Caley House

Caley House in Princeton, Minnesota, gives older adults a place to live where they get help with daily needs like bathing, dressing, and taking medicine, and it's part of Cassia, a faith-based nonprofit, and sits near medical centers, parks, stores, and restaurants, so you don't have to travel far for care or errands, and there's a campus administrator who keeps things running smoothly across the main campus. The caregiving staff follows directions from a registered nurse, and although caregivers aren't required to be certified nursing assistants, they go through medical training and shadow experienced staff, and a nurse creates personalized care plans for each resident. If someone wants to report a problem, there's a grievance procedure that lets residents talk to staff, who then meet with them to try to solve concerns quickly, and families receive updates over phone or email about a resident's condition, falls, medicine, or community events. Caley House doesn't offer short-term or respite stays on-site and instead sends such requests to the Elim Rehab side, and residents can't have pets in their apartments, so it's not a pet-friendly place. The community supports transitions for new residents, helping with resources and working with outside transportation, and there's a mini-bus for store trips and outings, plus help arranging rides to doctor appointments. Staff offer meals made in a central kitchen-three a day, served hot by staff in a restaurant-style dining room-and all-day dining options are there in case you're hungry outside regular hours, with menus that accommodate allergies and diabetes. Community spaces include a dining area, indoor common areas, walking paths, a garden, an arts room, room for worship with a chaplain who visits for spiritual support, and a salon for haircuts and grooming. Activities range from movie nights to resident-run programs that try to keep folks engaged and social, and there's a structured activity plan to promote movement, learning, and friendships. Residents can get assistance with moving from bed to wheelchair, managing insulin, housekeeping, laundry, dry cleaning, and general wellness activities, and there's 24-hour supervision with a call system for emergencies, plus caregivers always ready to help. The aging in place policy allows residents to stay as long as they only require help from one aide and don't need equipment like Hoyer lifts or two-person transfers. COVID-19 and flu shots come through the pharmacy, and people live in private pay studio or one-bedroom apartments that include a telephone and basic furnishings, with cleaning after someone moves out. Parking's available for those who drive, and transportation supports trips around the community, and visitors can use the parking area too. There's also an adult day center at Princeton Freshwaters Methodist Church and health-related services on the main campus, like memory care, skilled nursing, short-term rehab, long-term care, and hospice care, so if a resident needs a different level of care, coordination with the larger Elim Wellspring campus can happen. All of these services combine to allow seniors to maintain independence as much as possible, while getting the support they need, in a calm, helpful, and faith-centered environment, and although the place doesn't seem perfect, it works hard to address problems quickly and treat everyone with care.