Best Nursing Homes in Wisconsin

Overview of Ascension Living Lakeshore at Siena

Ascension Living Lakeshore at Siena is a 36-bed skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and memory care community at 5643 Erie Street in Racine, Wisconsin, operated by Ascension Living Lakeshore at Siena Inc, a nonprofit within the Ascension Health system. The facility accepts Medicare and private pay, operates with 24-hour staffing, and has been licensed since December 2020. CMS rates the facility 1 star overall, with health inspection and quality measures both substantially below Wisconsin averages. State DHS surveys since 2022 recorded 6 total deficiencies — 50% below the Wisconsin average of 12. The trajectory has improved: 5 deficiencies and 2 substantiated complaints in May 2024; 1 deficiency in May 2025; and 0 deficiencies in November 2025. A 19-day CMS payment denial issued in September 2024 — a federal enforcement action suspending Medicare and Medicaid payments for new admissions — and a $500 Wisconsin DHS forfeiture from the May 2024 survey are the most significant enforcement actions on record. Quality Measures are the primary clinical concern. Long-stay weight loss is 151% above the Wisconsin average, and falls with major injury for long-stay residents are 109% above the state average. Short-stay falls with major injury are 248% above the Wisconsin benchmark — the single most elevated figure in the facility’s quality measure profile. Total nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 47 minutes per resident per day, roughly 11% below the Wisconsin average, with 44% of nursing hours contractor-supplied in Q4 2025. Rehabilitation services and skilled nursing are the facility’s core offerings, supported by on-site physical therapy and memory care programming. Active resident and family councils are in place. With a 67-day average length of stay and a payer mix weighted toward Medicare and private pay, Ascension Living Lakeshore is structured for short-term post-acute stays in Racine County. Families considering placement should review the facility’s inspection trend, particularly around falls and long-stay outcomes.

Overview of Wood Aven Health and Rehabilitation

Wood Aven Health and Rehabilitation is a for-profit skilled nursing and rehabilitation community owned by River Hawk Healthcare LLC and managed by administrator Sarah Petry under the Ensign Services network in Wausau, Wisconsin. With 82 licensed beds, the community provides 24-hour skilled nursing, long-term care, and short-term rehabilitation services in Marathon County. The community also accepts both Medicaid and Medicare, which provides insurance flexibility for new residents.

By being part of the Ensign Services portfolio, the community benefits from the staffing standards, clinical systems, and quality accountability frameworks of a professional multi-site healthcare operator. Additionally, this affiliation adds a layer of operational oversight and credibility. Its location in Wausau also ensures the community is centrally accessible for families living across Marathon County and central Wisconsin.

Along with a comprehensive care program, encompassing skilled nursing, rehabilitation therapy, and an on-staff physician, the community also follows a specific staffing model designed to support residents who have complex and ongoing medical needs. The 24-hour staffing structure also provides continuous clinical oversight, while the “Stay Active” programming reflects its dedication to residents’ mobility and engagement.

Wood Aven Health and Rehabilitation is an ideal option for those in the Wausau area who require short-term post-acute rehabilitation, long-term nursing care, or skilled nursing after hospitalization. The combination of 24-hour nursing, rehabilitation services, and on-site physician access also appeals to those with medically complex needs requiring close monitoring. Accepting both Medicare and Medicaid, the community is a practical choice for families looking for a stable and professionally managed skilled nursing community in central Wisconsin.

Overview of The Pines Post Acute and Memory Care

The Pines Post Acute and Memory Care is a skilled nursing and memory care community owned by Cloverleaf Healthcare LLC and managed by administrator Zachary Moan in Clintonville, Wisconsin. Operating as part of the Ensign Services network, a national healthcare organization with an extensive portfolio of post-acute properties, the community brings operational oversight and standardized clinical protocols to Waupaca County. Along with a 50-bed capacity, Medicare is accepted for covered services.

With 50 licensed beds, the community is able to provide a more personalized care experience, which allows staff members to develop a close familiarity with residents and their daily routines. At the same time, its affiliation with Ensign Services provides families with the assurance of professional management standards and clinical resources, commonly provided in larger healthcare organizations.

The community offers 24-hour staffing, skilled nursing care, in-house rehabilitation therapy, and specialized memory care programming. Compared to other communities that only provide general skilled nursing, the community’s memory care provides dedicated care for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Monthly activity calendars, religious services, and a dining program that features nutritious meals tailored to individual resident needs are also provided for social engagement.

The Pines Post Acute and Memory Care is an ideal choice for individuals in Clintonville and the central Wisconsin region who require skilled nursing, short-term post-acute rehabilitation, or specialized memory care, particularly those looking for a dedicated memory care environment within a skilled nursing community. With this, the community minimizes the residents’ need to move to a different community as their cognitive needs change. For those who value the professional consistency of a managed healthcare network, the community’s affiliation with Ensign Services serves as a reliable sign.

Overview of Oakbrook Health and Rehabilitation

Oakbrook Health and Rehabilitation is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation community owned by a locally rooted organization, Thorp Nursing Home Inc., and managed by administrator Tracy Schultze in Thorp, Wisconsin. With a 58-bed capacity, the community provides short-term skilled nursing, rehabilitation therapy, and long-term care services for residents of Clark County and the surrounding area. The community is also certified with both Medicare and Medicaid.

While specific CMS quality ratings were not available, the community offers an extensive rehabilitation program that includes physical, occupational, speech, respiratory, and restorative nursing therapies. Its complete range of rehabilitative services is designed to support those recovering from illness, surgery, stroke, or injury. The community also provides skilled nursing and long-term care for residents with complex medical needs.

As a mid-sized community, Oakbrook Healtha nd Rehabilitation effectively balances organized care with personal attention. Its location in rural Clark County also makes it a primary resource for the Thorp area, serving those who might otherwise lack easy access to larger urban healthcare systems.

Oakbrook Health and Rehabilitation is an ideal choice for older adults in the Clark County region who are recovering from acute medical events and require ongoing skilled nursing or post-acute rehabilitation. The comprehensive therapy offerings across multiple disciplines make it a strong option for those with complex needs. Families who value proximity and familiarity may find the community’s local foundation and community-centered skilled nursing care in rural Wisconsin a compelling option.

Overview of Rennes Health and Rehab Center-Depere

Rennes Health and Rehab Center in De Pere is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation community owned by TDR Inc. and managed by administrator Charity Beschta in Brown County, Wisconsin. With 137 licensed beds, the center stands as one of the larger skilled nursing communities in the greater Green Bay region. The community operates as a for-profit entity and is part of the Rennes Group, a multi-site senior living organization that provides various levels of care throughout Wisconsin.

Along with memory care and assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, including speech, occupational, and physical therapy, are offered. Since the Rennes Group maintains a multi-site presence, it offers an organizational depth and care management infrastructure that can be highly beneficial for residents who require coordinated transitions within a single network.

Due to its size, the community is able to provide a diverse array of shared amenities, frequent on-site visits from specialists, and organized social programming. Its location in De Pere near Green Bay also offers geographic convenience for families living in the greater Fox River Valley area. Additionally, the community accepts both Medicare and Medicaid, which provides flexibility in planning financially.

Rennes Health and Rehab Center in De Pere is an ideal choice for those in the De Pere and Green Bay areas seeking short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing, or memory care in a well-established and larger community. Those who prioritize continuity of care and the ability to transition between different care levels will find this placement beneficial and practical. Furthermore, those who prefer a larger community with a variety of structured activities will find the scale of this community to be a significant advantage.

Overview of Saint Johns on the Lake Central Tower

Saint John’s on the Lake Central Tower is a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operated by the nonprofit organization, Saint John’s Communities Inc., that offers multiple levels of care on one campus. Providing care since September 2004, the community is one of the larger communities in Milwaukee County, with its 110 licensed beds.

Registered with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the community is a nursing home with an integrated assisted living component. Along with 24/7 skilled nursing care for those with medical needs, rehabilitation services are also provided for those seeking short-term care. Additionally, enrichment programs structured around engaged living, instead of the custodial care model, are also provided to improve residents’ quality of life. Other amenities also include a fitness center, landscaped gardens, community spaces, a wellness program, cultural programs, arts, sports, and hobby clubs, making the community stand out among its competitors.

With a full continuum of care options in one campus, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, Saint Johns on the Lake Central Tower is best suited for those seeking an active and independent lifestyle but anticipate more advanced levels of care. The community’s location on Prospect Avenue also allows residents to easily access dining, shopping, and leisure amenities in the city center. 

Overview of Oakwood Village University Woods

Oakwood Village University Woods is a continuing care retirement community, operated by Oakwood Village Homes Inc., in Madison, Wisconsin, offering apartment-style independent living, assisted living, memory care, and rehabilitation services for those 55+. Registered with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services since November 2011, with 415 beds, the community is one of the most comprehensive and largest senior living communities in the region.

Compared to other communities in the area, Oakwood Village University Woods is significantly larger and typically supports a wide range of amenities, dedicated programming staff, and purpose-built infrastructure. The community is also located near the city center, offering convenient proximity to hospitals, medical providers, shopping, and dining.
While the community is registered with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Quality Assurance, there was no inspection history, deficiency data, or complaint records available. So, it is highly recommended that families consult the Wisconsin DHS public database or request inspection records directly from the community.

As a true continuing care campus, the community offers a full spectrum of care, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and rehabilitation. Enrichment activities, spiritual care, and culinary services are among the lifestyle programming, providing residents with services beyond clinical care. Along with an Oakwood Foundation, which supports the community’s broader organizational goals, Wisconsin financial assistance programs, including Medicaid Family Care and the IRIS self-direction program, may also be available to eligible residents.

With its wide range of care, Oakwood Village University Woods is best suited for those seeking multiple levels of care in one campus. The community is a well-established choice for families in the Madison area, as it has a large campus and mission-focused programming.

Overview of Franciscan Courts

Franciscan Courts is an assisted living community and a nursing home, administered by CHI Living Communities, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, offering residential care since August 2017. With a mission-driven environment rooted in the Franciscan tradition, the community focuses on promoting a close-knit atmosphere and a worry-free daily life for up to 39 older adults in Milwaukee County.

Accommodating 31 residents per day, the community has an approximately 79.5% occupancy rate, which is in line with the Wisconsin state average. Those seeking near-term placement in South Milwaukee may find the community appealing, as it has steady demand with decent availability. The community has been inspected three times, all of which are complaint-triggered, with one of those concluding with no deficiencies. However, on the most recent investigation on September 25, 2025, two deficiencies were identified. Notably, the community’s deficiencies are way below the state average of 12 deficiencies per cycle, which is a good indicator of its quality.

Operating under CHI Living Communities, a Catholic-based health inspector, the community is consistent with its Franciscan identity of providing a faith-based approach to care. Additionally, resident tours, community engagement, and volunteer opportunities are provided, promoting a purpose-driven setting.

Franciscan Courts is ideal for those seeking a faith-centered atmosphere in a residential care community, especially with its comprehensive care services and various amenities. With a clean inspection history, mission-driven identity, and a well-established Catholic faith, the community appeals to older adults and families in the area. Residents are also expected to integrate with the locality, as volunteer programs are also provided for community engagement.

Overview of Chippewa Manor Living Services Corporation

Chippewa Manor Living Services Corporation is a senior care community operated by Chippewa Manor Home Health Care Corp in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, offering independent living, assisted living, and rehabilitation services to older adults in Chippewa County since its original licensing in June 1997. As one of the longest-standing senior living providers in the region, the community has 93 beds, which allows for a variety of shared amenities.

Compared to Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes, the community carries a registered designation, which reflects its focus on independent and assisted living instead of skilled nursing. Consistent with its registration classification, the community does not have available inspection data. While also overseen by the Department of Health Services, as a registered RCAC-type community in Wisconsin, the community follows a different inspection reporting structure compared to certified nursing homes. Families who value regulatory data are encouraged to inquire directly to the Wisconsin DHS Division of Quality Assurance.

Along with independent living, assisted living, and rehabilitation services, 24-hour staffing is also provided. The community also stands out among its competitors with its broader employment program, which provides older adults, those with disabilities, and those re-entering the workforce with employment opportunities. It is also suggested that the community aims to provide care for those recovering from illness, injury, or surgery, as it includes rehabilitation under therapy and additional services. Combining its 28 years of experience and the management of an in-house health care corporation, the community provides an integrated approach to care beyond standard residential care.

With comprehensive services, ranging from independent living to rehabilitation services, Chippewa Manor Living Services is a practical option for those seeking care in one place. The community’s 93-bed capacity also promotes a more active, communal lifestyle, which provides residents with more opportunities for socialization. Those who value familiarity and proximity may find Chippewa Manor appealing, especially with its long history of care in the region.