St. Mark's Living | Assisted Living & Memory Care sits in Austin, Minnesota, and provides several care options for seniors, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, short-term, and hospice care, and it's managed by Ecumen, an award-winning nonprofit. The community serves elders at every stage, with care plans made by licensed staff, so if someone's living with memory loss like Alzheimer's or dementia, the team recognizes their needs and offers private studio apartments in small, secure neighborhoods, and keeps the safety high with controlled access doors, sprinkler systems, and 24/7 staff specialized in dementia care who always stay on-site to help residents feel safe and supervised, and a secure outdoor garden sits just for Memory Care, giving people a safe way to enjoy time outside. Anyone moving in can get a clear explanation of move-in steps and waiting lists, and a registered nurse will help build a care plan just for them, so everything's personalized, from the help with dressing, grooming, bathing, medication, and meals all the way to activities made to engage the mind and lift the spirit, like arts and crafts, education programs, fitness classes, health events, and social gatherings in the dedicated activities room or out in the garden with the waterfall bubbling away in the background.
There's a full continuum of living arrangements, so someone starting out in independent or assisted living with a private one- or two-bedroom apartment-complete with kitchens, private bath, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, cable TV, housekeeping, and laundry-can stay in their own home even as their needs change, because St. Mark's offers skilled nursing and therapy on-site, and in fact, they're the only place in Austin with this full range of care, and they welcome veterans and folks using Medicare, Medicaid, or VA benefits, with coverage help if needed. Residents can expect support from personal care assistants for tasks large and small, including walking or wheelchair help, transportation to appointments and outings, and on-site salon and barbershop services, which make daily routines easier. Meals are available in a dining room, and the staff takes all sorts of food needs into account, from gluten-free and pureed to no sugar or low salt options, and they even offer a guest meal service.
Housekeepers, laundry and dry-cleaning staff, and building maintenance handle everyday upkeep, and apartment units stay accessible with wheelchair-friendly showers, ground floor units, and handrails throughout. Sprinkler systems offer added safety, and there's uncovered and resident parking, fitness facilities, game rooms, lounges with fireplaces, a chapel for reflection, and a "Giving Tree" metallic art piece that brings a sense of welcome to shared spaces. The community encourages families and residents to share stories and tips through its forum, and everyone has access to Wi-Fi and cable, along with housekeeping, so life feels manageable and connected. For those on the rehabilitation side, both short-term and outpatient therapy are available, with skilled nurses, podiatry, pain management, and help with medication, wound care, diabetic and high-acuity needs, so whether someone's moving in for a short recovery or staying long-term due to a chronic illness, the support is right there. Hospice and respite care services welcome people needing comfort and peace, with compassionate staff coordinating with hospice organizations, pain management, and support for emotional and spiritual needs, so folks in every phase of life, and their families, find what they need. All the while, the setting encourages as much independence as possible, and residents can join ongoing activities and programs, use the library or computers, enjoy the gardens, and relax in beautifully furnished gathering spaces or their own comfortable, private apartments.
