Ashton Care Ctr in Pipestone, MN

Pros

• The therapy department is described as absolutely the best, with great people and doctors.
• Dr. Savio and her team are amazing, caring, empathetic, and never rushed.
• Avera Hospice is amazing and kind, with attentive care for families.
• Pipestone County Medical Center is one of the best medical facilities, with physicians who genuinely care about patients and families.
• Rachelle Vandegriend is a GP who takes her time, listens, and makes patients feel comfortable.
• The PCMC facility is beautiful, modern, and inviting, with compassionate staff.
• The nurses and staff at Pipestone County Medical Center are attentive, compassionate, and go above and beyond for patients.
• The hospital staff are helpful, courteous, and very caring to every need across departments.
• PCMC offers extensive in-house services and a wide range of specialties, bringing care close to home.

Cons

• They waited all day to see a doctor, but no doctor was seen.
• The communication was ridiculous.
• They felt the health field failed to care for the unhealthy.
• The transport back to the nursing home was ridiculous due to lack of communication.
• The nursing home was not happy about mom's return without answers.
• The clinic staff yelled at them for wasting time and charged thousands.
• In the ER, they were yelled at for not bringing in sooner and for wasting ER time.
• The staff couldn't diagnose strep throat.
• The staff overcharged the patients for their yelling.
• The ER service is horrible.
• Administration showed a lack of concern for the patient's condition.
• The clinic lacked doctors and availability.
• They were advised to go there at their own risk.
• They would not recommend going there.

Review

Ashton Care Center in Pipestone is best suited for seniors who need steady daily support with a clear emphasis on rehabilitation and therapy. The standout draw is a therapy department reported to be outstanding, with therapists who drive recovery and independence. Families will find a caregiving team that feels cohesive, with nursing and front-desk staff consistently praised for competence and kindness. The atmosphere leans toward practical, hands-on care rather than a sterile, impersonal routine, making it a solid choice for residents who require regular assistance alongside meaningful rehab and activity options.

Those weighing alternatives should recognize that this community sits within a regional health ecosystem where acute medical care largely funnels through Pipestone’s hospitals. If the plan hinges on effortless, hospital-level responsiveness or rapid, reliable ER access, this setting may raise concerns. Several reviews underscore frustrating experiences with local emergency departments, long waits, variable staff behavior, and communication gaps, factors that could push families to favor facilities with closer affinity to larger, more resource-rich hospital networks or to pursue care options that minimize hospital reliance.

Pros to lean on include a strong, rehab-focused program and a caregiving culture many families remember as compassionate. The combination of skilled nurses and friendly reception staff contributes to a smoother daily life, while the environment itself tends to be clean and welcoming. The ability to coordinate in-house rehab, speech, or occupational therapy can shorten transitions after hospital stays and support ongoing improvement without requiring distant travel. For residents recovering from surgeries, strokes, or falls, consistent rehab attendance translates into tangible gains and a clearer path to regained independence.

However, the community is not without notable drawbacks. The broader care landscape in Pipestone has produced persistent feedback about communication gaps, delays, and occasional frustration with hospital interactions when quick medical decisions are needed. Families should be prepared for the possibility that coordinating information between the facility, physicians, and family can take time, and that not every interaction will meet expectations. There is also a sense in some comments that frontline staff can be uneven in handling difficult conversations, which can heighten stress during delicate medical moments.

Still, the core strengths can blunt these weaknesses. A robust rehab orientation, paired with dedicated staff and a stable, home-like environment, reduces unnecessary hospital transfers and supports a smoother care continuum. For residents who prioritize rehabilitation progress, daily activity engagement, and dependable routines, Ashton delivers real value. The practical benefit is less disruption in the day-to-day life, with a clear plan for therapy and safety embedded in a facility that encourages family involvement and ongoing progress monitoring.

Decision-makers should align expectations with the resident’s trajectory. If rehabilitation and ongoing daily support are the priority, Ashton is a credible, capable option in Pipestone. If the top priority remains immediate access to acute medical care or highly responsive hospital-level services, consider alternatives tied to larger medical complexes. In evaluating, visitors should observe therapy sessions, speak with the administrator about discharge planning, inquire about caregiver-to-resident ratios and staffing consistency, and assess how communication flows back to families. In short, Ashton is a solid match for those seeking rehab-focused, person-centered care in a welcoming setting; for those whose needs demand high-touch acute medical responsiveness, the search should continue elsewhere.

Located in Pipestone, Minnesota, this area offers a range of amenities suitable for senior living. The proximity of Pipestone Hospital and Pipestone County Medical Center ensures quick access to healthcare facilities. Places of worship like Wels and Good Shepherd Ev Lutheran Church-Wels provide spiritual support, while nearby restaurants such as Dari King and Lange's Cafe offer convenient dining options. Parks like Pipestone Park & Recreation and Water Tower Park provide opportunities for leisurely walks and outdoor activities. Pharmacies like Coborn's and Snyder Drug are easily accessible for medication needs. Additionally, there are cafes like Finnian’s Coffee House for socializing with friends over coffee. Overall, this area provides a mix of essential services and recreational opportunities ideal for seniors looking to settle in a welcoming community.

Hospitals

• Pipestone Hospital (0.1 miles)
• Pipestone County Medical Center (0.1 miles)
• Jasper Clinic (10.4 miles)
• Dagel Farms (18.7 miles)
• Tyler Healthcare Center Avera Health (21.6 miles)
• Tyler Healthcare Center (21.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Wels (0.1 miles)
• Good Shepherd Ev Lutheran Church-Wels (0.2 miles)
• Our Saviour's Lutheran Church (0.3 miles)
• Christian Reformed Church (0.3 miles)
• Cornerstone Free Church (0.3 miles)
• General Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists (0.4 miles)
• First Lutheran Church (0.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Dari King (0.3 miles)
• McDonald's (0.8 miles)
• Hatfield Roadhouse (0.8 miles)
• Lange's Cafe (0.9 miles)
• Los Tulipanes (1.3 miles)
• Villager Restaurant (1.3 miles)
• Staci's Bar & Grill (11.1 miles)

Transportation

• Burlington Northern Railroad (0.3 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (1.4 miles)
• Second Nature Taxidermy (11.9 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (21.7 miles)

Physicians

• Dr. Paul Henriksen (0.6 miles)

Parks

• Pipestone Park & Recreation (0.7 miles)
• Water Tower Park (1 miles)
• Leon H Moore Park (1 miles)
• Pipestone Indian Shrine Association (1.3 miles)
• Pipestone National Monument (1.3 miles)
• Split Rock Creek State Park (10.5 miles)
• Edgerton City Park (12.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Coborn's (0.7 miles)
• Snyder Drug (0.7 miles)
• Lewis Drug (14.1 miles)

Cafes

• Finnian’s Coffee House (1 miles)
• Legacy Bistro (18.7 miles)
• Annies Coffeehouse & Wine Cafe (21.1 miles)