1810 Minnesota Boulevard Se, St Cloud, MN 56304
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A chorus of voices about St. Ben's paints a troubling portrait of elder care that many families feel is more about appearances and paperwork than about compassion and effective daily support. Several reviewers describe a facility where basic expectations - cleanliness, timely help, and respectful treatment - are not reliably met. The thread running through their accounts is a sense of frustration, worry, and disappointment that the very people most in need of attentive, patient-centered care seem to be treated like an afterthought.
Many comments focus on care and attention from staff. One reviewer sums up a belief that "they are not attentive to the patients," recounting a direct, hurtful interaction where a patient who spoke up about a hard pita bread was told, "don't eat it then" and was walked away from. The frustration is not limited to a single incident but appears as a pattern for some families, who feel that the elderly in the facility "are there and need care and compassion," not cold, dismissive responses or a sense that staff see them as a nuisance to manage rather than as people who deserve timely, thoughtful assistance. The occasional positive note - such as a staff member named Terry being described as "very nice" - is acknowledged, but it is far from universal in these reviews.
Cleanliness and the general environment also come under heavy scrutiny. Several reviewers describe rooms that look dirty or not properly cared for, with floors that "don't look like they were since before she checked in." One vivid account even describes spiders crawling on a couch near a lobby area, with cushions lifted to reveal crumbs, suggesting a lack of routine deep cleaning. Another reviewer recounts a common-sense expectation that a facility would be clean and orderly, contrasting it with complaints about crumbs, dirty seating areas, and a noticeably unkempt environment. The repeated sentiment is that the physical state of the building and rooms does not reflect a warm, well-maintained setting that a family would want for their loved one.
Food quality and dietary accommodations are a frequent complaint as well. Several reviewers describe meals as inadequate or unsuitable, including a hard pita bread that could not be chewed by someone with dentures, and salads paired with it. The overall impression is that meals are not prepared with attention to dietary needs or comfort, and in at least one account, meals were described as "cold." Phrases like "they serve them crap for food" capture a blunt dissatisfaction with what residents are offered, underscoring a perception that nutritional care and patient dignity are not high priorities in daily operations.
A number of accounts point to serious governance and safety concerns. One reviewer details persistent miscommunications and mismanagement, noting appointments made without the family's knowledge, and a patient kept on unnecessary medications. The sense from this and related stories is that the care team may be overextended or disorganized, leading to gaps that can affect a patient's health and well-being. A social worker among the reviewers describes experiences with the Executive Director as "cold, callous," and notes that an MD visit took months and felt invalidating and incompetent. When combined with external reporting to the Department of Health and Adult Protective Services, these stories convey a fear that oversight and accountability are not responsive enough to families who feel they must push for basic protections.
Cost emerges as a startling throughline in these reviews. One account highlights a staggering monthly expense - "$15,000 a month" - and extrapolates to a yearly figure of roughly $5.5 million. The frustration here is twofold: families feel the care provided does not justify such costs, and they express a sense that the price is a barrier to receiving truly adequate, person-centered care. By contrast, another family writes positively about CentraCare, praising how staff supported an 85-year-old father in a different facility and outlining how the care provided there stands in sharp relief against the concerns raised at St. Ben's. That contrast underscores a perception that better outcomes are possible, even within the same broader care ecosystem.
Against the backdrop of widespread concern, a few entries express gratitude for the kindness and professionalism of individual staff members, suggesting that care quality can vary from shift to shift or from person to person. One reviewer notes personal appreciation for the kindness of staff, describing it as a blessing for families who rely on their efforts. Yet this sentiment coexists with overarching disappointment about consistency, responsiveness, and the overall quality of care at the facility. The mixed feedback paints a picture not of an isolated incident but of a recurring pattern in which some residents' needs are met with empathy and competence, while others face delays, neglect, or disrespect.
Taken together, the reviews present a multifaceted and emotionally charged portrait of St. Ben's that leans heavily toward concerns about cleanliness, attentiveness, meal quality, and administrative reliability, coupled with troubling questions about the value of high costs when care standards appear uneven. While some families report positive interactions with certain staff members and point to other facilities as better aligned with their expectations, the prevailing tone is one of alarm and urgency: families want attentive, compassionate care for their loved ones and accountability when those expectations are not met.
St Benedicts Senior Community in St Cloud, MN is a skilled nursing facility that provides high-quality care and comfortable living for seniors. With a range of amenities and care services, this community strives to create a homely environment for its residents.
Residents can enjoy their favorite TV shows with cable or satellite TV in their fully furnished rooms. They can relish delicious meals in the communal dining room or prepare their own food in the kitchenette provided. Housekeeping services ensure that the living spaces are always clean and tidy.
For those who love spending time outdoors, there is a garden and outdoor space where residents can relax and enjoy the fresh air. Telephone and Wi-Fi/high-speed internet facilities are available to stay connected with loved ones.
Professional staff provide 24-hour supervision and assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, transfers, and medication management. The community also coordinates with healthcare providers to ensure personalized care for each resident. Special dietary restrictions are taken into consideration when preparing meals.
Residents can stay mentally stimulated through the mental wellness program and engage in scheduled daily activities for socializing and enjoyment. Transportation arrangements are made for medical needs like doctor's appointments. Pharmacies, physicians, restaurants, cafes, places of worship, hospitals – all conveniently located nearby make it easily accessible for residents to meet their various needs.
St Benedicts Senior Community offers a warm and caring environment where seniors can receive the assistance they need while maintaining their independence.
St Benedicts Senior Community is located at 1810 Minnesota Boulevard Se, St Cloud, MN 56304 in Sherburne County, Minnesota
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