Brightstar Senior Living of Waunakee

Brightstar lives up to its name consistently. The entire staff from the director, reception, care team, chef (yes - chef) and housekeeping are warm, friendly and attentive. I moved my father from a traditional nursing home where it was a continual fight for simple requests and I feel I could not have made a better choice than Brightstar. The team at Brightstar is extremely supportive of my fathers needs in his personal care and quality of life through encouraging entertainment and activities. Usually, whom ever opens the door offers an update on my father as I walk in the door - What he ate, his spirits, disposition and any activities hes engaged in for the day. Chef Wade make interesting and delicious fresh food - crab cakes, roast duck, Salisbury steak are some of the dishes Ive tasted and terrific desserts too!They care about the residents families. While on vacation, I received an email almost every day with some update - The peace of mind. As my father declines, it brings new challenges. They communicate regularly and thoughtfully on the current and future steps in his care. Thank you to the entire staff have been amazing advocates and I am grateful. Special mention to Bonnie and Sherry who have been invaluable to me. I highly recommend Brightstar!

Nine months ago I didnt believe that my husbands advanced Alzheimers would allow him to willingly cooperate with others or to, ever again, find joy in anything. His behavior was so difficult that the Director at his first Memory Care facility told me I had to find a new placement for him. I was devastated. I had no idea that Memory Care Centers actually kicked residents out because their dementia was challenging! Then, I found BrightStar Waunakee. This place saved both of us! Under the expert guidance of Bonnie Caldera, Executive Director, BrightStar Memory Care shapes their dementia care around each persons unique needs. The entire staff is respectful and compassionate. Everyone in the building works, as a team, to connect with my husband. The care he receives at BrightStar has been life changing for both of us. Shared walks outside, football throwing, dining together on the patio or dancing to the weekly musical entertainment are some of the ways caregivers have worked to support my husband. The staff clearly understands the importance of building relationships with residents, even those with advanced dementia. Through their patient efforts my husband has more peace in his days. He clearly feels safe and understood. He even smiles, again (and so do I)! Additionally, management & staff have become an invaluable support team for me. They REALLY LISTEN to my concerns and are proactive. I have learned that I can count on their empathy & professional knowledge to help me navigate this heartbreaking dementia journey. I am beyond thankful that I found BrightStar Waunakee. This care facility has a big heart & they know how to share it generously!!!

Horrible place. Always short staffed. Terrible communication between workers and managers. Call lights always goes off for at least 20 minutes on average before someone comes in to help. Food is not that good. Only polite people here are the housekeepers, receptionist, cooks, and very few caretakers. Do not live here unless youre fully independent. There are way better places to go but here.

My husband was hospitalized and we needed to find a home for him in a hurry with memory care and where he could have physical rehab. On a Friday we took a tour of this inviting facility, asked how quickly we could move my husband in, and Liz (community director) went out of her way to make that happen on a weekend. My husband was here for a rehab stay of 5 weeks. Physical therapists and occupational therapists were brought in from an outside source and that worked fine. He would tell you that the best thing at Brightstar was the food. My 'best thing' vote goes to the Brightstar employees (and their pets!). We felt at home in a hurry due to the accommodating, friendly, kind, caring staff.