Best Nursing Homes in Minnesota

Residents enjoy an ultimately relaxing stay at Walker Methodist – Westwood Ridge, nestled in the serene neighborhood of West St. Paul, MN, where independent living, assisted living, and memory care come together in harmony. Here, seniors can select from a variety of accommodations, including cozy studios and spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments, all within a community known for its exceptional care services and consistently high ratings.

This community offers a fulfilling lifestyle, where comfort and convenience blend seamlessly with a wealth of amenities. The friendly, well-trained team ensures each resident enjoys a healthy, active life, with a vibrant schedule of social, educational, and entertaining activities. Here, seniors thrive in an enriching community that fosters connections and enhances quality of life. Choose Walker Methodist – Westwood Ridge for an active and rewarding lifestyle today.

Overview of Friendship Village of Bloomington

In the heart of Bloomington, Minnesota, Friendship Village is an assisted living community that offers a retirement haven tailored for seniors aged 62 and above that offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, and senior rehabilitation. This esteemed community embodies a philosophy of well-rounded, wellness-centric living, a recipe to savor life’s finest moments. Beyond the gates, Friendship Village thrives as a testament to personal growth.

An impressive selection of senior apartments and living homes, set just beyond the bustling streets, creates a backdrop for a life of refined comfort and elegance. This is a place where dreams are nurtured, and a touch of indulgence lends a helping hand to ease the journey, granting residents the luxury of time. Here, each chapter unfolds within a canvas of genuine companionship and purposeful living, bestowing the precious gift of time well spent.

Overview of Jones-harrison Senior Living

Jones-harrison Senior Living in Minneapolis, MN is a boutique-style senior living community, offering various senior lifestyle options, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and transitional care. The community also provides other services, such as long-term care, rehabilitation therapies, transitional care, and 24-hour nursing care – all designed to help seniors with specific needs to live an elevated living experience. Serving generations of families for over 136 years, the community warrants excellence in delivering senior living experiences founded on years of experience and knowledge.

Residents here indulge in a relaxed lifestyle with all the comforts of home and the experiences they need to live a full, connected, and active life. A wide variety of dynamic and unique programs are available to enrich and nurture residents’ overall wellness, including physical, social, and emotional aspects. Here, residents’ individuality is considered in every aspect of their living experience, helping them live a lifestyle that’s tailored to their needs and preferences.

Overview of Auburn Homes and Services Waconia

Auburn Homes and Services Waconia, situated in the beautiful town of Waconia, MN, is an esteemed senior living providing outstanding assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing care, and rehabilitation services. The community features an elegant and professional atmosphere, ensuring service is delivered well with compassion and integrity. Residents can choose from cozy studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom luxury, and private apartments, providing a perfect blend of privacy and community.

Here, residents are treated to delicious and nutritious meals while enjoying a wide array of activities and programs that invigorate the body, mind, and spirit. Live life to the fullest with its top-tier amenities and services, catering to unique individual needs, assisted by a dedicated team. Every moment is crafted to celebrate life and foster a vibrant and fulfilling experience for all.

Situated within the picturesque city of Duluth, Minnesota, the Benedictine Living Community stands as an embodiment of the treasures this vibrant locale has to offer. With a comprehensive range of living options including independent and assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and senior rehabilitation services, this esteemed community thrives on a foundation of faith-based principles rooted in Catholic teachings. At the home lies a dedicated and highly skilled team of professionals, comprising compassionate RNs, CNA’s, LPNs, physicians, and specialized experts. 

Rehabilitation plans are meticulously crafted, incorporating a range of therapies such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, complemented by unwavering family support and spiritual care. Of particular note is their exceptional memory care environment, meticulously designed to provide unparalleled support and comfort to those facing memory-related challenges. This specialized space empowers individuals to lead lives of utmost quality and fulfillment.

Overview of Lakeshore – the Fountains

Nestled in the charming city of Duluth, Minnesota, Lakeshore – the Fountains is a renowned assisted living community with a rich legacy of providing exceptional senior care for over 85 years. With an esteemed reputation in Northern Minnesota, Lakeshore – the Fountains is recognized as the premier senior living campus in Greater Duluth.

They offer 60 rehabilitation suites that feature private bathrooms and showers, ensuring privacy and comfort during the recovery process. They have short-stay residences that are thoughtfully designed to promote healing, offering amenities such as satellite television, telephone, and Wi-Fi connectivity to keep residents connected and entertained during their stay. With a dedicated team of compassionate professionals, Lakeshore – the Fountains is committed to providing personalized care and creating a nurturing environment for seniors. Whether they’re seeking assistance with daily activities or recovering from an injury, their community is here to support your needs and enhance your well-being.

Benedictine Living Community-minneapolis is a 90-bed skilled nursing facility at 618 E 17th St in Minneapolis’s Central Minneapolis neighborhood, offering assisted living and skilled nursing care. The mid-rise provides private and double-occupancy rooms; accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health, Health Regulation Division. Contact (612) 879-2800. CMS Certification Number: 245266; owned by Jeffrey Benson as a voluntary nonprofit.

With a walk score of 80 (ranked #5 of 43 Minnesota SNFs), the facility sits 1.0 mile from downtown Minneapolis and 0.66 miles from Midwest Podiatry Centers. Occupancy is 85.8% (ranked #20 of 60 SNFs); average length of stay 326 days. Payer mix: Medicare 1.7%, Medicaid 88.8%, private pay 9.4%.

Staffing represents a significant operational weakness. Total nursing care averages 3 hours 38 minutes per resident per day (ranked #57 of 59 Minnesota SNFs), which is 24% below the Minnesota average of 4 hours 46 minutes and below the 3.0-hour red flag threshold. Staff-to-resident ratio is 1.85:1 versus state average 2.22:1 (17% worse). RN staffing is particularly thin at 56 RNs serving 90 residents, resulting in 7.5 hours per shift. Weekend nursing totals 4 hours 23 minutes per day. Contractor use is minimal (2.6%), suggesting reliance on permanent staff without adequate supplementation. The facility is ranked #57 of 59 Minnesota SNFs for total nursing hours.

CMS ratings are poor across all categories. Overall rating 2/5 stars (37.1% below Minnesota average). Health Inspection rated below state average by 28.8%; Staffing 2.3% below; Quality Measures 4.1% below. The low overall rating combines poor inspection results weighted most heavily with below-average staffing and quality performance.

The facility describes skilled nursing services including wound care, tube feeding, and respiratory care, with a dedicated unit for ventilator-dependent and tracheostomy care. Palliative and hospice care are available. Short-term rehabilitation and post-surgical recovery stays are offered.

Inspection and compliance history is concerning. The facility underwent 9 inspections since 2023 (33% more than Minnesota average of 6 inspections), yielding 33 total citations (43% higher than state average 23.2). Severity breakdown: 1 critical citation (43% worse than state average), 1 serious citation (100% worse than state average), 30 moderate, 1 minor. Deficiency themes over the inspection period: Quality of Life & Care 13 (39%), Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation 5 (15%), Resident Rights 4 (12%), Pharmacy Services 4 (12%), Infection Control 2 (6%), Environmental 1 (3%). The January 2025 inspection identified infection control, pharmacy, and quality of care deficiencies—all marked corrected by facility. However, the pattern of abuse/neglect deficiencies (5 citations across inspections) and quality-of-care citations (13 deficiencies) points to systemic operational issues.

Regulatory penalties are severe. On May 23, 2024, CMS imposed an $85,000 civil money penalty and temporarily denied payment for new Medicare and Medicaid admissions for 37 days; a serious enforcement action indicating substantial noncompliance. The $85K penalty is 91% higher than the Minnesota average of $44K. The payment denial alone (130% higher than state average of 0.4) disrupted the facility’s revenue stream and admission capability for over a month.

Financial data shows improving but modest margins. 2024 revenue was $14.8M (ranked #26 of 59 SNFs); payroll $9.5M (64% of revenue, within healthy range); surplus $612.8K with profit margin 4.3%. Payroll increased approximately $1.5M from 2023, and net income rose ~$173K, suggesting some operational recovery following the 2024 penalty.

Quality outcome measures are mixed. Falls with major injury 0.9% (76% better than Minnesota average). Walking ability worsened 13.9% (41% better than state average). Depressive symptoms 0.9% (80% better than state average). However, need for ADL help increased 22.3% (18% worse than Minnesota average), suggesting functional decline among residents.

Families should ask about the May 2024 $85K penalty and 37-day payment denial, corrections implemented since May 2024, and the five abuse and neglect citations.

An ethereal senior living community located at 19th Avenue NW, Rochester, MN, Benedictine Living Community offers a spectrum of living options. These include assisted living, independent living, skilled nursing, memory care, rehabilitation, and respite care. The community ensures relaxing and secure residences with spacious floor plans such as suites, one-bedrooms with balconies, and two-bedroom. Combining comfort and professionalism, Benedictine Living Community ensures a vibrant life for seniors to enjoy.

The community values the independence and wellness of its residents, providing them with top-notch care and assistance to enjoy a maintenance and worry-free lifestyle. Furthermore, Benedictine Living Community serves nutritious and delicious meals that satisfy the dietary needs and cravings of the seniors. For the residents’ comfort and leisure, community amenities include raised garden beds, several courtyards, a pool table, an aesthetic view from apartment homes, and 12 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds.

Overview of Marcella Manor Senior Living

Marcella Manor is an assisted living community in Rochester, Minnesota with a dedicated team that provides valuable support for vital everyday activities (ADLs), streamlined medication administration, uninterrupted access to round-the-clock nursing services, thorough housekeeping, and laundry assistance. This assisted living community presents senior residents with private or semi-private living, offering an opportunity to infuse personal touches into their surroundings by incorporating cherished items like beds, dressers, decor, cozy chairs, and beloved blankets.

Marcella Manor goes beyond comprehensive offerings by accommodating recommended therapy regimens (physical, occupational, speech) and providing empathetic hospice care as required, thereby embodying a steadfast commitment to cultivating an environment of care and support. Notably, a distinguishing feature of the establishment is its resident-focused philosophy, wherein a nurse practitioner assumes the role of primary care provider, alleviating the obligation for family members to interrupt their professional commitments for medical appointments. In the realm of holistic well-being, a visiting podiatrist conducts regular assessments of foot health every 2-3 months.

Overview of St Anthony Park Home

St Anthony Park Home, located in St Paul, MN, is an 83-bed skilled nursing facility. This community provides exemplary short-term, long-term, and memory care services. Their patient-centered care is well coordinated with the residents and their professional team of registered and licensed nurses, CNAs, therapists, social workers, activities team members, and dietitians. As part of their care services, each resident is provided 24/7 skilled nursing care and assistance with daily living activities as needed.
Additionally, residents are provided meals regularly, which are carefully prepared to meet their dietary needs. Housekeeping and laundry services ensure the cleanliness of the facility, an added safety measure to protect residents from infections or diseases, as well as accidents. Daily activities such as art, music, and social gatherings are also scheduled to provide entertainment as well as opportunities to stay physically active, engaged, and mentally stimulated.

St Anthony Park Home is a VA-certified facility.