Capitol Lakes Health Center
Meets baseline Medicare standards with room for improvement. A tour and talking to current residents' families is the best next step.
based on 36 Google reviews
Watch Capitol Lakes Health Center
Get an email when new inspections, ratings, or penalties are published for this facility.
We’ll only email you about this — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
What this means for your family
Capitol Lakes is highly regarded for its independent living amenities and skilled rehab therapy, making it a strong choice for short-term recovery. However, families should exercise caution regarding the health center; specifically, ask for a clear communication plan and how they secure personal belongings, as these have been recurring points of concern for families.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
36 reviews on Google“Capitol Lakes is a large Continuing Care Retirement Community that receives high praise from independent living residents for its amenities, downtown location, and dining options. However, the health center and rehab sections have faced serious allegations from family members regarding communication failures, understaffing, and unprofessional conduct, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- High-quality physical therapy and rehab services
- Excellent dining and restaurant-style meals
- Prime downtown location with active community life
- Warm and attentive staff (frequently noted in independent living)
Concerns
- Poor communication with families regarding resident care (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
- Allegations of theft or missing personal property (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
- Understaffing in assisted living and health center areas (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 40 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1Given the facility's downtown location, what specific opportunities do residents have to engage with the broader community or participate in local events?
- 2I noticed that the health inspection ratings are currently lower than the staffing ratings; what specific steps is the leadership team taking to improve those inspection outcomes?
- 3How do you ensure consistent and proactive communication with family members regarding a resident's daily health status and care plan updates?
- 4With the excellent reputation of your physical therapy and rehab services, how are those programs integrated into the daily routine for residents who need ongoing support?
- 5What protocols do you have in place to ensure the security of residents' personal belongings and property within their rooms?
- 6I appreciate that you are very active in responding to feedback online; how do you use that family input to make tangible changes to the care environment?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The physical rehab was top notch, the staff were warm and welcoming and I feel very fortunate to have my rehab at such a 5 star facility.”
“I chose Capitol Lakes due to the fact that my surgeons patients chose this facility quite often because they were aware of the surgeons protocol.”
“The mis communication or lack of is horrible . I would not recommend this rehab place to anyone.”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026This facility meets the national staffing benchmarks. Higher staffing is linked to fewer falls and better day-to-day care.
Quality Measures
Quality Measures
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 15 measures
11
measures
2
measures
2
measures
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents with a long-term catheter
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
Capitol Lakes Health Center shows persistent deficiencies across care areas including fire safety, medication management, and care quality, with families filing complaints about pain management and pressure ulcer care. The facility has 48 deficiencies across 4 surveys, with recurring issues in fire safety systems and electrical compliance appearing in multiple inspections despite reported corrections, suggesting ongoing operational challenges.
Mar 10, 2026Routine11
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide basic life support, including CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel , subject to physician orders and the resident’s advance directives.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Egress Deficiencies
Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have power receptacles that are properly grounded.
Egress Deficiencies
Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Services Deficiencies
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.
Nov 6, 2024Routine16
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate foot care.
Egress Deficiencies
Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Services Deficiencies
Install properly constructed and protected linen or trash chutes.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Egress Deficiencies
Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Nov 6, 2024Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Oct 5, 2023Routine13
Construction Deficiencies
Meet requirements for sections of health care facilities separated by fire resistive construction.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times.
Smoke Deficiencies
Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
Egress Deficiencies
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that corridors are separated from use areas by walls constructed to limit the passage of smoke.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
Jun 21, 2023Complaint2
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Capitol Lakes Health Center
nonprofit
Chain Affiliation
Pacific Retirement Services
10 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 4.6/5 · Rank 9 of 10 (Worst)
Ownership & Management
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.
References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
36 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit capitollakes.org
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
EveryPlace is a research directory. Facility information is compiled from public sources — Medicare.gov, state licensing portals, Google Places, and publicly available street-level imagery. Listings do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or advertisement, and we do not accept payment for placement. Families should verify all details directly with the facility and the original sources linked above before making any care decisions. See our Research Policy for our editorial standards, correction process, and image-removal policy.
Nearby Alternatives
Capitol Lakes
< 1 miAssisted Living · Madison, WI
Ridge at Madison (the)
3.2 miAssisted Living · Fitchburg, WI
Women in Transition
3.4 miAssisted Living · Madison, WI
Renaissance Senior Living of Hilldale
3.6 miAssisted Living · Madison, WI
Harbor at Renaissance (the)
3.6 miAssisted Living · Madison, WI
Waterford at Fitchburg (the)
3.9 miAssisted Living · Fitchburg, WI