Whispering Oak Place in Ellendale, MN

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Whispering Oak Place in Ellendale, MN

Whispering Oak Place is an assisted living and memory care community in Ellendale, MN.

Information last verified:

903 Calvery Court, Ellendale, MN 56026

For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318

4.2 from 17 reviews
5 stars
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4 stars
4
3 stars
1
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1 stars
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Top 5% Senior Living Community in 2021

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Whispering Oak Place Costs & Pricing

Whispering Oak Place offers competitive pricing for its accommodations, although it is positioned at a higher cost compared to the broader market in Steele County and the state of Minnesota. Specifically, the monthly rate for a one-bedroom unit at Whispering Oak Place is $4,300, which surpasses the county's average of $3,936 and reflects a significant difference when compared to Minnesota's statewide average of $2,893. The studio option further highlights this trend, with a monthly fee of $5,000 that also exceeds both Steele County's average of $3,699 and Minnesota's statewide figure of $3,617. While these costs may be higher than those in surrounding areas, they likely reflect the unique amenities and quality of service offered by Whispering Oak Place.

Floor plansWhispering Oak PlaceSteele CountyMinnesota
1 Bedroom$4,300$3,936$2,893
Studio$5,000$3,699$3,617

Overall Review of Whispering Oak Place

Pros

  • pro The rooms are spacious with in-room laundry, open hallways, and a clean, newer facility with a large eating area.
  • pro The facility is very clean and comfortable, and the staff are polite.
  • pro If residents move to memory care, they would be cared for by the same staff, providing continuity.
  • pro The activities area is engaging with puzzles, a computer, and a TV, and the layout makes it easy to find rooms.
  • pro The place has a welcoming, home-like feel with staff who are widely described as helpful and amazing.
  • pro The staff provide exceptional, patient, and loving care.
  • pro They offer countryside road trips for residents to enjoy farmland and scenery.
  • pro The sign outside, "Heroes work here," reflects the staff’s dedication.

Cons

  • pro The facility struggles to hire quality qualified staff, and turnover is high.
  • pro The food could be improved by using fewer pre-made and canned items.
  • pro One reviewer was not impressed by having two people in a room.
  • pro It could use more staff; current staffing is limited.
  • pro It was smaller than other communities the reviewer had seen.
  • pro The rural setting means the facility has fewer facilities.

Review

Whispering Oak Place in Ellendale, MN is best suited for families seeking a warm, home-like environment where seniors can settle into a straightforward, easy-to-navigate setting. It suits residents who value a rural, less commercial atmosphere, large rooms with practical in-room laundry, and a layout that minimizes wandering risk. The community often resonates with families who want meaningful, low-friction daily routines, accessible outdoor experiences, and steady, patient care, especially for memory care residents who benefit from a familiar staff presence and a simple corridor-to-room orientation that reduces confusion.

Those weighing alternatives should consider options that promise higher staffing levels, more extensive programming, or more modern amenities. Whispering Oak Place can feel lean on staff when compared with larger campuses, and some families notice fewer staff interactions than they expect. For families prioritizing private rooms, chef-driven dining, or a broader slate of on-site services, a more expansive facility may deliver greater peace of mind. The rural setting, while charming, also means fewer institutional resources and amenities than bigger towns or metro campuses.

The positives present a compelling offset to the downsides. Large, comfortable rooms with in-room laundry provide autonomy and dignity, reducing frequent resident movement and caregiver load. The straightforward, one-street-through design helps memory-impaired residents find their rooms more easily than in labyrinthine facilities, and the common areas, especially the large dining space, facilitate social connection without overwhelming residents. Staff are repeatedly described as welcoming, patient, and genuinely caring, with many families noting the same team supporting memory care residents across transitions. The addition of a memory care unit with continuity in staffing reinforces familiarity and reduces anxiety, while activities and occasional outings give residents purposeful engagement and familiar country experiences.

Still, the staffing picture matters. Reviews flag a relatively high turnover and a leaner staff presence, which can translate into less hands-on attention during peak times. Some residents may feel the facility is smaller and quieter than others, with fewer staffing cues or visible routines on any given day. The occasional comment about limited private room options, two resident rooms rather than single occupancy, can be a deterrent for families seeking more independence or stronger infection-control comfort. Food quality is cited as improvable, leaning toward pre-prepared or canned selections rather than chef-driven cooking, which can blunt overall satisfaction for residents who place a premium on fresh meals.

When the strengths are weighed against the drawbacks, Whispering Oak Place still presents a practical, dependable choice for a specific profile. The homey ambiance, easy-to-navigate environment, and consistently compassionate staff create a steady, reassuring living experience that can be especially meaningful for memory care residents and their families. The rural charm and opportunity for simple country-oriented activities, like scenic drives and outdoor reminders of farm life, offer valuable quality-of-life anchors that more clinical settings often lack. In this balance, care quality and resident comfort carry enough weight to offset staffing gaps, provided expectations align with what the facility can realistically deliver.

For families deciding to move forward, a targeted due diligence plan will pay dividends. Seek a detailed discussion about typical caregiver-to-resident ratios across shifts, and request a tour of the memory care area focused on staff consistency and daily scheduling. Review sample menus to gauge how frequently meals are prepared on site and whether fresh options can accommodate dietary needs. Ask about private-room availability and associated costs, and inquire how activity programs are individualized for different cognitive stages. Finally, confirm that the resident’s goals, social connection, meaningful activity, medical oversight, and peace of mind for family, align with Whispering Oak Place’s rhythm, then decide with a clear picture of what this community will deliver day to day.

Features

Housing

  • 21 resident community capacity 21 resident community capacity
  • 1-bedroom apartments 1-bedroom apartments
  • 2-bedroom apartments 2-bedroom apartments
  • Studio apartments Studio apartments

Types of Care

  • Assisted Living Assisted Living
  • Memory Care Memory Care
  • Skilled Nursing Facility Skilled Nursing Facility

Pets

  • Cats allowed Cats allowed
  • Dogs allowed Dogs allowed

Amenities

  • Activities off-site Activities off-site
  • Activities on-site Activities on-site
  • Air-conditioning Air-conditioning
  • Beautician on-site Beautician on-site
  • Beauty salon Beauty salon
  • Cable or satellite TV Cable or satellite TV
  • Devotional services off-site Devotional services off-site
  • Devotional services on-site Devotional services on-site
  • Dining room Dining room
  • Full kitchen Full kitchen
  • Fully furnished Fully furnished
  • Garden Garden
  • General store General store
  • Ground floor units Ground floor units
  • Guasts at mealtime Guasts at mealtime
  • Guest parking Guest parking
  • Handicap accessible Handicap accessible
  • Housekeeping services Housekeeping services
  • Indoor common areas Indoor common areas
  • Kitchenette Kitchenette
  • Laundry Laundry
  • Move-in coordination Move-in coordination
  • Outdoor common areas Outdoor common areas
  • Outdoor space Outdoor space
  • Overnight guests Overnight guests
  • Party space Party space
  • Resident parking Resident parking
  • Respite or short term stays offered Respite or short term stays offered
  • Security gate Security gate
  • TV room TV room
  • Telephone Telephone
  • VA Benefits Consultation VA Benefits Consultation
  • Wheelchair accessible showers Wheelchair accessible showers
  • Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available

Transportation

  • Transportation & parking Transportation & parking

Care Services

  • 24-hour call system 24-hour call system
  • 24-hour supervision 24-hour supervision
  • Activities of daily living assistance Activities of daily living assistance
  • Assistance with bathing Assistance with bathing
  • Assistance with dressing Assistance with dressing
  • Assistance with transfers Assistance with transfers
  • Companion care Companion care
  • Coordination with health care providers Coordination with health care providers
  • Dementia waiver Dementia waiver
  • Diabetes diet Diabetes diet
  • Diabetic care Diabetic care
  • Hospice care Hospice care
  • Hospice waiver Hospice waiver
  • Incontinence care Incontinence care
  • Meal preparation and service Meal preparation and service
  • Medication management Medication management
  • Mental wellness program Mental wellness program
  • Mild cognitive impairment Mild cognitive impairment
  • Personal care assistants Personal care assistants
  • Physical therapy Physical therapy
  • Special dietary restrictions Special dietary restrictions
  • Specialized memory care programming Specialized memory care programming
  • Transportation arrangement (medical) Transportation arrangement (medical)
  • Transportation to doctors appointments Transportation to doctors appointments

Dining

  • Anytime dining Anytime dining
  • Diabetes diet Diabetes diet
  • Guest meals Guest meals
  • Meals provided Meals provided
  • Professional chef Professional chef
  • Restaurant style dining Restaurant style dining
  • Room service Room service
  • Special dietary restrictions Special dietary restrictions
  • Special dining programs Special dining programs

Activities

  • Activities off-site Activities off-site
  • Art classes Art classes
  • Arts and crafts Arts and crafts
  • Book club Book club
  • Catholic services Catholic services
  • Community-sponsored activities Community-sponsored activities
  • Cooking club Cooking club
  • Day trips and outings Day trips and outings
  • Devotional activities offsite Devotional activities offsite
  • Devotional activities on-site Devotional activities on-site
  • Educational speakers / life long learning Educational speakers / life long learning
  • Fitness programs Fitness programs
  • Games Games
  • Gardening club Gardening club
  • Happy hour Happy hour
  • Live dance or theater performances Live dance or theater performances
  • Live musical performances Live musical performances
  • Other religious services Other religious services
  • Protestant services Protestant services
  • Religious services Religious services
  • Scheduled daily activities Scheduled daily activities
  • Stories Stories
  • Visiting chaplain or priest Visiting chaplain or priest
  • Wii bowling Wii bowling
  • Wine tasting Wine tasting

Description

Whispering Oak Place in Ellendale, MN is a vibrant assisted living community that offers comfortable and spacious 2-bedroom apartments, as well as cozy studio apartments. Our community provides various types of care, including memory care for those with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, and skilled nursing facility services for residents with more complex medical needs.

At Whispering Oak Place, we prioritize the well-being and happiness of our residents. We offer a wide range of amenities to ensure their comfort and enjoyment. Our residents can participate in on-site activities and have access to air-conditioned indoor common areas. They can also visit our beauty salon or take advantage of our housekeeping services.

Our fully furnished apartments feature full kitchens and kitchenettes for residents who prefer to cook their own meals. For those who wish to dine with others, we have a dining room where delicious meals are served by our professional chef in a restaurant-style setting. We cater to special dietary restrictions such as diabetes diets and provide room service and guest meals for added convenience.

Whispering Oak Place promotes an active lifestyle by offering various activities for our residents. They can engage in art classes, arts and crafts, book clubs, cooking clubs, fitness programs, gardening clubs, games, wine tasting, and more. We also arrange day trips and outings to keep our residents connected with the local community. Additionally, we facilitate devotional activities both on-site and off-site for spiritual support.

Our compassionate staff provides 24-hour supervision and assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, transfers, medication management, meal preparation, and personal care. We also coordinate with healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care for our residents. Physical therapy services are available on-site along with specialized memory care programming for individuals with cognitive impairments.

For added convenience, we offer move-in coordination services and transportation arrangements for medical appointments. Our community is wheelchair accessible throughout with wheelchair accessible showers. Residents can enjoy the outdoor space and take advantage of guest and resident parking.

Whispering Oak Place is conveniently located near cafes, parks, restaurants, and places of worship, providing easy access to the local community. We also offer a VA Benefits Consultation for eligible veterans. With Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available throughout the community, residents can stay connected with their loved ones.

Overall, Whispering Oak Place is a welcoming assisted living community that provides exceptional care, engaging activities, and comfortable living spaces for seniors in Ellendale, MN.

Nearby Places of Interest

Parks

  • Ellendale Park (0.4 miles)
  • SMMAC Air Field (10.2 miles)
  • City Park (12.7 miles)
  • Minot Brown Park (13.8 miles)
  • Kanne State Wildlife Management Area (14.3 miles)
  • Bancroft Bay Park (14.4 miles)
  • Gainey Park (14.4 miles)

Restaurants

  • RJ'S on 5th Ave Bar & Grill (0.5 miles)
  • The Pour House (7.8 miles)
  • The Willows (8.9 miles)
  • Blooming Prairie Cue Company (12.9 miles)
  • McDonald's (13.4 miles)
  • Applebee's (13.4 miles)
  • Plaza Morena Restaurant (13.7 miles)

Cafes

  • Ellendale Cafe (0.5 miles)
  • Starbucks (14.7 miles)

Places of Worship

  • Geneva United Methodist Church (4.1 miles)
  • Community Lutheran Church (4.5 miles)
  • First Lutheran Church (6 miles)
  • First Congregational Church (9.3 miles)
  • St Mary Parish (9.4 miles)
  • Good Samaritan Ministries (9.4 miles)
  • Vista Lutheran Church (9.5 miles)

Pharmacies

  • New Richland Drug (9.2 miles)
  • St Olaf Pharmacy (13 miles)
  • Sterling Drug (13.6 miles)
  • Walgreens (13.7 miles)
  • Hy-Vee Pharmacy (13.8 miles)
  • Astrup Drug (15.2 miles)
  • Sterling Owatonna (15.2 miles)

Hospitals

  • New Richland Clinic (9.4 miles)
  • Blooming Prairie Clinic (13 miles)
  • Owatonna Hospital (14.4 miles)

Transportation

  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car (13.5 miles)
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car (14.1 miles)
  • U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (15.2 miles)
  • A Quality Cab (15.5 miles)

Physicians

  • McGregor Chiropractic PC (13.9 miles)
  • Southeastern Minnesota Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates (14.9 miles)
  • Douglas J Edwards DR (15.2 miles)

Theaters

  • CEC Theatres (14.5 miles)
  • Northwoods Cinema 10 (14.5 miles)

Frequently Asked Questions

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