Azura Memory Care & Assisted Living in Brookfield

My dad was only at Azura of Brookfield, in assisted living, for 5 months. But I have experience with several other facilities, both memory care and assisted living, so I wanted to share our experience since selecting a facility for your loved one is so very difficult. I think Azura is probably a good choice for able-bodied, relatively mobile residents; the facility is designed oddly for accessibility for walkers and wheelchairs. There are multiple buildings, so residents have to go outside in the winter/rain to attend an event in another building. The back patio is not paved, nor is there a wheelchair-assist on the back door to that patio (I believe only the front door has the button to open the door). Several paths are gravel. And the oddest of all - rows of bushes planted one foot from the apartment windows block the views of anything but shrubbery and sky if you are seated. Small things... but little things like that make a big difference if moving about the world is already challenging. In our experience, the assisted living side is not set up to handle residents who need more physical help. My dad was ultimately in a wheelchair and needed a hoyer lift to move from bed to chair, and we were constantly told that they did not have the staff ratios to be able to help him as needed. Ultimately my dad was put on hospice care, also through Azura. The hospice nurse was excellent. Otherwise the program seems new and undeveloped. Communication was infrequent and unclear, and not always coordinated with the staff in the building. After my father passed away we never heard from the hospice social worker. (My mom passed away 20 months ago and I still hear from her hospice provider, checking in on us.) I would also recommend you read the contract carefully and compare it to other facilities. In previous senior living facilities, when my parents were in the hospital, we only paid the RENT portion of the fees, which makes sense to me since they aren't receiving

After a brief two-month period spent in an assisted living facility, we realized my mother needed much more day to day assistance with her progressing Alzheimer's Dementia that we had originally thought. Azura was a facility that was recommended by the social workers at her previous assisted living facility, along with the statement that "Azura does not frequently have openings" and that Azura was one of the best facilities in the greater Milwaukee Area for a CBRF. My mother moved into the Mierow Home, which is one of their two memory care homes. Even though it is a CBRF, the rooms are have a feel similar to a studio apartment and the Mierow home itself has a residential feel, and less of a hospital feel. I had a very positive experience working with Valerie Beyer, Executive Director, who answered my calls and text messages when I had questions in regards to my mom. Shortly after my mom moved into Mierow Home, a new assistant executive director started that oversaw the home, Ameerah. Ameerah has been an amazing point person at Mierow Home and is incredibly supportive to my mom. I message with Ameerah almost daily, and she takes the time to answer my questions in depth, as well as ask me questions so she can better understand my mom, both on a personal level and a health level. I know she makes my mom feel safe and comfortable, and I appreciate the extreme amount of patience Ameerah has with my mom. She is very personable and calm, and my mom tells me all the time how great Ameerah is! I interact less one-on-one with the home’s caregivers, but appreciate the time they spend caring for my mom firsthand and the patience they demonstrate towards her. The Nurse, Maritza, and Nurse Practitioner, Carrie are responsive to my mom’s health needs – medications, behaviors, and physical needs. It was important to provide a full health history for my mom because they did not seem to have access to her electronic medical records (like Froedtert, Aurora, or ProHealth Care would). A

Azura has been an amazing new chapter in my dad's life. Since moving him in April, he is truly "living his best life". The rooms are large and warmly inviting to help make it feel more like home. The staff have been attentive and friendly to him and to our family when visiting. The activity director (Jessica) is a true gem at Azura. Her connection with my dad and other residents is unmatched. He loves participating in games and music, working in the garden and going on outings, all of which keep him active, occupied and very happy. It has given our family comfort knowing he is so cared for. Thank you to the entire staff for everything you do.