Overall sentiment across the reviews is mixed but leans positive for assisted living services and the facility’s physical features, with recurring concerns focused primarily on memory care, staffing consistency, and management. Many reviewers praise the people who work at The Shores of Lake Phalen: caregivers, nurses, front desk personnel, and leasing staff are frequently described as warm, compassionate, attentive, and knowledgeable. Several accounts emphasize a family-like atmosphere where staff learn residents’ names, check on residents frequently, and provide thoughtful, respectful transition support. Therapy services (speech, physical, occupational) and an in-house medical/Bluestone program receive strong positive mentions, indicating good clinical resources for many residents.
The building, grounds, and amenities are among the facility’s strongest selling points. Multiple reviews describe a new, beautiful facility with scenic lake views, well-kept landscaping, garden areas, and comfortable suites—some with private doors to the outside. Shared amenities such as a Bistro/coffee area with a grand piano, event rooms, an upstairs theater, exercise room, spa, and salon are frequently highlighted and appreciated. Clean, attractive public spaces and a welcoming lobby contribute to many reviewers’ positive first impressions. Reviewers also note good value relative to local competitors and praise specific staff members and leaders who go above and beyond for families.
Dining and activities are generally strong aspects but show variability. Many residents and family members commend the food—described as home-cooked, healthy, and offering fresh fruit and meal choices. The facility offers a wide range of activities (happy hour, bingo, movies, social events, outings, chauffeured shopping trips), and numerous reviewers point to active resident engagement and a lively social atmosphere. However, some reviewers report slow meal service, unappealing meal presentation, or meals they found unhealthy. A minority of reviews also state there are fewer activities than expected or not enough options for certain residents, especially those seeking a smaller, close-knit environment.
Important and recurring concerns center on staffing consistency, memory care conditions, and management. Several reviewers describe inconsistent or inadequate care in memory care units: dirty common areas, odors, overflowing trash, and poorly groomed residents are explicitly mentioned. There are reports that care quality sometimes depended heavily on specific aides (one reviewer stated care was done only when particular staff were on shift). Understaffing and high turnover are commonly cited as contributors to uneven care and stressed staff. Management-related issues appear in multiple reviews as well—complaints include unresponsive or ineffective middle management, rude floor staff, billing errors, delayed deposit returns, and a perception that problems lack consequences. That said, some reviewers acknowledge recent leadership changes and improvements, noting better teamwork and more effective direction under new leaders.
Patterns in the reviews show polarized experiences: many families and residents report excellent care, compassionate staff, great meals, and a comfortable, attractive living environment; others report troubling lapses, especially in memory care and when staffing is thin or management is perceived as weak. Specific operational gaps mentioned across reviews include inconsistent transportation to medical appointments, occasional administrative/billing mistakes, parking difficulties, and at least one privacy concern involving a camera in a room. These issues appear to cluster around certain units or shifts rather than being described as uniform across the entire community.
In summary, The Shores of Lake Phalen is frequently praised for its facility, scenic location, amenities, caring staff, and therapy/medical resources, making it a good fit for many assisted living residents. Prospective residents and families should, however, investigate memory care conditions, ask detailed questions about staffing levels and turnover, review recent management changes, clarify transportation services and billing procedures, and request specific examples of cleanliness and grooming practices in memory care to ensure the community meets their expectations. The dominant theme is that quality is often person- and shift-dependent: where staffing and leadership are strong, experiences are highly positive; where they are weak, families report significant problems.
