Benedict Court | An Ecumen Living Space sits at 2000 15th Ave SE in St. Cloud, Minnesota, tucked in a quiet, pretty neighborhood near the Mississippi River, and the place is part of a bigger senior living campus run by Ecumen, a nonprofit that's known for its faith-based tradition and range of care. Folks age 55 and older can find all kinds of living choices here, like independent living apartments, affordable HUD housing for adults 62 and better, assisted living, and specialized memory care, so you can pretty much adjust to what you need as you get older, whether that means a bit of help now and then, full nursing support, or even hospice. The memory care program is set up for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia and comes with things like medication help, diabetic care, non-ambulatory care, and therapies for different levels of memory loss, with ground floor rooms, accessible showers, and wheelchair-friendly spaces making it easier to get around.
The apartments themselves offer good options-there are one- and two-bedroom floor plans, anywhere from 428 to 784 square feet-and you get full kitchens with a fridge, range, and microwave, bathrooms with walk-in showers and grab bars, large windows for light, closet space, air conditioning, and your own thermostat. The place is smoke-free, has pet visits, and keeps things safer with a controlled entrance, sprinkler systems, emergency pendants, daily "I'm OK" checks, and medical staff on hand. All the main stuff like electricity, water, trash, basic cable, and WiFi come included with the apartment, too.
People living here have easy access to meals-some like restaurant-style service, with options if you need low sodium, and even guest meals if family stops by-and if the memory care folks need food at any hour, that's available too. There are beauty and barber shops on-site, raised garden beds and patios for anyone who likes to be outside, and indoor spaces like a community fireplace lounge, game room, TV lounge, and the Minnesota Room's upright pianos, book and puzzle nooks, common dining room, and fitness center with NuStep exercise bikes. The staff organizes activities ranging from stretching classes, live music, yoga or chair yoga, holiday parties, educational programs, trivia, outing trips, arts and crafts, and devotional services for spiritual support. Laundry and housekeeping get taken care of, including dry cleaning if needed, and transportation is on offer for things like shopping, doctor appointments, or community events.
Assisted living helps with all the basics-bathing, dressing, grooming, walking, toileting, medication, and eating. Specialty healthcare services cover things like wound care, incontinence, diabetic support, and wheelchair help, so there's pretty robust medical support when it's needed. Independent adults can live with less worry thanks to maintenance-free living and activities that encourage physical, mental, and social well-being, while those with more health needs or memory loss can get more support while still being encouraged to make choices and stay in charge of their routine. The place tries to help everyone stay connected, whether you want quiet time, group fun, or chances to keep learning and moving. Benedict Court's campus pulls together independent living, assisted living, memory care, home health, adult day programs, skilled care, and hospice, all with some nice green spaces outside for walks or gardening, and the staff aims to support every resident's choices and needs, whatever stage they're at in life.
