Arlington Place of St Joseph

Pros

• The staff at Arlington Place is noted for being friendly, kind, loving, and helpful.
• Residents enjoy three high-quality meals a day.
• The facility offers various amenities, including medical and dental services, as well as a beauty shop for men.
• There are organized day adventures available for groups, promoting social interaction among residents.
• One resident appreciates the outdoor patio and the opportunity to garden in waist-high boxes.
• The private rooms are equipped with nice features such as private bathrooms.
• Many residents express satisfaction with their living experience, describing it as "spectacular."

Cons

• The rooms had windows pointed toward an alley, which was not appealing.
• The facility was located in the middle of a residential neighborhood, lacking a proper yard or space for walking.
• The outdoor gardening boxes were deemed unsafe, as they were situated in an alley.
• There was nowhere to sit outside except for a small bench next to a busy road.
• The main gathering room was dark and had too many layers of curtains, creating an unwelcoming atmosphere.
• The overall feeling of the place seemed closed in and dumpy to some visitors.
• The kitchen and dining area resembled a school cafeteria rather than a pleasant eating environment.

Review

The reviews of Arlington Place present a stark contrast in experiences, illuminating both the joys and disappointments of residents and their families. On one side, positive testimonials celebrate the warmth and supportiveness of staff, alongside an array of amenities designed to enrich the lives of seniors. Conversely, criticisms highlight significant shortcomings in location, atmosphere, and overall design that detract from the living experience. This dichotomy raises essential questions about what truly constitutes a suitable home for senior living.

From a glowing perspective, Arlington Place is lauded for its exceptional staff who are described as friendly, kind, loving, and immensely helpful. One family member shared how their 71-year-old brother has flourished in this environment, expressing a desire to remain there until he reaches 90. His enthusiasm is palpable as he exclaims that living at Arlington Place is "spectacular." The carefully crafted daily routine includes three well-prepared meals each day and regular laundry and cleaning services that enhance comfort and convenience. The facility also offers engaging group activities known as “day adventures,” which foster social interaction among residents—a crucial aspect of healthy aging.

Another noteworthy feature mentioned in the positive review is Arlington Place’s extensive range of amenities. Besides medical and dental services readily available on-site, there are beauty facilities catering specifically to male residents. The reviewer highlights their brother’s appreciation for communal spaces like the outdoor patio where he can enjoy fresh air—important for maintaining physical health and emotional well-being. Additionally, the proximity to St. John's University (SJU), where he earned his degree in chemistry in 1969 adds nostalgic value for him while enabling potential visits from friends or former classmates.

On the flip side of these commendations lies considerable criticism regarding Arlington Place's physical environment and urban location. A dissatisfied reviewer pointed out that while the showroom may be bright and cheerful—creating an inviting first impression—the actual living spaces tell a different story entirely. Rooms with windows facing an alley cast feelings of confinement rather than comfort or openness. The geographical decision to situate such a facility within a residential neighborhood raised concerns about accessibility to green spaces or safe walking areas—a vital component for active elderly lifestyles.

Moreover, this reviewer expressed disappointment concerning outdoor facilities. They noted little provision for gardening or sitting outside due to limited space; instead opting for small waist-high gardening boxes positioned in an inconvenient alley setting devoid of safety features like adequate lighting or visibility from other areas in the facility. With only narrow benches next to busy roads available for outdoor relaxation, it appears that efforts toward maintaining engagement with nature fell short—crucial deficits that can significantly impact mental health.

There were further complaints regarding interior spaces designed for gathering residents together; these were characterized as overly dark with layers upon layers of curtains blocking natural light—a stark contrast to what one might expect in a vibrant community home filled with life and energy. Instead of feeling warm or inviting, these common areas seemed gloomy and oppressive—qualities typically associated more closely with care homes than lively senior communities seeking to encourage interaction among their residents.

Finally, another pointed critique revolved around dining facilities resembling school cafeterias rather than fostering an ambiance conducive to enjoyable meal times among friends—a missed opportunity given dining is often central to communal living experiences in assisted facilities like this one. In conclusion, while some find joy at Arlington Place through attentive service and engaging routines surrounded by supportive community members, others perceive significant flaws related primarily to location constraints and inadequately designed communal spaces—but perhaps therein lie lessons worth learning for any future developments looking toward creating optimal environments for senior citizens needing care yet desiring vitality deep into their golden years.

Hospitals

• G-Allen's Properties (1.1 miles)
• CentaCare (6.3 miles)

Parks

• Creekview Park (3 miles)
• Knights of Columbus Park (4.8 miles)
• Riverside Water Park (5.1 miles)
• Sauk Rapids Municipal Park (5.8 miles)
• Oakwood Village Park (5.9 miles)
• Quarry Park and Nature Preserve (6.1 miles)
• Island View Park (6.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Coborn s Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Coborn's Marketplace (3.8 miles)
• W & C Apothecary (4.9 miles)
• The Apothecary (4.9 miles)
• Country Store & Pharmacy (5.3 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (5.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Blue Line Sports Bar & Grill (3.4 miles)
• Kay's Kitchen (3.5 miles)
• Subway (3.5 miles)
• Blimpie (3.6 miles)
• Neighbors Route 75 Bar & Grill (3.6 miles)
• Bello Cucina (3.6 miles)
• Great River Bowl (4.4 miles)

Physicians

• Russell Eyecare & Associates (3.6 miles)
• Central Minnesota Retina Specialists (4.1 miles)
• PineCone Vision Center (4.1 miles)
• Sartell Pediatrics (4.4 miles)
• St Cloud Hospital Sleep Center (4.8 miles)
• Refine Acne Clinics (4.9 miles)
• Center For Pain Management (4.9 miles)

Cafes

• The Local Blend (3.7 miles)
• Gorecki Dining and Conference Center (4 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (6 miles)
• Brigitte's Cafe (6.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Grace Baptist Fellowship (3.9 miles)
• St Francis Xavier Church (4.3 miles)
• St Wendel Parish (4.8 miles)
• Harvest Fellowship (6.4 miles)
• St Stephen Parish (6.6 miles)

Theaters

• Parkwood Cinema Waite Park, Mn (5.1 miles)