Empower Center Care

    1109 Hazel St N, Saint Paul, MN 55119
    • Assisted Living
    • Memory Care

    Welcoming Hmong-speaking community, attentive care

    I'm very satisfied with my experience. From the guided tour onward the staff were welcoming, attentive and informative - they speak Hmong, serve authentic Hmong food (pepper at every meal), and provide respectful, loving 24/7 care. My questions and financing options were clearly explained; I felt heard and supported and would highly recommend this community.

    Current/former resident
    Jul 2026

    Pricing

    Prices shown are estimates and subject to change. Contact your senior living advisor for current pricing.

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Medication management
    • Mental wellness program

    Healthcare staffing

    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Restaurant-style dining
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Kitchenettes
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Memory care community services

    • Mild cognitive impairment
    • Specialized memory care programming

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Dining room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor space
    • Small library

    Community services

    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    Reviews

    4.20·(5)

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      3.7
    • Staff

      4.0
    • Meals

      3.0
    • Amenities

      4.2
    • Value

      1.0

    Pros

    • Attentive, compassionate staff
    • Informative admissions process and guided tours
    • Clear explanation of financing options
    • 24/7 on-site support and care availability
    • Hmong-language staff and culturally appropriate meals
    • Respectful, person-centered resident interactions
    • Supportive communication and responsiveness
    • Enjoyable residential atmosphere

    Cons

    • Inconsistent staff training and clinical competency
    • Variability in care quality and responsiveness
    • Documentation and record-keeping concerns, including alleged falsification
    • Allegations of financial misconduct and billing irregularities
    • Gaps in clinical-incident response and family communication
    • Frequent management or branding changes affecting oversight continuity

    Summary of reviews

    The reviews present a pronounced contrast between strongly positive personal experiences and serious operational concerns. On the positive side, many accounts describe a welcoming admissions process, guided tours, and clear explanations of financing options that help families navigate placement. Multiple reviewers emphasize attentive, compassionate staff, 24/7 availability of support, respectful interactions, and a generally enjoyable residential atmosphere. Cultural accommodations are a noted strength for some residents: Hmong-speaking staff and culturally appropriate meals were singled out as meaningful positive features.

    However, other reviews raise significant facility-level concerns that suggest uneven performance. These include inconsistent staff training and variability in day-to-day care quality and responsiveness. Several comments imply gaps in clinical oversight and incident response, and there are serious allegations related to financial and documentation practices, including alleged falsification of records and billing irregularities. Those kinds of allegations point to potential weaknesses in administrative controls and quality assurance rather than isolated interpersonal issues.

    Dining and activities are discussed primarily in the context of cultural fit: reviewers who valued the Hmong menu and familiar food felt positively about meal service. There is limited detailed commentary on the breadth of recreational programming or formal activity schedules; where life-enjoyment is mentioned, it is tied to positive staff–resident relationships rather than an extensive activity roster. One concrete dining detail (a strong presence of a particular seasoning) reflects individualized mealtime preferences rather than a systemic quality indicator.

    Facilities and management commentary is mixed. Several families described a supportive move-in experience and useful communication from admissions staff. At the same time, mentions of rebranding and managerial mismanagement raise questions about continuity of oversight and internal governance. Combined with the documentation and financial concerns, these items suggest prospective families should seek objective verification of regulatory history and quality metrics.

    For prospective residents and families: the facility appears capable of providing compassionate, culturally responsive care for many individuals, especially where staff-resident rapport is strong. At the same time, the variability in reported experiences and the presence of serious administrative allegations recommend careful due diligence. Suggested steps include reviewing state inspection and complaint records, asking for staffing ratios and recent training documentation, requesting written financial and billing policies, observing mealtime and staff–resident interactions in person, and asking how clinical incidents and family communications are handled. These checks can help determine whether the facility’s strengths align with an individual’s care needs and risk tolerance.

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    Location

    Map showing location of Empower Center Care

    Empower Center Care is located at 1109 Hazel St N, Saint Paul, MN, 55119.

    About Empower Center Care

    Empower Center Care sits in Saint Paul at 1109 Hazel St N, providing senior living where people find help with daily needs and a caring environment right from the start, with immediate availability for CADI and Elderly Waivers and flexible, month-to-month options, so you don't have to wait long to settle in. The center's been around since 2004, with Sunlight Services LLC as the business name, and has an A+ rating from the BBB, though it isn't BBB accredited, and gets regular oversight from the Minnesota Department of Health to help keep everything running smoothly. The management team, including Ms. Ker Vue, Kou Vang, and Tom C Vang, plus staff like Housing Managers, Directors of Nursing, Direct Support Staff, and Licensed Practical Nurses, make sure residents get person-centered, respectful care, and there are two chefs ready to cook up international dishes for a range of dietary needs. Each of the 24 private studio apartments comes with its own air conditioning, all-inclusive utilities, a 24-hour emergency call system, and access to gardens and common rooms, which gives folks space to relax, socialize, or join group exercise and crafts.

    Residents at Empower Center Care see nurses and trained caregivers on hand day and night, offering help with bathing, grooming, dressing, medication, housekeeping, and mobility, with daily wellness checks, so everyone gets steady support without losing their sense of independence or dignity, and the staff really seem to care about treating everyone like family. Safety stays a priority, with controlled entry, advanced fire systems, and supervision for residents-especially those needing memory care for dementia or mild cognitive issues, who get extra activity help and a secure setup, with no waiting period for waivers after you're assessed. The place doesn't fuss over menus-meals are home-cooked by a talented team, adjusted to fit special diets like diabetic, heart-healthy, vegetarian, and gluten-free, while snacks and drinks show up throughout the day, and menus switch out for seasonal favorites, always aiming to keep dining social and satisfying. Residents spend time on a wide mix of activities, from yoga, fitness, and walking outside to art projects, movie nights, bingo, puzzles, cultural celebrations, outings to the park, museums, or theaters, and community dinners, which gives everyone a chance to connect and stay engaged with something familiar or new.

    Cleaning staff keep things tidy, laundry gets taken care of, and transportation is sorted for medical visits, errands, or outings, so daily life feels straightforward and as stress-free as possible. The Empower Center Care team has years of senior care experience, speaks English, accepts service animals, and tries to create a wholesome, family-like atmosphere that encourages friendships and honors everyone's background, as cultural classes, memory games, talent shows, and holiday parties bring folks together. With both private space and shared rooms, easy digital access to information, a welcoming sunroom, and support for independent, assisted, memory, long-term, and hospice care, Empower Center Care stands as a steady, practical choice for seniors and their families, balancing safety, dependable care, and a sense of belonging.

    People often ask...

    Empower Center Care offers competitive pricing, with rates starting at a cost of $6,405 per month.

    Empower Center Care offers assisted living and memory care.

    There are 10 photos of Empower Center Care on Mirador.

    The full address for this community is 1109 Hazel St N, Saint Paul, MN 55119.

    No, Empower Center Care does not offer respite care. Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.

    Safety & Compliance

    In Minnesota, the Department of Health licenses assisted living facilities, publishing the findings of its surveys and complaint investigations.

    License number24717
    Facility typeAssisted Living

    Inspection Reports

    2

    Reports

    27

    Citations

    0

    Complaints

    4

    Years

    07 Jul 2025Inspection
    Identified state correction orders for staffing, food service, TB prevention, disaster planning, fire protection and evacuation, emergency relocation, service plans, medication management, and visitor notice.
    • 144G.41 Subdivision 1Staffing Requirements
    • 144G.41 Subdivision 1 Subd. 1aFood Service Requirements
    • 144G.42 Subd. 9Tuberculosis Prevention and Control
    • 144G.42 Subd. 10Disaster Planning and Emergency Preparedness
    • 144G.45 Subd. 2. (a)Fire Protection And Physical Environment
    • 144G.45 Subd. 2 (b)-(f)Fire Safety and Evacuation Plans
    • 144G.52 Subd. 9Emergency Relocation
    • 144G.70 Subd. 4Service Plan Implementation and Revisions
    • 144G.71 Subd. 20Prescription Drugs
    • 144G.71 Subd. 22Disposition of Medications
    • 144.6502, Subd. 8Notice to Visitors
    02 Jun 2022Inspection
    Identified numerous deficiencies across governance, rights, staffing, meals, activities, medications, and safety, including an immediate correction order related to bedrails.
    • 144G.10 Subdivision 1aAssisted living director license required
    • 144G.41 Subd 1Minimum requirements
    • 144G.41 Subd 1Minimum requirements
    • 144G.41 Subd 1 (13)(i)(A) and (C)Minimum requirements
    • 144G.41 Subd 1 (13)(ii)-(vii)Minimum requirements
    • 144G.42 Subd 9Tuberculosis prevention and control
    • 144G.45 Subd 2(a)Fire protection and physical environment
    • 144G.45 Subd 2(a)(4)Fire protection and physical environment
    • 144G.45 Subd 2(b)-(f)Fire safety and evacuation plans
    • 144G.63 Subd 2Content of required orientation
    • 144G.64Training in dementia care required
    • 144G.70 Subd 2Initial reviews, assessments, and monitoring
    • 144G.71 Subd 19Storage of medications
    • 144G.71 Subd 20Prescription drugs
    • 144G.91 Subd 4Appropriate care and services
    • 144G.91 Subd 4Appropriate care and services

    Disclaimer

    Mirador Living is not affiliated with the owner or operator(s) of Empower Center Care. The information above has not been verified or approved by the owner or operator. For exact information, please contact Empower Center Care directly. There is no cost for this service. We are compensated by the community you select.

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