Brainerd Carefree Living LLC

Pros

• The reviewer described the staff as great.
• The place was clean.
• It was the best move for his brother.
• The reviewer appreciated the opportunity to stay there and felt their life turning around.
• The reviewer met many good people and enjoyed playing cards and games.
• The staff were welcoming to residents.

Cons

• The care was almost nonexistent.
• A resident was left wet herself because caregivers delayed or didn't come at all.
• Medications were not provided for days and temporary workers could dispense pills.
• A mother died while staying there, and the family believes it was preventable.
• The facility refused to call an ambulance when it was needed.
• Bed bugs were not disclosed and the facility became infested.
• High staff turnover prevented consistent care.
• The facility was dirty and had a nauseating smell.

Review

There are multiple accounts from former residents and their families about Carefree Living on Oak Street in Brainerd that together form a troubling portrait of care quality and daily life at the facility. The threads running through these stories are consistency, attention, and safety, or the lack thereof. Several families describe a pattern of neglect and insufficient medical care, while others recall moments of honesty and warmth from staff that were outweighed by ongoing problems. Taken as a whole, the experiences describe a place where basic needs and respectful treatment could be unreliable and where residents sometimes bore the consequences.

A dominant thread in many reviews is the mishandling of medications and medical needs. One family member recounts that their loved one, who was recovering from a broken hip, "was left no choice but to wet herself because ringing for a caregiver meant at least a hour if they showed up at all." The same account claims medicines were not ordered for days, leaving the resident without essential treatments. Another troubling detail is that "anybody who would work there from a temp service was able to pass out pills," raising serious concerns about medication safety and supervision. These stories collectively suggest that medical oversight and timely access to prescribed drugs were, at times, severely deficient.

Emergency response is another critical area where concerns are raised. In one account, the facility "refused to call one" when a resident needed an ambulance, prompting the family to contact emergency services themselves. This failure to act promptly in a medical emergency is described as a life-threatening lapse, underscoring a fear among loved ones that staff may not reliably escalate serious health concerns. Such incidents contribute to a perception of vulnerability for residents and anxiety for families who worry about what might happen when a crisis arises.

Facilities of this kind are also judged by the cleanliness and living conditions they provide, and the reviews portray Carefree Living as dirty and with a pervasive smell that makes people feel unwell. Infestations add another layer of alarm: residents and their families report bed bugs were not disclosed to residents until the problem was widespread, leaving individuals unprepared and distressed. There are vivid scenes of belongings being discarded during infestations, with a resident left "with nothing" and treated poorly before their possessions were replaced. The combination of filth, odors, and pests creates an environment that many readers would want to avoid for themselves or their loved ones.

The quality and consistency of caregiving are repeatedly called into question, in part due to high staff turnover. Stories describe a lack of continuity in care, making it difficult for residents to establish trusting relationships with caregivers. There is also mention of limited personal care; for example, a resident was being forced to accept only one bath per week even after requesting more frequent cleansing due to medical needs. Family members report being told that these expectations would not be a problem, only to see a different reality in practice. In some accounts, residents were reportedly yelled at when they shared their struggles with family members, with repercussions imposed for speaking up about their conditions or needs.

Despite the prevailing negative tone, there are notes of appreciation and positive moments. One reviewer who placed their brother Michael in February 2023 reports a completely different experience: "The staff has been great. The place is clean. Best move I made for my brother." Another account from a former resident who lived there in 2021?2022 speaks to a more nuanced experience: they acknowledge issues with a different resident at times but emphasize personal growth, opportunity to turn their life around, and social connections with other residents through activities like games and card play. The same account mentions service dogs and companions - Jasper the service dog, Jackiechan, and a newer dog named Jazzy - suggesting that for some residents, the community and certain staff relationships could still offer meaningful positives.

In addition to personal experiences, several reviewers reference interactions with oversight bodies and the process of reporting concerns. One family member notes they reported neglect to state agencies and engaged with an ombudsman, implying ongoing formal scrutiny and accountability efforts. Others describe a general sense that the facility should be held responsible for the care or lack thereof, with the implication that the issues observed require outside review and intervention. The tone in these passages shifts from despair to a cautious expectation that someone higher than the facility will address the documented problems.

Taken together, the series of accounts paints a complex and often troubling picture of Carefree Living on Oak Street. While there are mentions of clean environments and positive social moments, the majority of stories focus on neglect, medication mismanagement, delayed emergency responses, pest infestations, and inconsistent caregiving amid high staff turnover. The contrast between the grimmer experiences and the one or two more favorable notes underscores how varied the care experience can be in a single facility, depending on who is caring for residents at any given time and which administrative steps are being followed. For families considering care options, these accounts serve as a stark reminder to thoroughly evaluate care quality, insist on clear care plans, and seek oversight to ensure medical needs and safety are addressed promptly and consistently.

This part of Brainerd, Minnesota offers a variety of amenities and services that would make it a convenient and comfortable place for senior living. With several places of worship nearby, such as Brainerd 7th Day and St Andrews Church, seniors can easily continue their spiritual practice. There are also numerous dining options including McDonald's and Yesterday's Gone, providing easy access to meals. Additionally, pharmacies like Cub Pharmacy and Thrifty White Drug are located within close proximity for medication needs. For recreational activities, there are parks like Kiwanis Park and Northland Arboretum nearby for outdoor enjoyment. Medical services are readily available with hospitals such as Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center in the area, ensuring quality healthcare access. Transportation options such as Lakes Express and Enterprise Rent-A-Car make getting around convenient. Overall, this part of Brainerd provides a well-rounded environment for seniors looking to settle down in a peaceful community with essential services close by.

Places of Worship

• Brainerd 7th Day (0.2 miles)
• Oak Street Chapel (1.2 miles)
• St Andrews Church (1.3 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church (1.4 miles)
• Evangelical Good Samaritan (2 miles)
• Heritage Assembly of God (3 miles)
• The Church on the Wise Road (3.2 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.8 miles)
• Jimmy John's (1 miles)
• Sakura Express (1.1 miles)
• Yesterday's Gone (1.3 miles)
• Chocolate International Etc (1.4 miles)
• Jr's No. 19 BBQ (1.8 miles)
• Dennis Drummond Wine Co. (1.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Cub Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Thrifty White Drug (1.3 miles)
• Thrifty Nystrom Drug (1.4 miles)
• Thrifty White Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Guidepoint Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Service Drug (2.2 miles)

Cafes

• Knotty Pine Bakery (1.5 miles)
• Coco Moon (1.5 miles)
• Wings Airport Cafe (3 miles)
• Stonehouse Coffee (3.6 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (3.9 miles)

Parks

• Kiwanis Park (1.8 miles)
• Northland Arboretum (2.9 miles)
• Berrywood Park (3.1 miles)
• Baxter Park (5.4 miles)
• Kart Kountry (6.6 miles)
• Brainerd Region Geological Marker (8.8 miles)
• East Gull Lake Tennis Courts (9.5 miles)

Physicians

• Essentia Health-Lakeland Psychiatry Clinic (1.9 miles)
• Essentia Health St Joseph’s Cancer Center (1.9 miles)
• MRO Brainerd Radiation Therapy Center (1.9 miles)
• Lakes Urology Clinic (1.9 miles)
• Northern Orthopedics (2 miles)
• Northern Eye Center PA (2.1 miles)
• David I Sabir (2.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center (1.9 miles)
• Brainerd Lakes Integrated Health System (2.1 miles)
• Brainerd Medical Center (2.1 miles)
• Allina Health (4 miles)
• Community Behavioral Health (4.3 miles)

Transportation

• Lakes Express (2 miles)
• Executive Express (3.4 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (3.7 miles)
• Anderson's Taxidermy (8.8 miles)