The Best Independent Living Communities in Hennepin County, MN

Woodlake at New Hope provides a seamless continuum of care tailored to meet your needs at every stage of life. From independent and assisted living apartments to advanced care options, we offer the perfect blend of comfort and support. Our Woodlake Residences feature independent and assisted living with flexible levels of care, accommodating both private pay options and Medicaid Elderly Waiver. For those requiring advanced care, Woodlake Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center offers specialized services, including short-term rehabilitation for recovery and long-term care for those seeking a permanent home. Discover compassionate care and a community that feels like home at Woodlake at New Hope. To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit: Minnesota Health Care Provider Directory

"We toured Brookdale Edina. The person sitting at the front desk had been there 15 years, which we thought was a positive thing. There were other people that made indications that the staff there had longevity, which meant it was a positive place to work. We also liked the rooms that we saw. We looked at two rooms, a studio apartment and a one-bedroom. They looked clean, and they smelled clean. They were ready to live in, too. We weren't shown a room that needed a bunch of work. We liked the ratio of the staff to their patients. We were told it was five to one. It is one staff member for every five residents, which is really high. We appreciated the help that we received from the young man who gave the tour, not just on the tour day, but in the follow-up that he did with us and the help he then provided us as we were trying to close the deal in a timely fashion. He worked really hard for us. Even though it didn't work, he still really gave his all, and I really appreciated that. I can't say there was anything we didn't like at Brookdale Edina. It was our first choice, it was our first tour, and we really wanted to have my sister be a fit there, but it isn't going to work. One other thing that we like is that it's connected to Edinborough Park, so there's often something happening, and so it doesn't feel so isolated like a lot of homes do. It is really nice. I would live there."

"My parents moved into Haven Wood in June 2023. Sadly, my mom passed away that fall, and I was initially concerned about how my dad would manage living on his own. Fortunately, he truly loves it at Haven Wood. The facility and rooms are top-notch, and my dad can’t say enough good things about the food — both the quality and variety are excellent. He especially appreciates the willingness of the kitchen staff to accommodate "off-menu" requests, which makes meals feel more personal and enjoyable. While there has been quite a bit of staff turnover, everyone has been exceptionally kind and attentive to my dad, and I’m deeply grateful for the care he’s received."

"I liked Havenwood of Richfield really well. I just didn't like it being on the other side of the river from me. The rooms were quite spacious, but the kitchens were probably a third of what the apartment was. For a one-bedroom apartment, it is kind of ridiculous to have the kitchen be so huge when they're providing two meals a day. I just felt that they could have had more living space. The living room/dining area was tiny. There was no living space. It's all kitchen. Everything was clean, neat, and well-organized. The staff was very friendly. Their social activities director's dad lived there. I think that's a pretty awesome statement that the staff would want or have their family members living there."

"We had my mom ready to go into Cornerstone Assisted Living, but we'd have to put her into memory care there. Having seen other memory cares, it's probably the best one but that's a drastic change, and it's not an environment I would want to put my mother in at this point. It's a very nice community, and the assisted living was beautiful. We toured the assisted area where they have a dining area, a solarium and activities. It was very nice. My mom would have to be sent down into the lower level, which they lock up unless family comes. It's a newer community, but the memory care rooms were pretty small, which my mother doesn't like. They also wouldn't allow pets, and that was a big deal for her too, and that was probably the last straw for her. From what I understand, it's normal for any memory care community."

"I toured Elim Shores. I like the price of the unit. And it was located by a lake, so that was another plus for me. It also had the capability of having assisted living, and you would stay in your own unit, and not move, so it has services where you live. Also, they would take a program in Minnesota called elderly waiver. They have three meals a day. You have the option of buying a meal plan. You didn't have to buy all three meals. You could pay as you go or buy a reduced ticket group. I like the availability of meals and I like the availability of assisted living and elderly waivers. As life changes for me, I will probably need all of those. They have underground garage parking, which is ideal in Minnesota. There's a beauty shop, and of course, crafts and church services, so all of that was appealing. They have units that view the lake. If financially you could afford them, then you could live there. I had a taste of their barbecue, and it was okay. They have a dock, so those who would like to fish that would be available. They were planning to buy a pontoon, so there would be rides in the water. I think they have a bus and take people out in outings."

"Havenwood of Maple Grove seemed very nice. They didn't have the unit that I wanted available. So, I kind of didn't go back there. The rooms were nice. There were some things that I didn't like. There weren't many closets. I didn't meet very many people, but the person who gave the tour was very nice. It was clean."

Situated in a lovely natural setting, but located close to many local community conveniences and entertainment options, Okalee of Medina provides the best of both worlds, along with the time, confidence and security to fully enjoy it all. Okalee is dedicated to each community members well-being with the expertise and support of warm, caring professionals. INDEPENDENT LIVING Independent Living at Okalee is designed to manage the maintenance of every day life, giving residents time to focus on family, friends and passions as well as making new memories. Spacious apartments with full kitchens including appliances, washer/dryer, ample closet space, large windows, many with balconies Life enrichment activities such as clubs, educational events, trips, guest speakers and more Utilities, basic cable, Wi-Fi Grounds/building maintenance Access to chef-prepared meals three times daily Scheduled transportation Staff members on site 24 hours a day Emergency contact system in bathrooms ASSISTED LIVING Assisted Living can provide the support, conveniences and tailored services needed to maintain as much independence as possible. Keeping transitions in mind, Okalee of Medina offers personal care that improves quality of life. Spacious apartments with full kitchens including appliances, washer/dryer, ample closet space, large windows, many with balconies Life enrichment activities Utilities, basic cable, Wi-Fi Grounds/building maintenance Access to chef-prepared meals three times daily Scheduled transportation Staff members on site 24 hours a day Help with activities of daily living and medical care that can include: Housekeeping, linens Daily safety checks Regular vital sign checks Medication management Bathing assistance Morning/evening cares CARE SUITES In our care suites, residents can receive 24-hour care. Staff members are trained to provide focused, individualized attention to those with increased needs due to specific conditions. Choices in suite or one-bedroom private apartments Central living and dining room Access to three delicious and nutritious meals served daily Personal pendant with 24-hour emergency call Housekeeping, personal laundry and linen change as needed Utilities (except phone), including satellite television Wi-Fi Scheduled social, spiritual and recreational activities Health services which may include: Initial assessment Ongoing nurse monitoring and personal care staff on duty 24 hours a day Licensed nurses available 7 days a week, RN on-call 24 hours a day Vital signs checks Assistance with activities of daily living Safety and comfort checks Building escorts Nursing care as ordered by a medical provide MEMORY CARE Memory Care at Okalee is a welcoming living environment for those with Alzheimers disease and other forms of memory loss. Residents move about freely but securely in an area with simple home-like furnishings and a calming atmosphere. Private suite with private bathroom Meals served in dining room and enjoyed with other community members Community kitchen with activities for members Outdoor, secure memory garden with walking paths and seating areas RN assessment to determine abilities Specially trained staff with ongoing education each year Tailored plan of care: Enhances communication Encourages emotion and personality Celebrates ability To learn more about this providers license and review other available state reports, please visit: Minnesota Health Care Provider Directory

"I toured Rose Arbor & Wildflower Lodge. The facility is clean. The people are friendly. The price is very inexpensive. They have got a lot of amenities that they can do. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. I like their setup for the bedrooms. They have a nice big bedroom with a nice closet with kitchen amenities. The atmosphere felt serene."

"We toured Havenwood of Burnsville. It was nice. The room was a studio; it is what it is. We were hoping for something a little bigger with a bedroom, but other than that, it's fine. The staff was professional. The dining area was clean and spacious."

"My dad moved into Benedictine Windermere Way. When you walk into it, it is so inviting. They always have fresh coffee and water there, and the staff is pleasant. The food was great. The facility is very clean. There's an activity calendar, and there's always something going on. They have bingo, and they have a bar place. They have a movie night. They play cards. They play left and right, and they play dice. They have a puzzle room, a library room, and a workout room. My dad has a studio, and I was impressed that he had a stove, a fridge, and lots of cupboards in the studio. They have a huge chapel. It's spacious, friendly, well-kept, and they have security."

"I toured Gable Pines. They can't take my wife because she is non-ambulatory. It's a fine place and the staff was very helpful. I didn't look at a room because we didn't get that far when they found out what kind of care my wife would need, but that's okay. The dining area was nice."

"I toured Ecumen Seasons at Maplewood. It has a continuum of care, in other words, if I can manage it in independent living, I can and if I need more help, I can add more services. So, it's not either or. It's more flexible in terms of what services I have to take. Plus, I can stay in the same unit even if I need to add care. I don't have to move to another section of the building if I go from independent to assisted living. It's a beautiful place. There's a huge walking path out in front and they have a walking club. And in the summer I like to walk. But the continuum of care was the biggest for me in my choice. They have an opening now, but I have to get my house cleaned out. So they said that they'll have openings in the fall. They know I'm coming then. The staff are caring and helpful."

"I went to Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley. The place had a very welcoming atmosphere from the time I walked in and every time I contacted them and went back subsequently. Since my mom lives in Florida, I had to take pictures to bring down to her and show her. They are very accommodating and able to walk through what I want. And the neighborhood just felt like what she wanted to live in. They offer one-bedroom apartments. There are lots of different daily activities. There are things if she needs it, like the meals if she wants it. It just fit for what we were looking for. And we're not paying for things that she currently doesn't need. That was one of my biggest things. I didn't want to pay for meals if my mom wasn't going to use them. And that was the other one I had that was included. It was more expensive and we couldn't opt out of the daily meals, which I'm like well, she's not going to eat. She still cooks for herself."