The Best Senior Living Communities in Waconia, MN

"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 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."

"My friend has moved into Brookdale Eden Prairie. The thing I liked about it was that even though it was on a holiday when we first walked in there, we were able to view this. It was also a very short-staffed day, but the staff members (except the person who was manning the front desk) were all engaged with all of the residents, and that was the one thing we were looking for. Every place that my friend had been before, he always said, 'I'm always alone. Nobody talks to me.' So we wanted to make sure that he had someone that would be there to talk to him. I'm not going to say that my friend is happy because he'd much rather be at home, but he is content at Brookdale. And he feels like there are people that are there to talk to him and to help him when he needs help. The staff members have been helpful. It was a difficult decision to move him, but they're all extremely kind. They've been going out of their way to make sure that my friend is very comfortable where he is. I would recommend Brookdale to anyone who is looking. I haven't tried their food, but my husband has. The first day that he was over there with our friend, they brought out a nice fish dinner for them to enjoy. My husband said it was wonderful. He was pretty pleased. He said it was excellent. The chef came out and brought the meal to them so that he could meet them and say, 'I just wanted you to know that this is how he will be fed when he's here.' Their building is very homey. They have the areas for the residents set up more like individual apartments so that the people don't feel like they're just stuck in a room. It's one room and a bathroom, but they have the resident's name and a room number on each door so that they make it very personalized for them. They have every kind of activity you would want to do. They have rooms where you can put together puzzles, where you can color, and where you can play instruments. And If some of the female residents feel like they want baby dolls for them to hold, they have a room for that, too. They also have a couple of different outside areas that are still secured. They can go out, get fresh air and sit. And they have areas where they can plant. With regard to value for money, any type of assisted living is going to be expensive, but Brookdale would do everything that it can to bring that cost down to help them so that families can afford to have good care for their loved ones, so I think it's worth what is being paid for."

Epiphany Care Homes – Cardinal Road, located at 3704 Cardinal Road in Minnetonka, Minnesota, offers residential-style assisted living and memory care in a warm, homelike environment on a neighborhood scale. Founded by a registered nurse and designed as an alternative to larger facilities, this community provides 24‑hour care delivered by a high caregiver-to-resident ratio and the support of licensed nursing staff. The home features private and semi-private suites, each equipped with kitchenettes, private bathrooms, climate control, Wi‑Fi, cable, and emergency call systems. Shared spaces include cozy commons, fenced outdoor gardens, and accessible interiors, fostering a sense of community, autonomy, and comfort. Epiphany Care Homes delivers a holistic, resident-centered approach. Customized care plans are tailored to each individual's physical, mental, and psychosocial needs. Services include assistance with daily living, medication management, incontinence care, diabetes and memory-care support, hospice coordination, and licensed nursing staff available 24/7. Wellness and engagement are emphasized through therapy and spa services, spiritual care including daily reflections, memory-enhancing activities, and social/educational programming designed to foster interaction and engagement. The community’s smaller size (about six units) and licensed capacity of seven create a structured yet supportive environment that promotes autonomy and connection. Located in a Minnetonka residential neighborhood, Epiphany Care Homes offers easy access to nearby medical facilities, pharmacies, parks, and community amenities. Families consistently report a warm, compassionate culture centered on resident dignity, personalized attention, and safety — making it feel like a home rather than an institution. To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit: Minnesota Health Care Provider Directory

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

"Brookdale Plymouth would've been our first choice, except for the distance that my dad would have to drive to go see my mom. They were top. They had the most interesting, pretty interior. It looked like a little street in a town and the offices of the staff all looked like little shops along the street. It was really unique. The residents' rooms were just beyond that, but they could walk around. They had a chef that did all their cooking and they sent us home with a little container with some treats in it. They have activities daily, and it was quite a variety. Their prices were comparable, but they were probably number one on our list except for the distance. They had nice companion rooms. It did not look like a hospital at all. You either had a private room that was just like a studio apartment and they were just real small, or if they were a double room, there was definite separation. This side of the room is for this resident and that side of the room is for the other one, and there was a bathroom in between that they shared. For memory care, they definitely would visualize and see their spaces over there. One of them was even L-shaped, so that one resident got one part of the L and the other resident got the other side. There was definite separation and that was nice, and at a discounted rate because it was a room for two people."

"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 Chapel View Senior Health & Living Senior Living Community. It seemed very nice. The staff was very friendly. I didn't spend a lot of time there, but what I saw, I thought was really good."

"Knollwood Place Apartments were very good and excellent. The staff and people were extremely friendly. We felt very welcomed, and the apartment was what we were looking for and had just been redone. They had a long list of activities and served meals. The place and the hallways were clean. They had different classes if you needed them. The rooms were adequate in size."

"Rooms vary from studio to 2 bedrooms. They are nice. There are some newly renovated rooms too. The staff at Roitenberg are wonderful. There are a variety of activities and outings. The aides are very warm and caring. There are nurses available. The housing director is available and extremely helpful."

Suite Living of Maple Grove Assisted Living consists of a simplified, safe and secure floor plan with 18-20 private suites all on one floor to maximize our residents independence as they navigate their way around their community setting. All the main common spaces including the dining room are in close proximity to each suite. Our Assisted Living care model focuses on increased care needs with the residents activities of daily living. This allows our residents to age in place in the suite they moved into through end of life. Residents with the diagnosis of Alzheimers or Dementia thrive in environments where they feel safe and secure. At Suite Living of Maple Grove, our Memory Care is designed small in size allowing our care staff to offer personalized services in a warm and comfortable atmosphere.To learn more about this providers license and review other available state reports, please visit: Minnesota Health Care Provider Directory

"Suite Living of Prior Lake was good because of the proximity. It's geographically convenient. It's brand new and there are a few residents so far and there's no assessment fee or community fee right now. The dining area looks beautiful. The staff was easygoing. No pressure. They were very nice."

"Cedar Crest of Silver Lake was a very nice location. You had the lake to look at, but it was very small, and it's not for someone who can take care of themselves 90% of the time. They take care of everything like they take care of your pills. It was a very nice tour. The staff who gave the tour was very informative, knew all the information, and answered all our questions. They have a salon. They have plenty of outdoor space to walk or to sit by the lake. They would do your laundry. They take care of everything, and if you need that kind of assistance, that's a perfect place to go."

"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."