Guardian Angels Care Center

    400 Evans Avenue, Elk River, MN, 55330
    4.2 · 5 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    • Memory care
    • Skilled nursing
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    2.0

    Nice facility, poor final impression

    I moved into a clean, well-maintained, one-level facility with spacious two-bedroom apartments, a nice courtyard, on-site store/coffee, excellent food (cafeteria or delivery), good therapy, and an active social life (bible study, games, singing, bingo, church). Staff were abundant, friendly and helpful at first, but later grew cold; I also felt pressured to pay to hold my room and had billing problems, and after a hospital transfer and death my overall impression was negative despite many strong amenities.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Medication management
    • Mental wellness program

    Healthcare staffing

    • 12-16 hour nursing
    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Restaurant-style dining
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Air-conditioning
    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Kitchenettes
    • Private bathrooms
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Memory care community services

    • Mild cognitive impairment
    • Specialized memory care programming

    Transportation

    • Community operated transportation
    • Transportation arrangement
    • Transportation arrangement (non-medical)

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Computer center
    • Dining room
    • Fitness room
    • Gaming room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor space
    • Small library
    • Wellness center

    Community services

    • Concierge services
    • Fitness programs
    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Planned day trips
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    4.20 · 5 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      4.0
    • Staff

      4.0
    • Meals

      4.8
    • Amenities

      4.3
    • Value

      1.0

    Pros

    • Close to family
    • Full range of care services
    • On-site amenities (beautician, health club)
    • On-site store and gift shop
    • Good to very good food
    • Flexible dining options (in-room delivery or cafeteria)
    • Restaurant-style dining area
    • Spacious apartments/rooms (including two-bedroom)
    • Well-maintained and clean facility
    • Abundant staff availability
    • Large in-room rehab rooms with private shower and bathroom
    • Single-level, accessible layout
    • Nice courtyard and multiple visiting/sitting areas
    • Active social and spiritual programming (bible study, church services)
    • Recreational activities (singing, bingo, cards, games)
    • Good therapy and rehabilitation services
    • Friendly, attentive, and caring staff
    • Occasional outside visitors assisting activities
    • Complimentary snacks and beverages (coffee, soda, cookies, doughnuts)

    Cons

    • Inconsistent staff demeanor (initially caring, later cold reported)
    • Billing concerns and pressure to pay to hold a room
    • At least one report of an adverse outcome involving hospital transfer and death
    • Some administrative/management issues reported
    • Mixed impressions from different reviewers

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment in the collected reviews is predominantly positive with multiple reviewers praising the facility for its amenities, accommodation, care options, and social programming. The facility is described as conveniently located for family, offering a full range of care services and good therapy/rehab. Physical features are frequently highlighted: spacious rooms and apartments (including two-bedroom units), large in-room rehab areas with private showers and bathrooms, a single-level layout that supports accessibility, well-maintained and clean common areas, a pleasant courtyard, and multiple sitting areas for visitors. On-site conveniences such as a beautician, health club, gift shop, and an on-site store add to the appeal.

    Dining is a strong positive across reviews. Many mention that the food is very good, that dining resembles a restaurant experience, and that there are flexible options for residents — meals can be enjoyed in a cafeteria-style dining room or delivered to apartments. Reviewers also note complimentary snacks and beverages on site (coffee, soda, cookies, doughnuts), which contributes to resident satisfaction. Social life and activities receive consistent praise: organized programs like bible study, church services, singing, bingo, cards, games, and other activities keep residents engaged, with occasional outside visitors helping to run or enrich activities.

    Staff and care quality are reported mostly favorably. Multiple reviewers describe staff as friendly, attentive, caring, and helpful, with abundant staff availability and strong therapy services. These comments suggest that day-to-day care and rehabilitation are reliable strengths of the facility. However, there is a notable inconsistency in experiences: at least one reviewer reported that staff who were initially caring became cold over time. This points to variability in individual experiences and possibly in staff continuity or specific shifts/teams.

    Administrative and management concerns appear less frequently but are important. Several reviewers raise billing concerns and specifically mention pressure to pay to hold a room. One reviewer linked administrative issues with an adverse chain of events involving a hospital transfer and a death, leaving that reviewer with an overall negative impression. While this is a single but serious report, it stands out against otherwise positive feedback and suggests families should carefully review admission, hold, and billing policies and seek clarity about how the facility handles transitions to hospital care or other emergent situations.

    In summary, Guardian Angels Care Center is portrayed as a well-equipped, clean, and comfortable facility with robust dining, engaging activities, convenient amenities, and generally strong caregiving and therapy services. These strengths are tempered by occasional reports of inconsistent staff demeanor and specific administrative/billing problems. Prospective residents and families will likely find the facility attractive for its physical accommodations, social programming, and dining, but should ask direct questions about billing practices, room-hold policies, staff turnover or shift consistency, and protocols for hospital transfers to ensure those concerns are addressed before committing.

    Location

    Map showing location of Guardian Angels Care Center

    About Guardian Angels Care Center

    Guardian Angels Care Center sits in Elk River, Minnesota, and has been serving seniors since 1965, offering skilled nursing care, independent living, assisted living, memory care, transitional care, long-term care, and hospice care, which all means folks get support whether they're looking for help after a hospital stay, need ongoing care, or want to live as independently as possible with a little assistance. The two locations, at 400 Main Street Northwest and 400 Evans Ave NW, each have peaceful grounds, outdoor walking paths, a putting green, indoor and outdoor gardens, a large back patio and several sunrooms. Inside, you'll find a private dining room and living room with a fireplace, a chapel, a Town Center with a coffee shop, beauty/barber shop, and a gift shop, plus a whirlpool spa, computer lounge, and plenty of gathering spaces for games, movies, and special events. Rooms include private and semi-private options, and the Transitional Care Unit has 42 private suites with kitchenettes, cable TV, internet, telephones, and private bathrooms with walk-in or roll-in showers-while Long-Term Care offers both private and semi-private bedrooms to meet different needs. Housekeeping, laundry, and chef-prepared meals keep the focus on comfort and ease for all residents. Safety is front and center, with features like handicap accessibility, sprinkler systems, 24/7 staff, an emergency call service, and all sorts of safety equipment built into the property. Residents have access to personal care assistants, walking and wheelchair assistance, occupational therapy, physical and speech therapy, medication support, wound care, nursing services from licensed nurses, and podiatry services, plus on-site provider visits for everyday health needs. Daily activities, health and wellness programs, arts and crafts, and social events fill the calendar, with special programming designed just for memory care residents, including individualized care plans. There are educational programs, outings, and even spiritual support with pastoral care and an on-site chapel for people of all faiths, making sure everyone's needs, spiritual and social alike, are looked after. Amenities like Wi-Fi, guest parking, and on-site transportation help people stay connected and independent. There's help with dressing, bathing, grooming, and toileting for anyone who needs it, meals are served in the dining rooms, and individualized nutrition plans are available for folks with dietary needs. The environment's meant to be homelike, peaceful, and welcoming with lots of natural light and cozy spaces. The staff speak English, are highly trained, and are committed to providing residents with care, dignity, and respect. Guardian Angels Care Center partners with Providence Health & Services, CareChoice Cooperative, Allina Senior Health, and Fairview Partners, and offers adjunct therapy services right on site. Right now, the facility has the ability to accept new residents, but at this time, they're not taking new patients at their locations. Virtual tours are available, including of Guardian Angels by the Lake. The community continues to make sure that every resident has the support and services they need, and families know their loved ones are in a safe and comfortable setting.

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