Willow Lane Assisted Living

    850 W Elsner Rd, Appleton, WI 54913
    • Assisted Living
    • Memory Care

    Personable staff home-like caring environment

    I lived here and was consistently impressed by the long-tenured, personable, knowledgeable staff - Willow and Shorty especially. The building, layout, grounds and activities made it feel home-like, and the care was wonderful: professional, patient, kind, with timely communication and plenty of humor. Staff treated us like family, especially during COVID, so I felt genuinely cared for. I'm sad I'm no longer there and would recommend it to incoming residents.

    Current/former resident
    Jul 2026

    Pricing

    Prices shown are estimates and subject to change. Contact your senior living advisor for current pricing.

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Medication management
    • Mental wellness program

    Healthcare staffing

    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Restaurant-style dining
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Kitchenettes
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Memory care community services

    • Mild cognitive impairment
    • Specialized memory care programming

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Dining room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor space
    • Small library

    Community services

    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    Reviews

    4.50·(10)

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      4.0
    • Staff

      4.3
    • Meals

      4.5
    • Amenities

      5.0
    • Value

      2.0

    Pros

    • Compassionate, family-like staff
    • Professional caregiving
    • Timely family communication
    • Long‑tenured staff presence
    • Personable and knowledgeable caregivers
    • Home-like atmosphere
    • Well-maintained facility and attractive grounds
    • Engaging activities and thoughtful building layout
    • Strong resident–staff relationships
    • Positive recognition during COVID

    Cons

    • Nonrefundable upfront waiting-list and room-reservation fees
    • Inconsistent staff professionalism and conduct
    • Staffing instability and turnover
    • Management and leadership shortcomings
    • Commercial ownership priorities affecting culture

    Summary of reviews

    Willow Lane presents a mixed but fairly clear profile. Many comments emphasize a warm, home-like environment with compassionate, personable staff who build strong relationships with residents. Long-tenured caregivers and staff described as patient, understanding, and even family-like are prominent positives; the building, grounds, and activity spaces are also frequently praised as attractive and well organized.

    Care quality is generally described as attentive and professional. Families cite good communication and timely updates, and several reviewers expressed appreciation for the way staff responded during the COVID period. The facility’s day-to-day programming and the physical layout appear to support engagement; reviewers reference appropriate activities and a campus-like feel that many found comforting for residents.

    However, multiple operational concerns recur. Some accounts describe inconsistent staff professionalism and changes in tone or conduct, and there are indications of staffing instability and turnover that appear linked to an ownership transition. Reviewers express apprehension that newer management priorities have shifted toward commercial/financial objectives, with resulting effects on culture and staffing continuity. Additionally, the facility’s policy of nonrefundable waiting-list and room-reservation fees is highlighted as a financial risk for prospective residents and families.

    There is limited commentary on dining quality in the available summaries; it is neither a noted strength nor an obvious frequent concern. Prospective families should ask the facility directly about meal service, menu variety, and dietary accommodations during a visit.

    Overall, Willow Lane appears to offer a caring environment with strong relationships and attractive facilities, but prospective residents and families should evaluate current staffing patterns, management practices, and financial policies in person. Key due-diligence items include asking about recent turnover, staff training and supervision, current leadership priorities, and the exact terms of any nonrefundable fees before committing.

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    Location

    Map showing location of Willow Lane Assisted Living

    Willow Lane Assisted Living is located at 850 W Elsner Rd, Appleton, WI, 54913.

    About Willow Lane Assisted Living

    Willow Lane Assisted Living offers care for seniors who need help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, medication, and moving around, and there's always staff on hand with a 24-hour call system and a full-time RN to watch over health needs, which is important if someone needs regular support. The community gives people private rooms with their own bathrooms, plus shared dining spaces, lounges, patios, outdoor areas, and a theater room where residents can watch movies together or join group activities, and with a library stocked with books and a beauty salon on site, there's ways to stay busy and look nice without much hassle. For meals, chefs and planners make sure the food is both healthy and fits different dietary needs, and residents can enjoy snacks and entertainment during a Happy Hour in the dining area, which adds a bit of fun to the week.

    If someone has dementia or memory problems, Willow Lane provides a secure and supervised environment with specific programs meant to help keep people safe and reduce confusion, and staff are trained for these challenges, even helping with diabetes care, incontinence care, or if someone can't walk easily, so non-ambulatory care is part of what's offered. The place is wheelchair accessible, and move-in help is available to make getting settled a little easier, and if someone wants to get out, there's transportation for group outings, whether it's a trip to a musical or another community event, all coordinated by a staff activity director and assisted living coordinator.

    The grounds are quite nice, with peaceful outdoor spaces, a pond called Willow Lake for fishing, a covered wooden bridge, walking trails, prairies, gardens, orchards for fresh fruits, and there's even an area called Junior's Farm with animals for visitors to see, so folks can get outside, walk, or take in some nature, which helps people feel at home. There are regular community-sponsored activities, crafts, exercises, on-site entertainment, and an "It's Never 2 Late" system for personal programs to keep minds active, and group activities both on and off site make sure nobody has to feel alone. Willow Lane focuses on person-centered care, trying to make things comfortable and homelike, and the small size with just 28 private rooms means care can be a bit more personal, with staff getting to know everyone's routines and needs. Housekeeping, laundry, and companionship are included, so families know their loved one isn't just getting care, but also living somewhere with a full range of simple comforts and practical help.

    People often ask...

    Willow Lane Assisted Living offers competitive pricing, with rates starting at a cost of $4,800 per month.

    Willow Lane Assisted Living offers assisted living and memory care.

    There are 19 photos of Willow Lane Assisted Living on Mirador.

    The full address for this community is 850 W Elsner Rd, Appleton, WI 54913.

    No, Willow Lane Assisted Living does not offer respite care. Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.

    Safety & Compliance

    In Wisconsin, the Department of Health Services' Division of Quality Assurance licenses assisted living and long-term care facilities through surveys, verification visits, and complaint investigations.

    License number0019516
    StatusActive
    Facility typeCommunity-based Residential Facility
    License classRegular
    Capacity32 residents
    LicenseePARK VISTA SENIOR HOUSING MANAGEMENT LLC
    Care servedAdvanced Aged, Physically Disabled, Irreversible Dementia/alzheimer's, Hcbs Compliance / Public Funding
    EffectiveApril 5th, 2023

    Inspection Reports

    2

    Reports

    0

    Citations

    2

    Complaints

    2

    Years

    29 Aug 2024Complaint
    Investigated a complaint and found no deficiencies.
    07 Feb 2024Complaint
    Found no deficiencies. The complaint was unsubstantiated.

    Disclaimer

    Mirador Living is not affiliated with the owner or operator(s) of Willow Lane Assisted Living. The information above has not been verified or approved by the owner or operator. For exact information, please contact Willow Lane Assisted Living directly. There is no cost for this service. We are compensated by the community you select.

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