Independent Living Communities in Albany, MN

"My mother moved to the independent living community of Melrose Park View Place. I liked the staff because they're very professional and friendly. They try to help as much as they can, and I like that. We were there one day when we had a storm issue pop up, and I was really impressed with how fast they were able to get everybody in the main hallways on the main floor so they were safe. That was a big deal to me. I haven't found anything I don't like about the place. I know they check on my mom at least twice a day, but she takes her own medicines. The staff is very caring. I visited her on Friday because we had a little health scare. They called me right away and asked if I wanted to come down and make sure she's okay. I headed over there, and they were there to explain what symptoms she had. They were very helpful. I tasted the food and it was very good. The community is very clean, and they keep it up really well. Everything looks like it's in its place and nice. I like it a lot, and Mom seems to like it too. The layout of the rooms is very easy for the older folks to navigate. They're all very well set up and kept up nicely. They all have windows that you can see out of, and air conditioning, the whole works, so it's very nice. They have an exercise class just about every day of the week except Saturday and Sunday. They've had ice cream socials, music events, and all kinds of stuff like that. Every week there's something. Above all, I do appreciate the staff there. They are very caring, and they're fun to be around. They even joke with the folks who are living there, and they just make it enjoyable. It's a nice place."

"Chateau Waters was very nice. It's clean, homey, and nicely decorated. Everybody seems very friendly. The person who accommodated me was very nice. She showed us all around and answered our questions. The apartments were very nice also. The food looked good and the menu sounded good. I think it's a little more expensive than some of the others I looked at for meals and rent, but it's very nice. They have a lot of things available. They have a bus where they take you shopping or to the grocery store in groups. They offer crafts and card playing. They would take you once in a while to a play or a movie theater, too, although they have their own movie theater on the premises."

"We toured Talamore Senior Living - Saint Cloud. It was fantastic. Everything was just perfect and brand new. The staff was very accommodating and very friendly. The rooms were top notch. They were probably the nicest I have seen out of all the places we visited. They had all kinds of activities. They had workouts, puzzles, and music. This facility would accommodate any stage of assisted living. There was a very warm and very family feeling there."

"We toured Country Manor Campus. The people were very cordial about taking us around and showing us the place. We had a lovely time there. Their restaurant is a public restaurant, so it is different. The public eats there as well. We were in the part that was independent living, and they had some nice big units, which we were interested in. It's a lovely place, and the people are coming and going. They have a shop there where you can buy just about anything you want. There are different sections that are spread out, which is kind of nice. Walking outside would be pleasant; you're not walking around in traffic. It's more like out in the country. There are other stuff around, but it's not as congested. We like that part of it, too. The place is clean, neat, and maintained. When you converse with people who live there, you get a feeling that they're happy and content."

"We've chosen CentraCare - Sauk Centre Lake Shore Estates and we're on a listing list for an available spot. It's for congregate care. It's between independent and assisted living. We like that it's in Sauk Center and it's accessible. It's 10 one-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom, and all have a view of Sauk Lake. You can go to the hospital clinic and nursing home without going outside. The place is more than 20 years old, but it's been immaculately maintained. When people move out, they replace the carpet and paint the walls and whatever else needs to be done. The staff during the tour was very complete and detailed, but he retired on December 1st. There's a continental breakfast and a noon meal and weekly housekeeping. It's electrically heated. Each room has a thermostat. There is a kitchen in each unit. All the units have a view of the lake. It's either one or two bedrooms, a handicapped-accessible bathroom and there are pull chains in case you fall and someone will come from the nursing home and assist you, but you're independent living. They have a lounge and newspapers and there are washers and dryers available on each floor. It's classified as congregate care. You have housekeeping once a week and a continental breakfast and a full meal at noon. Your evening meal, you're on your own. It's old, but perfectly well cared for. The director of the facility is also in charge of what they call environmental services, so he's in charge of housekeeping and food service. His wife is the director of nursing. The food is generally good, and the unit has its own kitchen. Some of the food is prepared right onsite and some come from the hospital kitchen."