WILLOW RIDGE HEALTHCARE
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Willow Ridge Healthcare has a Trust Grade of C, which means it is average and sits in the middle of the pack for nursing homes. It ranks #183 out of 321 facilities in Wisconsin, placing it in the bottom half, but it is #3 out of 6 in Polk County, indicating only two local options are better. The facility shows an improving trend, with issues decreasing from 7 in 2024 to just 1 in 2025. Staffing is a strength, rated 4 out of 5 stars, with a turnover rate of 45%, which is slightly below the state average. While there have been no fines, which is a positive sign, there were serious incidents, such as a failure to notify a resident's physician promptly after a fall, resulting in a delayed diagnosis of a fractured hip, and concerns regarding food safety standards that could impact resident health. Overall, while there are strengths in staffing and a lack of fines, families should be aware of the serious incidents and average trust grade when considering this facility.
- Trust Score
- C
- In Wisconsin
- #183/321
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 45% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Wisconsin facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 43 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Wisconsin. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 18 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
4-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Wisconsin average (3.0)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
Near Wisconsin avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 18 deficiencies on record
Jun 2025
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Report Alleged Abuse
(Tag F0609)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility did not implement policies and procedures for ensuring the reporting of physi...
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May 2024
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Abuse Prevention Policies
(Tag F0607)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interview, the facility did not implement policy and procedures related to screening employees for a prior history of abuse, neglect, exploitation of residents, or misapprop...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Assessments
(Tag F0636)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility did not conduct a comprehensive and accurate assessment for 1 of 13 residents...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility did not provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment to...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0688
(Tag F0688)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Example 4
Resident (R) 7 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] and has a diagnosis that includes Alzheimer's/dementia. R7 could...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation and staff interview, the facility did not ensure food was stored and served under sanitary conditions. This practice had the potential to affect 32 residents.
Foods opened withou...
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Jan 2024
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility did not ensure that 1 of 3 residents (R2) reviewed for falls had...
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CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medication Errors
(Tag F0758)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility did not have behavior monitoring for targeted behaviors, and non...
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Nov 2023
2 deficiencies
2 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Notification of Changes
(Tag F0580)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility did not consult with the resident's physician, consistent with his or her aut...
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SERIOUS
(G)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility did not ensure that 1 out of 3 sampled residents (R) R2 received assessment a...
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May 2023
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, interviews and record review, the facility did not ensure sanitary conditions while dishwashing. This has the potential to affect 37 of 37 residents in the facility.
Kitchen staf...
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Apr 2022
7 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Abuse Prevention Policies
(Tag F0607)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, the facility did not implement abuse prohibition policies for 1 of 8 random staff reviewed for caregiver compliance.
The facility did not screen a new employee fo...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 4. R4's recent Minimum Data Set (MDS) was dated 12/21/21. R4's cognitive status was indicated with a Brief Interview of Mental S...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0700
(Tag F0700)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Example 9:
On 04/03/22 during the initial tour of the facility, Surveyor noticed that Resident 4 (R4) had rails/grab bars in pla...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medication Errors
(Tag F0758)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility did not ensure residents were free from unnecessary psychotropic medications....
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation and interview, the facility did not establish and maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to help prevent the development and transmission of disease and inf...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0909
(Tag F0909)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Example 9:
On 04/03/22 during the initial tour of the facility, Surveyor noticed that R4 had rails/grab bars in place, one on ea...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation and interview, the facility did not store, prepare, distribute, and serve food in a safe and sanitary manner.
The facility staff had dusty fans blowing onto clean dishes in the di...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Wisconsin facilities.
- • 18 deficiencies on record, including 2 serious (caused harm) violations. Ask about corrective actions taken.
- • Grade C (55/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Willow Ridge Healthcare's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns WILLOW RIDGE HEALTHCARE an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Wisconsin, this rating places the facility higher than 0% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This mid-range rating indicates the facility meets federal standards but may have areas for improvement.
How is Willow Ridge Healthcare Staffed?
CMS rates WILLOW RIDGE HEALTHCARE's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 45%, compared to the Wisconsin average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Willow Ridge Healthcare?
State health inspectors documented 18 deficiencies at WILLOW RIDGE HEALTHCARE during 2022 to 2025. These included: 2 that caused actual resident harm and 16 with potential for harm. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates Willow Ridge Healthcare?
WILLOW RIDGE HEALTHCARE is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility is operated by REAL PROPERTY HEALTH FACILITIES, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 83 certified beds and approximately 30 residents (about 36% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in AMERY, Wisconsin.
How Does Willow Ridge Healthcare Compare to Other Wisconsin Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Wisconsin, WILLOW RIDGE HEALTHCARE's overall rating (3 stars) matches the state average, staff turnover (45%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Willow Ridge Healthcare?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "Can I visit during a mealtime to observe dining assistance and food quality?" "How do you handle medical emergencies, and what is your hospital transfer rate?" "Can I speak with family members of current residents about their experience?"
Is Willow Ridge Healthcare Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, WILLOW RIDGE HEALTHCARE has a clean safety record: no substantiated abuse findings (meaning no confirmed cases of resident harm), no Immediate Jeopardy citations (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death), and is not on the Special Focus Facility watch list (a federal program monitoring the lowest-performing 1% of nursing homes). The facility has a 3-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Wisconsin. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Willow Ridge Healthcare Stick Around?
WILLOW RIDGE HEALTHCARE has a staff turnover rate of 45%, which is about average for Wisconsin nursing homes (state average: 46%). Moderate turnover is common in nursing homes, but families should still ask about staff tenure and how the facility maintains care continuity when employees leave.
Was Willow Ridge Healthcare Ever Fined?
WILLOW RIDGE HEALTHCARE has no federal fines on record. CMS issues fines when nursing homes fail to meet care standards or don't correct problems found during inspections. The absence of fines suggests the facility has either maintained compliance or corrected any issues before penalties were assessed. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review recent inspection reports for the full picture.
Is Willow Ridge Healthcare on Any Federal Watch List?
WILLOW RIDGE HEALTHCARE is not on any federal watch list. The most significant is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which identifies the bottom 1% of nursing homes nationally based on persistent, serious quality problems. Not being on this list means the facility has avoided the pattern of deficiencies that triggers enhanced federal oversight. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review the facility's inspection history directly.