Overall sentiment across the reviews is strongly positive, with repeated and emphatic praise for the staff and the quality of care at Shakopee Friendship Manor. Reviewers consistently describe staff as amazing, compassionate, attentive, and prompt; many explicitly note that staff meet or exceed expectations and provide top-notch medical assistance. Several comments highlight long-tenured employees and continuity of care, which contributes to strong relationships between staff, residents, and families. There are multiple anecdotes about staff going out of their way to support residents and families (for example, helping with FaceTime calls) and that level of personal attention makes families feel connected and involved.
Care quality is a dominant theme: reviewers report thorough, prompt, and compassionate nursing and medical support. Families describe feeling confident that their loved ones are well looked after, with references to prompt attention in the evenings and a nursing team that cares deeply. The facility's small size is framed positively in most reviews — residents feel at home in a quaint, quiet environment that fosters a sense of community. The layout and maintenance are praised (easy to get around, clean, well-maintained), and many reviewers comment that the facility feels welcoming and like 'home' rather than institutional.
Activities, dining, and amenities are another strength. Reviews mention an engaging social dining experience, entertainers coming in, and residents being kept fully engaged and entertained. The facility's garden and visiting spaces with good views are highlighted as pleasant features that enhance residents' quality of life. Multiple reviewers point to a smooth transition process for new residents and describe the atmosphere as warm and welcoming during visits, with family involvement actively supported and feedback valued by staff and management.
Management and communication receive mostly positive remarks: reviewers call management responsive and communications "amazing," and many families feel informed and included in care. The presence of long-standing staff and a consistent team supports good communication and continuity. However, a pattern of occasional shortcomings emerges in the negative comments. A few reviews note slow follow-through on care plan changes, which signals occasional lapses in administrative or clinical responsiveness. There are also isolated but serious concerns about staff behavior — such as staff talking in front of residents or instances described as disrespectful or mean — which contrast sharply with the overwhelmingly positive reports about compassion and attentiveness.
Facility-related concerns are limited but notable. Multiple reviewers point out that the building is older, which may affect aesthetics, layout, or systems compared with newer communities. One specific safety-related complaint mentions that the facility felt unsafe during air quality alert days, suggesting potential issues with ventilation, air-filtration protocols, or communication about outdoor risks. While these concerns appear in a minority of reviews, they are important because they relate to resident safety and dignity.
In summary, the dominant impression from the reviews is that Shakopee Friendship Manor offers a warm, small, home-like environment with exceptional, compassionate staff and high-quality care. The facility excels at family communication, resident engagement, and maintaining a welcoming atmosphere. Areas to monitor include infrastructure limitations due to an older building, occasional delays in implementing care-plan changes, and a few reports of unprofessional staff behavior and safety issues during environmental alerts. Prospective families should weigh the clear strengths in staffing and community feel against these isolated but meaningful concerns, and may wish to ask facility management about air-quality protocols, care-plan change procedures, and staff training/oversight during a visit or tour.
