Encore at North Branch

Pros

• The community was very easy to work with and accommodating.
• The staff is knowledgeable and nice.
• Communication at the community is fine.
• Meals are offered three times a day.
• Most of the staff were kind and did a good job.
• The location of the facility is great for families.
• Encore at North branch offers fantastic activities and builds a sense of community among residents.
• Staff at Encore is attentive and genuinely caring.
• The caring staff at Gracewood helps ease the transition for residents into assisted living.
• The staff at Bickford of North Branch is competent, friendly, and the facility is secure and clean.
• Many staff members at Gracewood have been there for a long time, indicating quality care.
• Gracewood of North Branch has a personal homey atmosphere and provides different activities throughout the week.

Cons

• "Bills not paid, place is going to be shut down by the state if some problems don’t get attended to like kitchen plumbing and the sidewalk in front."
• "Management non-responsive when you have a billing inquiry."
• "They don’t pay their gas bill, almost been cut off several times."
• "Sidewalk in front of building is a death hazard."
• "Nobody ever answers the door nor the phone!"
• "Memory care is most under-staffed and residents are left unattended while staff is/has cares in a specific resident's room."
• "It seems like people end up spending a lot of time in their rooms, although I understand that's just kind of the nature of this type of place, especially with short staffing."

Review

Encore at Hugo is highly recommended by satisfied customers who found the community easy to work with and accommodating. The staff is described as nice and knowledgeable, providing good communication and offering three meals a day. While there were no special diet options available, residents had choices if they wanted something different. One reviewer expressed feeling comfortable leaving their loved one in the care of Encore at Hugo.

Similarly, Encore at North Branch was chosen for its wonderful and helpful staff, as well as its more intimate size compared to other facilities. The location also proved convenient for the reviewer's family. The facility is praised for its activities and efforts to build a sense of community among residents. Overall, it was deemed a good transition and the reviewer would recommend it.

The attentive and genuinely caring staff at Encore make residents and their families feel safe and well taken care of. This is particularly important for elderly individuals who may require additional support. Another reviewer mentioned how the caring staff helped ease their father's transition into assisted living by listening to his needs, treating him like family, and engaging with his stories.

A recurring theme is the longevity of Encore's staff, which suggests they provide quality care. Even during respite stays, reviewers found that their loved ones were remembered and warmly welcomed back. Cleanliness was also noted as a positive aspect of the community.

However, not all reviews are positive. Some complaints include unpaid bills, potential state intervention due to unresolved issues like kitchen plumbing and hazardous sidewalks, and difficulties reaching management through phone or in person.

Moving on to Bickford of North Branch, this facility is described as very nice, clean, and pleasant smelling. The competent staff are friendly toward both residents and visitors. Activities include outings on Tuesdays to various destinations such as restaurants or stores like Walmart or the Dollar Store. Residents stay active through activities like bingo while also enjoying visits from local school children who volunteer their time.

Gracewood Senior Living of North Branch is commended for its caring staff, many of whom have been there for years. The facility is clean and the rooms reflect the personalities of the residents. Regular visits from friends and family members are observed, indicating a strong sense of community and support.

Another reviewer notes that Gracewood offers activities like bingo, puzzles, and music to keep residents engaged. While some minor maintenance issues were mentioned, overall satisfaction with friendly staff was expressed.

In terms of staffing concerns, one reviewer feels that management only provides the minimum number of staff per shift. This can be particularly concerning in memory care where residents may be left unattended while staff attends to specific individuals' needs. Additionally, another reviewer suggests that more staff may be needed as some residents are seen leaving their walkers unattended despite experiencing shakiness.

Overall, Encore at Hugo and Encore at North Branch receive positive reviews for their accommodating communities and attentive staff. Bickford of North Branch is commended for its cleanliness and engaging activities, while Gracewood Senior Living of North Branch is praised for its compassionate care and homey atmosphere. However, staffing concerns are raised in certain cases, highlighting areas where improvements could be made to enhance resident safety and well-being.

This part of North Branch, Minnesota offers a variety of amenities and services that could be appealing for senior living. The area features a range of dining options including fast food chains like McDonald's and local eateries like Olde Brick Inn. There are also hospitals and clinics in close proximity such as Cambridge Medical Center and Allina Hospitals & Clinics, ensuring easy access to medical care. Additionally, residents have several pharmacies nearby for their medication needs. For leisure activities, there are cafes like Higher Grounds Cafe and parks such as Harder Park and Roger Johnson Memorial Park. Places of worship like Salem Lutheran Church and St John's Lutheran Church provide spiritual support for those seeking it. Overall, this area offers a mix of convenience and community resources that could make it a suitable choice for seniors looking to settle down in North Branch.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.2 miles)
• Olde Brick Inn (0.7 miles)
• North Ridge Winery (4.9 miles)
• The Fuse Bar & Grill (5.5 miles)
• Full Moon (6 miles)
• Local Bar & Lounge (6 miles)
• Jumpin' Jacks (6.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Cambridge Medical Center (0.3 miles)
• Fairview Lakes Health Services (10.5 miles)
• Allina Hospitals & Clinics (12 miles)
• Memorial Hospital Association of Cambridge (12.1 miles)
• Cambridge Medical Center Eye Clinic (12.3 miles)
• Abbott Northwestern Hospital (12.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Fairview Pharmacy Services (0.4 miles)
• Lindstrom Snyder Drug (10.3 miles)
• Lindstrom Thrifty White Pharmacy (10.3 miles)
• Thirft White (10.3 miles)
• Chisago Drug (10.6 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (11.1 miles)
• Cub Pharmacy (11.2 miles)

Cafes

• Higher Grounds Cafe (0.5 miles)
• Northwoods Roasterie (10.7 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (11.3 miles)
• Starbucks (11.3 miles)
• City Center Market (12 miles)
• City Center Cafe (12 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (12 miles)

Physicians

• Fairview North Branch Clinic (0.7 miles)
• Allina Medical Clinic (11.3 miles)
• East Central Audiology (11.6 miles)
• Horizons Psychi Atry (12.2 miles)
• Cambridge Eye Center (12.2 miles)
• Fairview Clinics (12.2 miles)

Parks

• Harder Park (2.1 miles)
• Roger Johnson Memorial Park (2.4 miles)
• Lyman Park (9.9 miles)
• Chuckie Lundquist Park (10.6 miles)
• Beach Park (10.6 miles)
• Surfland Park (10.7 miles)
• Tolzmann Park (11.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Salem Lutheran of Oxford Aflc (4.9 miles)
• Salem Church (5 miles)
• Apostolic Gospel Church (5.4 miles)
• St John's Lutheran Church (7.6 miles)
• Country Roads Church (8.8 miles)
• South Isanti Baptist Church (9.3 miles)
• Lakeside Christian Church (9.6 miles)

Transportation

• Wildlife Taxidermy (9.8 miles)