office to check current studio availability and monthly tier pricing.

Overview of Crystal Bay Senior Apartments

Crystal Bay Senior Apartment strives to make a positive impact in the lives of each resident; they are ready to attend to any needs an individual may have. The staff encourages residents to take part in enriching and engaging activities that cultivate their personal growth during their golden years. The vibrant home for independent living offers a home-like atmosphere that can provide all the essential benefits for its residents, as they make it a point to enhance the lifestyle of every resident and elevate their daily living.

Crystal Bay residents can enjoy seamless access to lounge areas, entertainment rooms, a wood shop, and computer rooms.  Other services include essential housekeeping, laundry, transportation, medication management, and recreational activities.

Overview of Mountain Terrace Senior Living Cbrf

Mountain Terrace Senior Living Cbrf is a community-based residential community (CBRF) operated by Terrace Court Senior Living Inc. in Wausau, Wisconsin, within Marathon County. Licensed since August 2016, the community has been in operation for nine years with 40 beds. With an 85% occupancy rate and 34 residents currently in residence, the community has a stable demand and limited availability.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has conducted four visits, with five complaint-triggered inspections, and two of those resulted in findings, accumulating a total of five violations. The most recent inspection, a complaint investigation in August 2025, cited two deficiencies, well below the Wisconsin average of 12 deficiencies, suggesting a favorable compliance profile and consistent operational standards.

The community has a wide continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care, along with 24-hour staffing. With this range of services, the community is a practical option for older adults who anticipate their needs to progress but would like to stay in one place. Among the communities of its size, it has comprehensive amenities, including an on-site salon, emergency response system, chef-prepared meals, a gym, fitness classes, walking paths, gardens, transportation for appointments, a library, fine dining, and pet-friendly spaces. Private bathrooms, private dining, and controllable thermostats are also available, reflecting a comfort-oriented residential approach.

Mountain Terrace’s amenity-rich setting and flexible care levels are best-suited for those aiming to age in place across independent, assisted, and memory care levels in the Wausau area.

Overview of Tudor Oaks

Tudor Oaks is a 33-bed nursing home in Muskego, Wisconsin, operated by American Baptist Homes of the Midwest, a nonprofit organization operating since 1930. Situated on a 110-acre campus about three miles from the city center, the facility coordinates skilled nursing, memory care, and rehabilitation services. On-site features include a wellness center, a warm-water pool, a bistro, a theater, and a greenhouse, with daily operations supported by 24-hour nursing teams. The property accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, recording an average resident stay of 112 days and a 69% occupancy rate in an area with a Walk Score of 3.

Federal files from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) assign the facility a two-star overall rating, which includes two stars for health inspections and daily staffing, alongside a three-star rating for quality measures. Nursing care times average 4 hours and 21 minutes per resident daily, with weekend staffing levels tracking 10% above the Wisconsin baseline. Compliance logs since 2023 record eight separate health inspections resulting in 37 total citations and a single $5,000 federal fine, with zero critical citations on file.

Regulatory notes primarily involved quality of life (32%), abuse and neglect protocols (24%), and pharmacy services (11%). Clinical data reveals mixed outcomes: residents recorded higher rates of functional decline, incontinence, and major injuries from falls compared to state averages, but the home achieved a zero percent resident depression rate and high vaccination numbers, including 100% for pneumococcal and 97.4% for influenza.

Interested individuals researching local skilled nursing options can use these multi-year government profiles to weigh the provider’s care patterns. While the public tracking data points to a small historical fine and below-average federal health ratings, it also highlights solid daily staffing hours and positive scores for resident depression and vaccination rates. Setting up an on-site visit is a logical next step to observe the physical layout of the campus, see the nursing staff at work, and talk with the administration about how they address specific quality clinical measures.