Azura Memory Care of Eau Claire, found in Altoona, Wisconsin, is a medium-sized, 20-bed licensed Community-based Residential Facility built for seniors with memory care needs, dementia, or Alzheimer's disease, and it's especially set up for non-ambulatory residents too-those who can't get around on their own or need mechanical lifts for moving, which takes a special kind of careful attention that the staff's been trained to give under their unique MOSAIC program, and staff are always there, 24 hours a day, with nurses and a doctor on call, so help is never far away. Residents here can pick from several studio room layouts, and the entire place is kept clean, there's no bad smell, and meals are provided-meals you can get at different times, with the kitchen offering vegetarian and special diets like gluten-free to suit all kinds of needs, all set up to focus on keeping seniors healthy as they age in place. The community has indoor and outdoor shared areas, secure memory care sections so people who might wander off can't, and fully wheelchair-accessible showers and tubs, so even those with heavy care needs, like incontinence or diabetic care, are supported, and there are beauty and barber services, podiatry, speech, occupational, and physical therapies, even hospice and respite care if needed, which is a comfort for families.
Staff handle things like medication management and diabetic support, including sliding scale insulin, and Will use technology like alarm bracelets on residents who might wander. There's always activity, and the full-time activity director fills the calendar with stretch classes, art and cooking classes, gardening, trips, karaoke, even intergenerational and pet activities, so folks can stay social, entertained, and moving, even while coping with memory loss; the focus is on keeping people as active and engaged as possible, and the care team uses relationship-based care to understand each person's interests and behaviors, including things like sundowning, anxiety, depression, or the need for reminders to use the restroom. The MOSAIC programming shapes how staff engage with dementia and memory loss, and they use person-centered care, which means staff try to really know the residents, their backgrounds, and what brings joy, using things like Life Story Book Therapy and the Alzheimer's Association's Memories in the Making program to spark memories and engagement, and it all happens with a high staff-to-resident ratio so attention stays personal.
Physical health is watched closely, the onsite nurse and visiting podiatrists or therapists help with regular care, and there's regular communication with physicians-including a house physician option for seniors who want that extra check-in for medical concerns, growing more important as needs change over time. The facility supports aging in place, so seniors don't have to move if care needs increase, and the home-like setting, always kept warm and safe, works to lower confusion and help everyone feel part of a friendly, supportive community. The community welcomes folks with mild to severe memory concerns, and the staff will work with early or late-stage dementia. People say the staff are gentle, responsive, and always there to answer questions or help if a loved one has concerns. Services include standby help with activities like grooming, help with transfers, encouragement for joining activities, and close supervision, especially for those who may act out physically or get lost easily, which can be common in advanced memory loss. The community doesn't allow smoking anywhere inside, keeps the environment secured and tidy, and stays focused on giving everyone as much safety and dignity as possible, all while letting residents remain involved, supported, and respected. The facility's got an average rating of 9.1 out of 10, which lines up with how people describe it as a clean place, with good meals and staff who care, even though the cost is on the high side.
