Boulder Ponds Senior Living sits at 192 Jade Trail N in Lake Elmo, MN, in a three-story wood-framed building over secured, heated underground parking, and it's pretty new, being about two years old now, so things like elevators and video surveillance feel up-to-date, and you'll see they've got a resident monitoring system along with controlled access to help keep everybody safe, which is comforting, and when you walk around, you'll run into spacious patios and good walking paths, a gazebo that's nice on a summer day, and most folks like that the place welcomes pets-both cats and dogs, which isn't always the case at these sorts of places. They've got a full-time activity director who puts together trips, outings, and monthly activity calendars, so there's always something to do, and for those who need it, there's specialized memory care that's set up to help people with dementia or Alzheimer's, with devotional services right onsite in a chapel, so folks who want spiritual time don't have to go far.
In this Continuing Care Retirement Community, you'll find 95 different units with several layouts-studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom-plus a guest suite for visitors, and they offer Independent Living for those who like to do things on their own but want less hassle, Assisted Living for seniors who might need some help with things like bathing, dressing, or medications, and Memory Care for those who need extra support to stay oriented and comfortable. They also offer respite care if someone needs a short-term stay, and home care from trained aides is available for companionship or extra help at home. The staff does things like daily activity assistance, medication management, and high-acuity care, and there's nursing available 12 to 16 hours a day, plus a 24-hour call system that gives people peace of mind, since there's always a way to get help quickly if anything comes up.
Amenities make life smoother here, since there's wireless internet everywhere, elevators, handicap accessibility, and a beauty salon with its own manicure and pedicure stations, which folks appreciate, not to mention light housekeeping and laundry, spacious dining options like the main community dining room, a private dining room for family gatherings, and a Bistro if you want something quick or social. There's a spa with a hydrotherapy tub, a wellness center with gym-quality equipment, a nice community room for events, and scheduled wellness and activity programming. They've got a transport van for scheduled trips, so going to the doctor or the store doesn't have to be a headache, and the focus really is on comfort, dignity, and being able to adapt care for each person as their needs shift over time.
They've got memory care activity calendars, a Whole-Person approach to health and happiness, and a pet-friendly policy that seems to make a real difference, alongside nutritious meal options including special diets like vegan, gluten-free, low sodium, or pureed meals as needed. Boulder Ponds has earned a few recognitions over the years-Best Meals and Dining, Best Activities, Most Friendly, Best of Senior Living, and All-Star awards-which says a lot about how people feel living there every day. There's always staff around throughout the week, the location puts residents close to essentials and medical care, and everything-from the chapel for quiet reflection to the outdoor patios and heated underground parking-seems designed to keep life steady, safe, and comfortable for seniors aging in place. Prospective residents and families can even do a drone virtual tour or schedule a visit to see the place for themselves, which helps give a real sense of what it's like before making any decisions, and the staff is committed to supporting people whether they want independent living, assisted care, or one of the specialized programs like Lifespark COMPLETE.
