St. Joseph Residence in New London, Wisconsin, is a senior living community providing a range of care services, including skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, and assisted living. The community is situated on a spacious, landscaped campus in Waupaca County, offering residents a quiet, residential setting near area hospitals and medical services. The facility encompasses both a rehabilitation center and a skilled nursing facility, as well as an assisted living area referred to as The Washington Center, which provides residents with a more independent living option while still offering access to supportive services. Affiliated with ThedaCare, St. Joseph Residence accommodates residents requiring both long-term and short-term support, enabling seamless transitions between care levels as needs change.
The skilled nursing and rehabilitation center at St. Joseph Residence offers 24-hour nursing care, physical, occupational, and speech therapy services, and a range of restorative programs designed to support recovery after illness, injury, or surgery. Therapy services are provided in a dedicated rehabilitation gym equipped with modern equipment. The Washington Center Assisted Living features private or semi-private rooms with emergency call systems and offers daily assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, medication management, and meal preparation. Residents also have access to housekeeping, laundry services, and transportation for medical appointments.
Amenities at St. Joseph Residence include comfortable common areas, landscaped outdoor spaces, a chapel for spiritual services, and on-site beauty and barber services. The community provides nutritious, home-style meals prepared on-site, with menu options accommodating special dietary needs. Social and recreational activities are organized regularly and may include group exercise sessions, arts and crafts, music programs, games, religious services, and seasonal events. Residents can participate in community outings and enjoy visits from local volunteers and entertainers.
Despite this comprehensive care model, resident and family reviews have raised multiple concerns. Reports indicate an environment described as “institutional and cold,” with inconsistent nursing practices that sometimes result in conflicting approaches to resident care. Concerns have also been voiced regarding the use of sedation as a primary management method rather than exploring alternative interventions. Negative experiences have especially been noted in the facility’s billing procedures, with families describing aggressive and distressing collection practices, including urgent payment requests prior to insurance processing. These issues have led to feedback about impersonal interactions and unsympathetic administrative policies. As of June 2024, there have been no reported major changes or improvements at the facility.
Costs at this community start at $2,250 and range up to $6,789. The average price in the community is $4,520, which is less than the average price in the area of $5,208. The cost of nursing homes in this area is essentially the same as the cost throughout the state. If the resident needs other services, additional services may increase the monthly cost.
