Rochester, Minnesota, is best known for being the home of the Mayo Clinic, an elite health care facility at the leading edge of research and treatment. However, Minnesota’s third-largest city also has plenty of fun options for tourists and residents alike, including lakes and rivers for boating and beautiful scenic drives to enjoy the countryside. Nearly 15% of the 119,000 residents are 65 years and older, and many of these seniors may be considering their long-term care options.
Assisted living facilities are a popular choice for seniors who have trouble completing the tasks of daily living. They offer a group setting that provides meals and light housekeeping, plus personal care attendants on hand 24-7 to help with grooming, mobility assistance, escorts to meals or events and discreet help in the toilet or shower. The average monthly cost for assisted living in Rochester is $3,105, which may be accessible for many seniors with limited means.
In this guide, we look at the cost of assisted living and elder care in Rochester, as well as provide more information about the city and free resources for seniors and their families.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Rochester, MN
River Bend Senior Living is located in beautiful Rochester, Minnesota, near Zumbro River and local shops and restaurants. Residents enjoy walks along the Zumbro Greenway, and day trips inclu
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River Bend Senior Living is located in beautiful Rochester, Minnesota, near Zumbro River and local shops and restaurants. Residents enjoy walks along the Zumbro Greenway, and day trips include shopping and movie nights. Residents praise the convenience of the on-site beauty and barber shop and stay fit using the state-of-the-art gym or walking the hiking trails surrounding the community. Residents can choose between assisted or independent living studios or apartments, with companion suites available. Visitors appreciate that loved ones have access to an emergency call system for around-the-clock assistance.
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River Bend Senior Living is located in beautiful Rochester, Minnesota, near Zumbro River and local shops and restaurants. Residents enjoy walks along the Zumbro Greenway, and day trips inclu
… (read more)
River Bend Senior Living is located in beautiful Rochester, Minnesota, near Zumbro River and local shops and restaurants. Residents enjoy walks along the Zumbro Greenway, and day trips include shopping and movie nights. Residents praise the convenience of the on-site beauty and barber shop and stay fit using the state-of-the-art gym or walking the hiking trails surrounding the community. Residents can choose between assisted or independent living studios or apartments, with companion suites available. Visitors appreciate that loved ones have access to an emergency call system for around-the-clock assistance.
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Meadow Lakes Senior Living is a facility located in Rochester, Minnesota, with a team of caregivers that are attentive and friendly. The facility offers independent living, assisted living, memory car
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Meadow Lakes Senior Living is a facility located in Rochester, Minnesota, with a team of caregivers that are attentive and friendly. The facility offers independent living, assisted living, memory care and rehabilitation for residents that require speech and physical therapy. Visitors praise the amenities, including an arboretum, art studio and pool, and residents enjoy activities like croquet, music and movies. Seniors praise the facility for its cozy design and the smaller size that allows the staff to get to know residents one-on-one.
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Meadow Lakes Senior Living is a facility located in Rochester, Minnesota, with a team of caregivers that are attentive and friendly. The facility offers independent living, assisted living, memory car
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Meadow Lakes Senior Living is a facility located in Rochester, Minnesota, with a team of caregivers that are attentive and friendly. The facility offers independent living, assisted living, memory care and rehabilitation for residents that require speech and physical therapy. Visitors praise the amenities, including an arboretum, art studio and pool, and residents enjoy activities like croquet, music and movies. Seniors praise the facility for its cozy design and the smaller size that allows the staff to get to know residents one-on-one.
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Shorewood Commons Assisted Living is a beautiful facility off the Cascade Lake Park located in Rochester, Minnesota, offering calming views to soothe residents. The facility offers assisted living in
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Shorewood Commons Assisted Living is a beautiful facility off the Cascade Lake Park located in Rochester, Minnesota, offering calming views to soothe residents. The facility offers assisted living in studio, one bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments. The community offers a personal pendant emergency call system, a formal dining room to enjoy joint meals, and guest rooms for family who would like to stay overnight. Residents can enjoy access to social and education programs, health and wellness programs, a beauty and barber shop, and stop by any of the nearby attractions such as West Circle Drive.
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Shorewood Commons Assisted Living is a beautiful facility off the Cascade Lake Park located in Rochester, Minnesota, offering calming views to soothe residents. The facility offers assisted living in
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Shorewood Commons Assisted Living is a beautiful facility off the Cascade Lake Park located in Rochester, Minnesota, offering calming views to soothe residents. The facility offers assisted living in studio, one bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments. The community offers a personal pendant emergency call system, a formal dining room to enjoy joint meals, and guest rooms for family who would like to stay overnight. Residents can enjoy access to social and education programs, health and wellness programs, a beauty and barber shop, and stop by any of the nearby attractions such as West Circle Drive.
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Charter House – Mayo Clinic Retirement Living is a facility in Rochester, Minnesota affiliated with the highly respected Mayo Clinic. The Charter House has three dining rooms, two private dining
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Charter House – Mayo Clinic Retirement Living is a facility in Rochester, Minnesota affiliated with the highly respected Mayo Clinic. The Charter House has three dining rooms, two private dining rooms, two garden patios and an art gallery. Family members have found the food portions to be generous and the meals delicious. Residents can participate in clubs for biking, photography and books to stay active. Family members like that the facility is well-maintained and nicely decorated. Charter House has skilled, highly experienced staff available around-the-clock. Family members have noted that the staff is friendly and treat the residents well.
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Charter House – Mayo Clinic Retirement Living is a facility in Rochester, Minnesota affiliated with the highly respected Mayo Clinic. The Charter House has three dining rooms, two private dining
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Charter House – Mayo Clinic Retirement Living is a facility in Rochester, Minnesota affiliated with the highly respected Mayo Clinic. The Charter House has three dining rooms, two private dining rooms, two garden patios and an art gallery. Family members have found the food portions to be generous and the meals delicious. Residents can participate in clubs for biking, photography and books to stay active. Family members like that the facility is well-maintained and nicely decorated. Charter House has skilled, highly experienced staff available around-the-clock. Family members have noted that the staff is friendly and treat the residents well.
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Madonna Meadows of Rochester is a senior assisted living provider located southwest of Rochester, Minnesota, and easily accessible via Highway 1. Visitors remark that the facility is well-maintained a
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Madonna Meadows of Rochester is a senior assisted living provider located southwest of Rochester, Minnesota, and easily accessible via Highway 1. Visitors remark that the facility is well-maintained and very clean with friendly staff who know residents by name. The community features an on-site beauty salon, church and various exercise classes. Residents also enjoy movie days, games and rotating entertainment acts that visit the facility. The community has been described as pleasant and modern. Madonna Meadows of Rochester offers an on-site chef and dietitian who collaborate to meet the needs of residents.
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Madonna Meadows of Rochester is a senior assisted living provider located southwest of Rochester, Minnesota, and easily accessible via Highway 1. Visitors remark that the facility is well-maintained a
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Madonna Meadows of Rochester is a senior assisted living provider located southwest of Rochester, Minnesota, and easily accessible via Highway 1. Visitors remark that the facility is well-maintained and very clean with friendly staff who know residents by name. The community features an on-site beauty salon, church and various exercise classes. Residents also enjoy movie days, games and rotating entertainment acts that visit the facility. The community has been described as pleasant and modern. Madonna Meadows of Rochester offers an on-site chef and dietitian who collaborate to meet the needs of residents.
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Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth is a facility located in Rochester, Minnesota which is home to the world-renown Mayo Clinic. Family members have noted how welcoming and friendly the staff is. T
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Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth is a facility located in Rochester, Minnesota which is home to the world-renown Mayo Clinic. Family members have noted how welcoming and friendly the staff is. The facility offers games, movie nights and excursions to regional attractions. Family members have remarked on the convenience of the facility being attached to a nursing home, and that the interior is nicely kept. Residents say that the facility provides excellent morning breakfasts and housekeeping once a week for their convenience.
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Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth is a facility located in Rochester, Minnesota which is home to the world-renown Mayo Clinic. Family members have noted how welcoming and friendly the staff is. T
… (read more)
Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth is a facility located in Rochester, Minnesota which is home to the world-renown Mayo Clinic. Family members have noted how welcoming and friendly the staff is. The facility offers games, movie nights and excursions to regional attractions. Family members have remarked on the convenience of the facility being attached to a nursing home, and that the interior is nicely kept. Residents say that the facility provides excellent morning breakfasts and housekeeping once a week for their convenience.
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I toured the Arbor Terrace Senior Living. What I like best is as my mother fails, they’re going to continue to keep her. They won’t push her out the door. It was amazing. I met other employees, and I
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I toured the Arbor Terrace Senior Living. What I like best is as my mother fails, they’re going to continue to keep her. They won’t push her out the door. It was amazing. I met other employees, and I was welcomed very nicely. It has a clean, safe, and friendly environment. It’s two miles from where I live, it’s within two miles of St. Mary’s Mayo clinic, and it’s right in the area where you can get anything you need.
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I toured the Arbor Terrace Senior Living. What I like best is as my mother fails, they’re going to continue to keep her. They won’t push her out the door. It was amazing. I met other employees, and I
… (read more)
I toured the Arbor Terrace Senior Living. What I like best is as my mother fails, they’re going to continue to keep her. They won’t push her out the door. It was amazing. I met other employees, and I was welcomed very nicely. It has a clean, safe, and friendly environment. It’s two miles from where I live, it’s within two miles of St. Mary’s Mayo clinic, and it’s right in the area where you can get anything you need.
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The Homestead at Rochester is an upscale community in Rochester, Minnesota. The facility offers top-notch independent living, assisted living and memory care services in spacious pet-friendly apartmen
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The Homestead at Rochester is an upscale community in Rochester, Minnesota. The facility offers top-notch independent living, assisted living and memory care services in spacious pet-friendly apartment homes. The Homestead offers several levels of personal care, catering to different needs and individualized support. The facility has a dining room for residents to interact as well as a private dining room for residents to spend time with friends or family. Residents praise the facility’s spa, pool and full service salon. Visitors note the amenities offered from convenient room service to the spacious library where residents can relax together.
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The Homestead at Rochester is an upscale community in Rochester, Minnesota. The facility offers top-notch independent living, assisted living and memory care services in spacious pet-friendly apartmen
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The Homestead at Rochester is an upscale community in Rochester, Minnesota. The facility offers top-notch independent living, assisted living and memory care services in spacious pet-friendly apartment homes. The Homestead offers several levels of personal care, catering to different needs and individualized support. The facility has a dining room for residents to interact as well as a private dining room for residents to spend time with friends or family. Residents praise the facility’s spa, pool and full service salon. Visitors note the amenities offered from convenient room service to the spacious library where residents can relax together.
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Madonna Towers of Rochester is situated on 12 beautifully landscaped acres in the northwest area of Rochester, Minnesota. This facility offers independent and assisted living options, memory care, ski
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Madonna Towers of Rochester is situated on 12 beautifully landscaped acres in the northwest area of Rochester, Minnesota. This facility offers independent and assisted living options, memory care, skilled nursing care, respite care and home health services for seniors. The community receives high marks from residents and their loved ones for its cleanliness, friendly and caring staff and the well-organized layout. Residents enjoy a variety of activities such as Bible study, happy hour, exercise classes and ping-pong tournaments, and a van is available to take them on group outings for shopping, events and visiting local restaurants.
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Madonna Towers of Rochester is situated on 12 beautifully landscaped acres in the northwest area of Rochester, Minnesota. This facility offers independent and assisted living options, memory care, ski
… (read more)
Madonna Towers of Rochester is situated on 12 beautifully landscaped acres in the northwest area of Rochester, Minnesota. This facility offers independent and assisted living options, memory care, skilled nursing care, respite care and home health services for seniors. The community receives high marks from residents and their loved ones for its cleanliness, friendly and caring staff and the well-organized layout. Residents enjoy a variety of activities such as Bible study, happy hour, exercise classes and ping-pong tournaments, and a van is available to take them on group outings for shopping, events and visiting local restaurants.
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Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in the Rochester
Since most COVID-19 rules for Assisted Living Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Assisted Living in MN. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Rochester
The Minnesota Department of Health issues licenses for assisted living facilities in the state and conducts regular inspections of the facilities, including checking the credentials of all staff members. To obtain and retain licensure, assisted living facilities just pass an annual inspection of the cleanliness and accessibility of the facility.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Rochester
Minnesota winters are known for being cold and snowy, and Rochester is no exception. The city averages 48 inches of snow per year, compared to the national average of 28 inches, and January lows are just 5 degrees. However, summers and fall are quite pleasant, with July highs of 82 and 180 days of sunshine per year.
The cost of living in Rochester is 94.1, compared to 100 for the nation overall. Housing and grocery costs are very close to the national median, while health care is slightly lower, 92.1. Seniors with limited income may be able to stretch their dollars further here than in other parts of the state.
Minnesota taxes all forms of retirement income, including withdrawals from retirement accounts which seniors may wish to keep in mind when planning for their retirement.
Seniors in Rochester can feel secure knowing that the crime rates in the city are below the national average, just 11.0 compared to 22.7 for violent crimes and 32.5 compared to 34.5 for property crimes.
Elderly Rochester residents have plenty of choices for health care in the city, as there are 1,194 doctors per 100,000 residents here. The national average is 210 for every 100,000 residents.
Paying for Assisted Living in Rochester
The average monthly fee for assisted living in Rochester is $3,105, according to the Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey 2020. This is significantly less than the Minnesota average of $4,283 and the national average of $4,300.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
The median costs for assisted living vary widely among Minnesota cities, and Rochester is one of the most budget-friendly, at $3,105. Minneapolis, the largest city in the state, is one of the most expensive, at $4,797 per month, with only Mankato, in the southern part of the state, being pricier, $4,968. Duluth, in the north, is close in cost to Rochester at $3,221, while St. Cloud, in the west, is the least expensive at $2,723 per month.
$3105
Rochester
$4283
Michigan
$4300
The United States
$4797
Minneapolis
$3221
Duluth
$2723
St. Cloud
$4968
Mankato
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Seniors in Rochester have plenty of options for long-term care depending on their needs and degree of independence. Adult day care is generally less since participants return home at night, although the cost for this type of care is unavailable. Nursing home care is the most expensive due to the high level of medical care given to residents and the increased personal care. Semi-private rooms are $9,730, while private ones are $11,558. Seniors who wish to age in place at home may choose to hire homemaker services for help around the house, which average $5,434 per month, or a home health aide for light medical care, $6,101 per month.
$5434
Homemaker Services
$6101
Home Health Aide
$3105
Assisted Living Facility
$9730
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
$11558
Nursing Home Facility (private room)
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Rochester
Minnesota seniors in need of financial aid for assisted living costs may be covered through Medical Assistance (MA), the state’s Medicaid option. In addition to this plan, Medicaid offers three waiver programs. Seniors who are not qualified for Medicaid may be able to receive funding through another state program such as the Minnesota Consumer Support Grant (CSG).
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
Veterans Benefits
Life Insurance Policy
Long-Term Care Insurance
Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Minnesota page.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Rochester
There are free resources in Rochester to help seniors transition into assisted living and to make sure they have the health care, financial assistance, and legal assistance they need during their stay. Below are some of the popular resources in and around the city.
The SEMAA serves 13 counties in the southeast part of the state and provides services for older residents to help them retain their independence and gain access to different programs for health and wellness and financial assistance. Representatives of this agency can connect seniors to the right agencies for finding long-term care, paying for assisted living and obtaining health care or resources for caregivers and families.
Long-term care ombudsmen are advocates for residents of long-term care communities, including assisted living. They can help families find the right facility for themselves or a loved one by giving unbiased assessments and investigating complaints made by residents, alerting the right oversight body if needed. People who need help applying to live in an assisted living home or who need a hand through the transition process may also get help.
LSS outreach workers can help older adults find long-term care and serve as court-appointed guardians for those unable to make decisions concerning their health care and finances. For older adults who still have the capacity to make these decisions, the LSS can serve as a resource for finding senior care and applying for health care and Social Security.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Rochester
Rochester-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Minnesota are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Minnesota page for more information about these laws.
My sister-in-law has moved into Shorewood Senior Campus. It's a very friendly atmosphere. It's cheerful, but it's not quite modern industrial like some of the newer places are. It's a little more h...
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Review of The Waters on Mayowood
My mom has been in The Waters on Mayowood for a few months now. Her experience has been great, and it's a wonderful community. Her room is pretty typical for that level of care. The maintenance is ...
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Review of The Homestead at Rochester
We have chosen The Homestead at Rochester. We thought it was a very nice community. We were very pleased with the responsiveness of the people there. The marketing director was very, very accommoda...
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The decision to help an aging adult move out of a current home is a complex one -- both emotionally and practically. Above all, you want the person to be safe and well. How can you all feel more co...
The first step to finding the best senior housing for your loved one is to understand what type of care facility is the best fit. There are six main types of residential elder care options:
_[Inde...
As you're weighing senior care options for your loved one, cost is likely a top factor. The good news? Depending on what care your loved one needs, assisted living can be much more affordable than ...
If you're shopping for assisted living, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the levels of care, as the monthly rate for assisted living will depend on the level of care that the resident requi...
