Capitol Lakes Independent Living

    333 W. Main Street, Madison, WI, 53703
    3.7 · 3 reviews
    • Independent living
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    5.0

    Excellent care; warm community; transport-limited

    I'm very happy with my loved one's care - the community is warm and the care staff are excellent since the ownership/management change. Rooms are studio-only but updated, with a mini sink and space for a small fridge. They don't offer regular rides to medical appointments, and if funds run out the only option mentioned is skilled nursing (if eligible).

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    3.67 · 3 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      5.0
    • Staff

      5.0
    • Meals

      3.7
    • Amenities

      3.0
    • Value

      2.0

    Pros

    • Updated studio accommodations
    • Mini sink and dedicated area for a refrigerator
    • Very good, friendly community
    • Care staff described as really good
    • Families report overall satisfaction with loved ones living there

    Cons

    • Studio-only layout (no larger apartment options mentioned)
    • No regular transportation provided for medical visits
    • No clear facility solution if resident funds run out (only skilled nursing if eligible)
    • Recent change in ownership/management

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment across the provided reviews is cautiously positive: reviewers emphasize a strong community atmosphere and high marks for the care staff, and families indicate they are happy with their loved ones’ experiences. The facility appears to offer clean, updated studio-style independent living units with practical in-room features like a mini sink and a designated area for a refrigerator. These elements contribute to a generally favorable impression for prospective residents who are seeking independent living with dependable on-site caregiving.

    Facilities and apartment layout: The property is repeatedly described as offering studio-only apartments that have been updated and include small conveniences such as a mini sink and space for a fridge. While the updates and in-unit features are positives, the uniform studio-only configuration is also a limitation — it may not suit couples, those who need more living space, or people seeking multiple floorplan options. Prospective residents should confirm unit sizes, storage, and any options for larger suites if that is a requirement.

    Care quality and staff: Care staff receive specific praise in the reviews and are singled out as a major strength; families report satisfaction with the care their loved ones receive. This suggests that day-to-day caregiving and interactions with staff are reliable and a core positive of the community. The favorable comments about staff imply good responsiveness and resident support in the independent living context, though the reviews do not provide detailed examples of clinical care beyond these general endorsements.

    Services and transportation: A notable deficiency cited is the absence of regular transportation to medical appointments. This operational gap is important for independent living residents who may rely on scheduled rides for ongoing medical care. The lack of a routine shuttle or transport service means residents and families will likely need to arrange private transportation, coordinate with family, or use public/ride-share services for medical visits — an important practical consideration for anyone evaluating the community.

    Financial stability and long-term placement concerns: Reviewers raise a significant concern about what happens if a resident’s personal funds are depleted. According to the summaries, there is no in-community solution to remain in independent living once funds run out, aside from transition to skilled nursing if the resident qualifies. This represents a material financial and continuity-of-care risk for prospective residents who may outlive their assets or face unexpected costs. Families should obtain clear written policies about financial assistance, eviction/transition procedures, grace periods, and whether the community offers any internal financial aid, subsidized units, or move-to-other-level-of-care options within the same campus.

    Management and ownership: The reviews mention a change in ownership/management. While change in leadership is not intrinsically negative, it can signal a transition period where policies, staffing, and service levels may shift. Prospective residents and families should ask about the timeline and nature of the ownership change, whether leadership turnover has affected staff retention or service offerings, and if any promised changes are planned for the community.

    Missing or limited information: The provided reviews do not address dining, programming/activities, security, housekeeping, or medical-on-site services in detail. Because these are often central to choosing an independent living community, it’s important for evaluators to request specifics on dining options, social and wellness programming, medication assistance policies, and housekeeping services during a tour or call.

    Bottom line: Capitol Lakes Independent Living appears to offer an updated, community-focused independent living option with highly rated care staff and satisfied families. It is best suited to independent residents who are comfortable in a studio layout and who can manage or arrange their own transportation to medical appointments. Significant considerations include the lack of in-house solutions if personal funds run out (beyond qualifying for skilled nursing) and the recent ownership/management change. Prospective residents should verify financial policies, transportation options, and any forthcoming changes under new management, and should seek detailed information on dining, activities, and other services not described in these reviews.

    Location

    Map showing location of Capitol Lakes Independent Living

    About Capitol Lakes Independent Living

    Capitol Lakes Independent Living sits right in downtown Madison, Wisconsin, and is known for its continuing care retirement community status, so folks living there can move between independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing if their needs change over time, which really saves some worry. The community has a 3.5-star review rating, meaning most residents and families report a good experience, and you'll see men and women both living here. People have access to private and semi-private apartments, including 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and even large apartments over 2,000 square feet, so you do get a lot of choice and there's space for everyone, and you can bring your own style into each room, plus all the rooms come with cable TV, internet, kitchenettes, air conditioning, and private baths with wheelchair accessible showers.

    For care, the campus is really set up for aging in place; there are nurses on staff around the clock, doctors on call, licensed vocational nurses, and caregivers to help with daily living, and you'll see services like medication help, wound care, and health care staff for everything from dental checkups to speech, occupational, and physical therapy, and you don't even need to leave the building for a podiatrist or home health care, and there are also psychiatrists and psychoanalysts if anyone needs help with their mental health, so you've got a full range of services right there. The memory support program has staff specially trained for dementia care and there's a separate Alzheimer's care unit with about 30 beds, with rooms that are clean and updated and safety measures in place for people who wander or need extra monitoring. Some areas, though, like the assisted living and memory care units, might feel a bit outdated and not as fresh as the newer independent living spaces, but staff is caring and helps residents with anything they need.

    Capitol Lakes makes daily life easier by offering meals with choices like kosher or vegetarian, laundry and cleaning services, and transportation for doctor's visits or shopping, so people don't have to fuss over chores if they don't want to, and there's complimentary beauty and barber services for those who like to look sharp. Residents can stay active using the fitness center, multiple indoor pools in the Aquatic and Wellness Center, and outdoor walking paths and patios, while group classes like yoga and mindfulness sessions help keep both bodies and minds in shape. There are wide elevators and doorways for wheelchairs, and the staff help people get around the campus. There's parking, but a lot of folks like the community transport or buses for outings.

    Food is served in two on-campus restaurants with a professional chef making meals from organic ingredients, and people eat together, which builds up the community feeling, and there are social and activity rooms, a library, organized day trips, and plenty of games, art shows, and clubs like sports and hobbies, so there's always something to do for those who want to join in and meet new people. Pets are allowed in the independent living apartments, and the staff tries to run things so people feel welcome and connected. Safety features and a 24-hour call system bring peace of mind, and people who need extra help or short-term stays, like after surgery, can get skilled nursing or rehab recovery right on site.

    The community is affiliated with the Wisconsin Alumni Association and Pacific Retirement Services, which is a point of pride for some people, and their CCRC entrance fee program gives residents a way to plan for care as they age. There's also an option for direct admission into assisted living, which isn't common in downtown Madison, so that sets Capitol Lakes apart. Housekeeping, linen services, internet and cable, and outings are all part of daily life, and people here try to make the most of their retirement years in a place set up to support activity, health, and friendships throughout all stages of getting older.

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