VOA Care Centers, Minnesota

We chose Elder Homestead at the time due to the location, availability, and when we were interviewing, the staff all seemed friendly. They did say he would be able to stay, but while we were out of town they told us he would not be able to stay there anymore because they could not accommodate his falls even though this was nothing new for him. There was not much of any explanation, we had 48 hours to move all of his things out. We were not happy with the way we had to leave and how they handled it.

We have enjoyed our stay here. The surroundings are comfortable and we feel safe here. The food is decent but could be improved. There are many activities available if desired. There is generally a warm atmosphere and we appreciate the ability for spiritual services. I would recommend this place.

Mom has only been here a short time and I am happy with how the staff are trying to help with her transition. The community is clean and she says the food is very good. This community accepts medicaid.

My parents are doing well at this community. They have adjusted well and I am pleased. The community is clean, and their apartment is nice. The staff are taking good care of my parents, but their communication with me could be better. My parents enjoy the meals, the food is pretty nice. They are happy and I would recommend this community.

First impression is everything. I think they could do better at keeping the windows clean when you first come in. I've noticed some staff don't speak very good English. The person that helped with getting my loved one into the place was wonderful to work with and very helpful. I know the food was good. I know they've recently changed, so we'll see what happens to the quality.

The medication management could be better, as the staff could be giving my loved one's medication in person and watching my loved one take their medications. My loved one is bummed as the main nurse is leaving and there has been some additional staff turned over. It would be nice to see the community have a transportation for outings, shopping, lunches, and doctor appointments.

Elder Homestead is a big house that looked to be falling apart. The rooms were small and depressing. The staff were friendly and great with their follow up, but it was just not the right fit.

[name removed]gave us a thorough tour. Homestead is having problems with staff shortages. They do not allow residents to stay in apartments if they transition from Independent to Assisted Living. Also residents are not allowed to stay if private funds run out after 2+ years.

The staff members at Elder Homestead made sure to interact the residents from the memory care and assisted living together, instead of doing things separate. The rooms are adequate, we would say about a four out of five. We would recommend this community to a family or friend.

Overall footprint of the facility was large and a bit overwhelming for my mother, lots of walking to get from an apt to garbage, mail, other activities. Hallways were a bit dark but the residents decorate their door space to try and make it more light and inviting. 1 bedroom apt was very nice, she loved the balcony and sun room. May consider after we look at a few more.

Accepts public funding (medicare) after '1'yr private pymts. Toured 29OCT - 50/20 asst/mem units. studio & 1br. in residential neighborhood, by park, nice views.

I was pleased with the appearance of the place but kinda seems discombobulated at times. I'm sure they are working on the issues. Like the time that my mom and others wait on their food it has been up to 25 mins just waiting on the food. But when she gets it, it is good. The staff is helpful. It is kept clean and the grounds are well maintained. She enjoys the activities like playing cards and games. They had a fundraiser not long ago that was lots of fun and the directors were welcoming . I would recommend this community.

This community was clean and the people we met were nice. This community, unfortunately seemed more like a hospital and not a very active community. We were looking for something a little more active.

This is a nice community. It had a good and bad points. My tour went well, but they did not have some things I wanted. I needed a community with laundry services, and also one that allowed pets. This is a nice community, but it wasn't the one for me.

I have found that the " Homestead of Maplewood" does a pretty good job of engaging their Memory Care people in activities during the week. They have a lot of people who come in and entertain the residents. Which is wonderful. The thing I find most frustrating is on the week- ends - their staff is so much younger and they don't pay attention to what is going on with the residents. My sister's Walker has disappeared for the second time in the 7 weeks, she has been there. It has been gone for 6 days this time. It has her name and her apartment number on.

When we toured The Homestead it was very chaotic. There was only one receptionist and she was having to do all the covid screening, they could definitely use another person up at the front to help out. The facility itself was too large for our loved one.

During COVID I wouldn't recommend this community. The isolation and lack of community for our loved one wasn't good. They did allow virtual visits. The in person visits were very sporadic and not set up very well. This didn't make it comfortable for everyone.

In May 2019 a new Assisted Living Administrator & Clinical Director were hired. Less than a week of the new AL Administrator's start date a letter instructing the residents to use their pendants for emergencies only was distributed. If a resident has a "non-emergency", residents were instructed to either call the concierge (front desk) or walk to the desk & tell the staff what they need. (The assisted living residents live on both the first & second floors of Palmview.) Some of the nurses are extremely dedicated & caring, but it seems like working double shifts are becoming more frequent. Now that Palmview is fully occupied, it seems like no add'l staff have been added to assist all of the residents in a timely manner. I am giving the care services rating based on the new AL Administrator's pendant policy, not the actual care provided by the nursing staff. The nursing staff is doing the best they can to assist and provide care for the residents.

The nurse manager is constantly belittling and degrading staff; the caring staff don't stay long. She disregards resident/patient requests. Several times we have reported Mom did not receive pain meds, yet nurse manager claims they were given, while Mom endures intolerable pain. We were unable to find out what happened to meds ordered for Mom yet not given to her; somehow they "disappeared". This nurse manager is very rude and dismissive. Mom had been at this facility for over a year and we were finally able to move her to a much better facility with caring staff, proper medication administration.

Mom has been there about 2 years. Everything was great for about 14 months. Change in upper management sunk the ship. There are no employees there from 2 years ago. The temps they are using do not Care!!! It was a month of no showers, no crushed medicine, no laundry, ect. The lobby has NO one at counter to let anyone in or help anyone. Price keeps going up . This is the memory care side. Moving to [facility removed].