Overall impression Reviews of Sunrise of Edina show a predominantly positive sentiment centered on a small, home-like atmosphere and staff who are frequently described as warm, caring and responsive. Many reviewers emphasize the non-institutional feeling, abundant common spaces, courtyard and patio areas, and a robust activities program that keeps residents engaged. Dining is a highlighted strength for numerous families, with multiple mentions of restaurant-style service, a pastry chef, accommodation for special diets, and frequent praise for meals and presentation. The community is repeatedly commended for its social environment, pet-friendly policy, visible nursing presence, and the ability of staff to know residents by name.
Care quality and staff themes The dominant positive pattern is high praise for direct-care staff, marketing/admissions personnel, and proactive nursing oversight. Families report that staff are compassionate, attentive, and involved in residents' daily lives; many recount quick responses to needs, routine checks, and improvement after initial move-in orientations. At the same time, a recurring negative pattern is staffing shortages and the resulting strain. Several reviews note aides and nurses being stretched thin, which has been linked to medication errors, missed personal care tasks (showers, laundry), and inconsistent follow-through. While many families experienced exemplary care, a smaller but significant subset reported clinical lapses, medication mistakes, missing items, or care declines after management changes. Memory care receives mixed feedback: the ward is described as bright and proactively observed, but some families expressed concerns about locked-door policies, limited access to outdoor areas, and limited engagement for residents in advanced dementia.
Facilities, apartments and maintenance Physical descriptions vary by reviewer. A strong theme is that the community feels cozy and garden-like, with attractive landscaping, patios, fountains, and comfortable social rooms. Many reviewers said the community is clean and well-maintained, particularly in newer or recently refreshed areas. However, others called out dated wings, narrow hallways, worn carpeting, unfinished repairs, sporadic housekeeping, and inconsistent cleaning in some parts. Apartment size is a repeated practical concern: studios and small one-bedroom units with kitchenettes are common and fit many residents, but some families found them too small or lacking features like a full kitchen, garage, or larger bedrooms. Wait times for preferred units were also reported, with some waitlists stretching months or longer.
Dining and activities Dining and social programming are strong selling points. Multiple reviewers praised the dining team, the chef, and the variety of meal offerings, and many cited daily activities, live music, outings, trivia, arts and crafts, and religious services as regular components. The activities program and coordinator received positive marks for keeping residents engaged. Conversely, a minority of reviewers reported meals they found unappetizing or repetitive, limited menus, or insufficient activity engagement for residents with more advanced dementia or mobility limitations. Exercise maintenance and ongoing therapy consistency were also called out; some families saw initial therapy benefits but noted a lack of follow-through on exercise routines.
Management, communication and billing Communication and organizational consistency emerge as mixed themes. Several families praised admissions, sales, and nursing staff for clear communication, quick follow-up, and face-to-face updates including FaceTime. Other reviewers experienced poor follow-up after tours, unclear caregiver contact lists, billing errors or double billing, and attempts at unexpected rate increases. Some negative reports link these issues to recent management changes or to for-profit operational pressures. Transparency about pricing, extra charges, and Elderly Waiver policies varied across reviews; prospective families should verify these details directly.
Notable patterns and trade-offs The reviews paint Sunrise of Edina as a community that can deliver a warm, active, and socially rich environment, especially for residents who benefit from a smaller scale, frequent socialization, and visible nursing presence. It is frequently recommended by families whose loved ones thrived there. That said, experiences are polarized in some cases. Where staffing levels, communication, or management consistency fall short, families reported serious quality-of-care concerns, including medication errors and missed personal care. Physical condition also varies unit by unit, so the overall guest experience depends heavily on which wing, apartment, and staff team one encounters.
Bottom line and recommended checks If you value a cozy, people-oriented community with strong social programming, appealing dining, pet-friendly policies, and visible nursing oversight, Sunrise of Edina frequently meets those needs. However, because reviews also point to staffing variability, occasional clinical lapses, billing ambiguities, and some cleanliness or maintenance inconsistencies, families should investigate those specific areas during a tour. Recommended checks based on review patterns include confirming current staffing ratios and turnover, medication administration protocols and error reporting, cleaning and laundry schedules, memory care door and outdoor-access policies, waitlist times and fees, and recent maintenance or remodeling status. These targeted questions will help determine whether the community's many strengths align with your loved one’s specific care and lifestyle needs.
