Page 18 of Best Nursing Homes in Wisconsin

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 197 nursing homes in WI using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in WI
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We analyzed These are the facilities in Wisconsin our team has analyzed — not a count of every nursing home provider in Wisconsin.
197 homes
Other senior care options in Wisconsin:

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Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the WI Dept. of Health Services (DHS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.

The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The Wisconsin average is: 59.2% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Fort Atkinson Health Care Center-
NH
AL
Fort Atkinson
87
Facility 87
WI AVG 80
Rank #77 / 192
34.5%
Facility 34.5%
WI AVG 71.6%
Rank #158 / 161
-52%
4.11
Facility 4.11
WI AVG 4.28
Rank #86 / 164
F----49%-4%
$136.4k
Facility $136.4k
WI AVG $103.4k
Rank #148 / 168
118
Facility 118
WI AVG 27.3
Rank #167 / 168
9.1
Facility 9.1
WI AVG 4.2
Rank #166 / 168
1030-
29
Facility 29
WI AVG 48
Rank #140 / 186
Bedrock Hcs At Atkinson LLC
$7.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $7.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
WI AVG $8.4M
Rank #78 / 161
$3.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $3.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
WI AVG $5.0M
Rank #117 / 161
39.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 39.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
WI AVG 59.2%
Rank #140 / 161
525262

Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each nursing home is ranked against every other WI nursing home we track that reports that metric, not just the 197 on this page. See how we rank facilities

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Overview of Brookdale Middleton Century Ave

Brookdale Middleton Century Ave, located near Madison, Wisconsin, offers an assisted living experience tailored to meet the unique needs of each resident. This community provides the care and support residents require, allowing them to focus on enjoying life’s meaningful moments. At Brookdale Middleton Century Ave, residents can receive assistance with daily tasks like dressing, medication management, and household chores, freeing them up to pursue their passions. Whether it’s gardening with grandchildren or revisiting a beloved hobby, the community’s personalized approach empowers residents to live life on their own terms.

The community’s robust amenities, including a library, beauty salon, and landscaped grounds, provide ample opportunities for residents to stay active and engaged. The daily activity calendar is filled with wellness classes, social events, and cultural outings, ensuring that every day is enriching. Residents can also savor delicious, chef-inspired meals in the elegant dining room, with the option to provide input on menu planning. With 24/7 staff availability and the inclusion of most utilities and maintenance in the service rate, Brookdale Middleton Century Ave offers a carefree retirement experience.

Contact Brookdale Middleton Century Ave

Franciscan Courts

1010 Williams Ave, South Milwaukee, WI 53172
Overview of Franciscan Courts

Franciscan Courts offers independent living, assisted living, nursing home care, and skilled nursing in South Milwaukee, WI. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Nursing home and skilled nursing care provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock. The range of care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time and who may be able to remain in the same community as care needs change.

Franciscan Courts has 39 beds, making it a smaller community where staff and residents can get to know one another. An 82 / 100 Walk Score means the area is very walkable, with most errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Chi Living Communities operates the community.

Contact Franciscan Courts

Overview of Brookdale Sun Prairie

Operating for 28 years, Brookdale Sun Prairie is a nursing home along Broadway Drive in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Operated by Brookdale Senior Living Communities Inc. under the administration of Dawn Kussow, it accommodates up to 20 residents and currently serves 12, reflecting a 60% occupancy rate. This pet-friendly community also features studios in a single-story setting.

In addition to 24-hour nursing care and assistance with daily activities, the community offers respite care, continuing care services, and at-home care programs to support changing needs over time. Yoga sessions, bingo, trivia games, gardening in the enclosed courtyard, and opportunities to cook in the community kitchen are also conducted. Restaurant-style dining features healthy menu options, while amenities such as a beauty and barber shop, landscaped walking paths, a piano, and secure outdoor garden areas enhance comfort and recreation.

The community’s neighborhood is also relatively walkable, with a walkability score of 39, suggesting that only a few amenities can be reached on foot. Moreover, its smaller size promotes familiarity among residents and the care team, allowing a more individualized approach to care.

Contact Brookdale Sun Prairie

Overview of Ssm Health St. Mary‘s Care Center

Operated by owner Suzanne Anderson, St. Mary’s Care Center is a faith-based nursing home in Madison’s Maple Grove neighborhood. As a 184-bed single-story community, it serves long-term care occupants and those in short-term rehabilitation post-illness or surgery. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted to provide families with multiple routes to arrange care. The facility has a typical average stay length of 275 days, indicating its mix of post-acute rehabilitation patients and those requiring active skilled nursing care. With a 58.7 percent occupancy rate, the home usually has availability for new residents.

Total nursing care averages 4 hours 43 minutes per resident day, delivered by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants working across daily shifts and weekends. The home leans toward rehabilitation and therapy services. It has physical, occupational, and speech therapy available, anchored by a staff comprising licensed therapists, therapy assistants, and respiratory technicians. Such services help residents regain mobility and independence after a hospital stay or health event. Also available are on-site medical services and dental care, lessening the need for outside appointments. Daily life centers on keeping occupants engaged and active. The home offers recreational activities and light exercises tailored to maintain physical fitness and social connection. Residents and family members have regular opportunities to meet in their own groups to discuss policies, care quality, and community activities. The neighborhood surrounding the facility has a Walk Score of 43, meaning some nearby services are walkable, though most trips need transportation. The one-story building design helps with accessibility within the property. The community is about 6.5 miles from Madison’s city center, in a quiet residential area on Maple Grove Drive.

Contact SSM Health St. Mary‘s Care Center

Overview of Oak Park Place Madison East

An assisted living and memory care community, Oak Park Place provides a unique accommodation for the specific needs of assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing residents. As a community that celebrates you as an individual,  management, and staff surely promote an independent lifestyle based on their own terms. Oak Park Place residents feel more comfortable and safe in a community they trust because meaningful relationships are built in the community because the staff genuinely provides excellent care.

Oak Park Place provides an atmosphere of growth and security, ensuring that residents are able to feel comfortable in their new cozy home-like environment. A list of essential services provided for assisted living and memory care residents await them– ADLs, medication management, and stimulating activities. Skilled nursing residents are able to experience state-of-the-art technologies that boost up their recovery period. 

Contact Oak Park Place Madison East

Overview of Oakwood Village University Woods

Oakwood Village University Woods is a continuing care community in Madison, Wisconsin, with assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Assisted living helps with daily tasks while a resident keeps an apartment, memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering, and skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Having several care levels in one community can allow a resident’s care to increase over time without requiring a move elsewhere. The community has 415 beds, making it a larger setting with more residents, more staff, and usually more programming; its Walk Score of 73 falls in the very walkable range, so most errands can be done on foot and a resident who no longer drives may still be able to get out independently. Oakwood Village Homes operates Oakwood Village University Woods.

Contact Oakwood Village University Woods

Overview of Arbor View Senior Living

Arbor View Senior Living is an elegant home built based on its residents’ convenience and comfort. The services provided and designed in the community call on its residents to expand their vibrant social lives. Management aims to raise the standard for Burlington’s assisted living, memory care, and respite care services. Arbor View is one of the trusted homes in the city that many families have gone to because they have strived to embrace its residents to a senior lifestyle that has been reimagined.

As a proud Jaybird Senior Living community member, expect services to be delivered exceptionally, offering gracious amenities that make everyday living easier. A full-service salon and barbershop, outdoor common areas, spacious lounge areas, an elegant dining room with delicious meals served, enriching activities, and specialized memory care training offered.

Contact Arbor View Senior Living

Overview of Golden Years Assisted Living Residence

Golden Years Assisted Living Residence provides nursing home, assisted living, hospice care, independent living, and skilled nursing in Walworth, WI. Nursing home and skilled nursing care provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while assisted living helps with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Hospice care provides end-of-life support, and independent living offers private living with community services rather than daily care. The range of care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, because care can continue within the same community.

Golden Years Assisted Living Residence opened in 1965 and has 44 beds. Golden Years Nursing Home operates the community.

Room options include semi-private suites, semi-private suites with showers, private rooms, private rooms with showers, and expanded private rooms. The semi-private options provide shared accommodations, while the private options provide an individual room; shower availability varies by room type. An on-site salon gives residents access to personal grooming within the community, and the perennial garden-patio area plus indoor and outdoor walking areas provide places for residents to spend time outside their rooms.

Residents can use the Country Kitchen with family, while the dining program includes breakfast cooked to order in a community kitchenette and a home-cooked noon meal served in the larger dining room. Rehabilitation services allow residents to receive therapy at the community rather than arranging care elsewhere. A Walk Score of 52 places the area in the somewhat walkable band, meaning some errands can be completed on foot and a resident who no longer drives may be able to handle certain nearby errands independently.

Contact Golden Years Assisted Living Residence

Overview of Cedar Crest Assisted Living

Cedar Crest Assisted Living offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing home care, and skilled nursing in Janesville, WI. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident keeps an apartment. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision, while nursing home care and skilled nursing provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care. The range of care types may be a good fit for someone whose needs may grow over time and who may want to remain in one community. Respite care provides a short stay for a resident while a usual caregiver travels or recovers.

Cedar Crest Assisted Living opened in 1963 and has 68 beds. Studio and one-bedroom units are available, with a studio providing one private living space and a one-bedroom unit separating the sleeping and living areas. Medicare is accepted for short-term skilled care after a hospital stay rather than for long-term residence.

Residents may keep pets, and David Tanck serves as the director. The community is faith-based, with a chapel and religious services available for on-site participation in faith practices. A therapy and wellness center, rehabilitation services, gardens, walking trails, a salon, and fitness classes give residents access to therapy, outdoor areas, personal grooming, and structured exercise on the property.

Three chef-prepared meals and snacks are served daily, so residents have prepared food available as part of the community’s dining routine.

Contact Cedar Crest Assisted Living

Overview of Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge

A monthly rate between $694 and $1,154 is the figure most families will want to understand first, and it sets the frame for everything else about Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge. This 206-bed community in Madison, Wisconsin, offers assisted living, memory care, and hospice care, and it does not accept Medicare or Medicaid. Costs are covered by residents through private funding. That is a structural fact about who this community is built for, and it belongs at the front of any honest evaluation.

The location is car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 13, about 10.9 miles from Madison’s city center. UW Health E Terrace Dr Medical Center sits less than a mile away, which matters for a community serving residents with memory care and hospice needs. The facility has been operating for 26 years and holds 206 beds.

What stands out in the amenity structure is how much is bundled into residency. Utilities, including water, sewer, gas, and electricity, are covered. So are scheduled housekeeping, daily check-ins, scheduled transportation, a personal emergency response pendant, social worker access, and spiritual care programming. Heated underground parking, additional storage, snow removal, exterior window washing, and grounds maintenance are all included. Property and liability insurance comes with the package. Religious services are available, and residents are given priority access to advanced care levels if needs escalate over time.

Oakwood Village East Apartment Homes Inc operates the community. For families financing care privately and prioritizing an assisted living setting that includes memory care and hospice under one roof, the amenity structure here is more inclusive than most in its price range.

Contact Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge

Ranking Methodology

How we rank these nursing homes

Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports. Rank badges compare each home against other nursing homes in the same state — never against assisted living, memory care, or independent living communities.

  • CMS data
  • 5 weighted categories
  • Updated quarterly
Full methodology

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Care Quality
  • 20%
    Staffing
  • 20%
    Regulatory
  • 20%
    Operational
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Care Quality 35%

The largest single share of every ranking. CMS star ratings and quality measures that reflect actual care delivered to residents.

  • Includes
  • Overall Rating
  • Health Inspection
  • QM Rating
  • Long-Stay QM
  • Short-Stay QM
02

Staffing Adequacy 20%

The strongest predictor of resident outcomes. Volume and stability of nursing care, drawn from CMS Payroll-Based Journal.

  • Includes
  • Nurse Hrs/Res/Day
  • RN vs State
  • Total Nurse Staff Hrs vs State
  • RN Turnover
03

Regulatory & Safety Record 20%

Inspection patterns that star ratings can mask. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • Citations
  • Citations/Inspection
  • Severe Citations
  • Fines
  • Accreditations
04

Operational & Financial Stability 20%

Stable operations and sound finances are leading indicators of consistent care over time.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy vs State
  • Avg Length of Stay
  • Revenue
  • Payroll %
  • Years in Operation
  • Admin Tenure
05

Environment & Accessibility 5%

Context that matters to families but doesn't directly measure clinical care. Weighted lower for nursing homes than for assisted or independent living.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • BBB Rating
No paid rankings Facilities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Nursing Homes in Wisconsin at a glance

Avg Overall CMS Rating: 3.0/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Wisconsin. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating: 3.6/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Wisconsin. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating: 2.8/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Wisconsin. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.0/ 5
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Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Wisconsin

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Wisconsin?

Assisted living in Wisconsin is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does Wisconsin Medicaid cover nursing home care?

Yes — Wisconsin Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.

What is nursing home care?

Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.

How many nursing homes are listed on this page?

This page features 197 nursing homes in Wisconsin. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right nursing home in Wisconsin?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Wisconsin, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting nursing homes in Wisconsin?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.