Best Retirement Homes in Minneapolis, MN

Overview of The Kenwood

The Kenwood is a 118-bed retirement home at 825 Summit Ave in Minneapolis’s Calhoun Isles neighborhood, offering independent living and assisted living. The high-rise features 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units with skyline views; pets allowed. Contact (612) 294-1684. Executive Director: Jenny Volkenant; 40-year operating history. Licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health, Health Regulation Division. BBB A+ (not accredited).

With a walk score of 90 (walker’s paradise), The Kenwood sits 3.1 miles from downtown Minneapolis and 1.06 miles from Midwest Podiatry Centers. Occupancy is 30% (35 of 118 beds), critically below the Minnesota average of 79.7%.

Survey ratings reveal a profound contradiction. Quality of Life Rating 5/5 (ranked 1st tied of 136 Minnesota facilities); resident satisfaction 88.8% versus state average 72.4%. Family Satisfaction 4/5 (ranked 13th of 123); family overall satisfaction 90.0% versus state average 83.7%. Food quality 94.2%, community activities 93.5%, and religion/spirituality 96.1% all rank high. Yet Staffing Rating 2/5 (ranked 132nd of 158), Resident Health Rating 2/5 (ranked 121st of 134), and Safety Rating 1/5 (ranked 126th of 134). The facility excels at resident satisfaction but fails markedly on clinical safety and operational staffing.

The most recent inspection on October 23, 2024, was a follow-up to verify corrections from a July 24, 2024 initial survey. The facility achieved “substantial compliance with previous correction orders,” yet 20 new deficiencies were identified during the follow-up. All are level-two violations except two level-three violations (widespread scope): missing background study clearance for the dining director and inadequate documentation of bed rail safety. A $6,000 fine was assessed.

Food service presents immediate safety concerns. Food preparation and serving violated Minnesota Food Code (widespread violation). Dish machine sanitizer concentration was inadequate (ranging from 0 to 100 ppm, then 200-400 ppm). Infection control program is ineffective; inspectors found improper equipment cleaning and hand hygiene lapses (pattern violation).

Medication management reveals critical failures. Medications were not stored per manufacturer instructions and refrigerator temperature was not monitored (widespread violation). Inspectors discovered expired insulin from February 2022 and an expired inhaler from April 2024 in resident medications during the October 2024 survey. Prescriptions were not renewed every 12 months for one resident. Medication administration was not documented accurately for one resident.

Fire and life safety deficiencies are extensive. Smoke alarms were missing from bedrooms and were not interconnected (widespread). The facility lacks a complete fire safety and evacuation plan, has not provided required staff training, and has not conducted required evacuation drills (widespread). Physical environment maintenance failed: trash chute doors and trash room doors do not close and latch properly; master key issues identified (widespread). Bed rails lacked documentation of use, maintenance per manufacturer instructions, and safety inspections (widespread violation, level-three severity).

Staffing and supervision show systemic training gaps. The clinical nurse supervisor lacked required orientation on person-centered planning and service delivery. Multiple unlicensed personnel lacked required training prior to providing services. One unlicensed person did not complete eight hours of annual training; another did not complete eight hours of dementia training within the required 160 working hours. RN supervision of unlicensed personnel within 30 days of hire was not documented. Abuse prevention plans were incomplete for three residents (pattern violation).

Initial nursing assessments were not completed for two residents prior to move-in, a fundamental assessment requirement.

The facility describes resident activities including lectures from local experts, social gatherings, fitness classes, and group outings to museums, theaters, and sporting events.

The Kenwood presents residents and families with a dilemma: residents report exceptional satisfaction and engagement, yet the facility’s safety record, staffing training, medication management, and fire safety protocols are substantially deficient. The extremely low occupancy (30%) may exacerbate operational challenges and staffing adequacy.

Families should ask about the October 2024 deficiencies and $6,000 fine, fire safety procedures, medication storage, staff training, nursing assessments, and corrections implemented.