Howard Village

We liked Howard Village very much. We were impressed with the attention that the staff gave us. The director and the nurse came to the house to assess our situation and were very attentive to our needs. They showed me two apartments that would have been available, and I would have liked either one of them. They were quite pleasant, very comfortable, and it was a good location for us. I took a tour of the community and was impressed with just about everything there.

My father was a resident of Howard Village for several months and our family absolutely loved the facility. I visited often at different times of the day and night. Pros: * The food is 5 Star quality. The chef's specialties include fresh vegetable soups and great homemade desserts. The staff is very welcoming. My father was very independent and reluctant to be living in a "senior community." Every staff member made an effort to get to know my father and then invite him to events and activities that he would enjoy. There were welcome signs and boxes of cookies along with regular escorts from staff to the many activities such as Bingo, and concerts from local high school choirs and bands. The cleanliness was surprising! The laundry room and even the trash deposit area were always clean and odor free. The managers and nursing staff followed through with a very organized health assessment and information system for each resident. I really appreciated that they communicated frequently with me and my siblings regarding my father's needs. A plus is that they practice the "age in place" philosophy, so they will bring assisted living services as needed to the resident instead of moving the resident to another wing. Howard Village is located within a few minutes of several good restaurants and a small shopping mall that includes a grocery store. Underground parking is available for residents and there is ample parking for visitors outdoors. Cons: * This facility is located near a train track. The sound can be slightly annoying depending on the location of one's apartment. The apartments are small, though they have enough windows to be pleasant. Overall I feel that the staff of Howard Village made a difference in the lives of their elderly residents. They regularly used acts of patience and kindness to demonstrate their understanding of the specialized needs of the elderly. This difference turns an assisted living facility into a home. Reviewer: Jackie Benka is a Public Health Nurse for a Milwaukee suburban health department. She has had many years of experience caring for her elderly parents.