HealthCorps - The Lodge

Pros

• The Lodge is described as a hidden gem for a 55+ community.
• The facility is wonderful and feels like an all-inclusive resort.
• The Lodge has the best staff who are friendly and accommodating, with terrific value.
• It's a wonderful place to live with lots of friendly people and great food.
• The staff and residents are amazing and friendly.
• The rooms are nice, and tours leave a positive impression.
• The facility is very clean and classy for independent living.
• Mom loves The Lodge, noting it's well cared for with good food and friendly staff.
• Rent includes meals, snacks, and weekly housekeeping, offering good value.
• There are abundant daily activities and an exercise room for residents to enjoy.

Cons

• A reviewer noted the facility lacks 24/7 desk coverage, recounting a resident who fell and lay unattended for two hours before being found.
• The same reviewer criticized policy changes, including prohibiting Christmas decorations, restricting staff outings with residents, and rent increases, while meal service was inconsistent.
• Another reviewer described staff as often yelling at residents for helping them or for assisting with meals or rides, with few employees who treat residents with dignity.
• They reported a room infested with cockroaches that remained untreated for months.
• A former resident's family described a coercive therapy experience that led to injury and intimidation by the manager.
• Several reviews noted wear and tear and maintenance issues, suggesting the facility's condition had declined.

Review

The Lodge is widely described as a warm, welcoming place that feels like a hidden gem for seniors seeking a 55+ community with a social, resort-like vibe. Reviewers emphasize the friendly, helpful atmosphere from both staff and residents, noting that it's easy to connect and make friends. Many who visit or move in immediately pick up on the sense of community, and several comments highlight that the overall experience centers on socializing, meals, and shared activities. The property is repeatedly praised for its inviting feel, with guests and residents alike describing it as a place where you're greeted with smiles and a sense of belonging.

A recurring theme in the positive reviews is the staff and the value. People repeatedly mention "the best staff" - friendly, accommodating, and supportive - along with pricing that feels like a strong value for what you get. Several reviewers call out the all-inclusive nature of the offering, noting that meals, snacks, housekeeping, and a range of activities are included or easily accessible as part of the living arrangement. The facility is described as well maintained, with nice common areas, comfortable rooms, and amenities such as movie and billiards rooms, exercise spaces, and attractive campus grounds. The combination of attentive service and a broad activity calendar makes it feel like a safe, engaging, and affordable retirement living option for many.

Food, rooms, and daily life are frequently highlighted in a positive light. Families and residents alike speak highly of the meals and overall quality of food, along with comfortable, nicely kept living spaces. Activities and events are described as plentiful and varied, offering opportunities to stay active and socialize, with residents reporting they can be as independent or as engaged as they want. The convenience of on-site services, the sense of independence within a supportive community, and the availability of organized outings and programs are common reasons people give for liking The Lodge. Several comments emphasize that living there feels like a well-rounded, comfortable experience - homey and homelike, with the option to participate in as much or as little as desired.

Not every review is entirely rosy, and there are notable concerns raised by a subset of residents and family members. Some point to safety and security issues, such as a resident who fell and lay unattended for two hours before being found by a cleaner, which raises questions about desk coverage and staff presence at all times. There are also reports of wear and aging in parts of the facility, with some reviewers acknowledging that the building shows wear and tear and that certain maintenance or infrastructure issues may persist for a time. A few accounts describe frustration with the level of responsiveness or a perceived lack of 24/7 desk coverage, and there are mentions of stricter or stricter policies that affect daily life, like restrictions on staff outings or the degree to which employees participate in resident activities.

There are some deeply troubling personal experiences shared by former residents, which color the overall impression for prospective readers. One review recounts a traumatic sequence in 2019 involving a mandatory physical therapy assessment that escalated into a spinal injury, followed by aggressive confrontation from the on-site manager and a sense of bullying. The reviewer describes fear and lasting consequences, leading to a reluctance to return after surgery. Another account mentions an apartment or room left infested with cockroaches for months before a partial extermination, accompanied by allegations that staff and management did not handle the situation promptly or empathetically. These stories underscore that, while many people have positive experiences, there have been serious, painful episodes that some residents and families still carry with them today.

Despite the more challenging experiences, many reviews focus on the positives: friendly residents, kind and accommodating staff, and a sense of community that makes The Lodge feel like a genuine home. People frequently say they would recommend the place to other seniors and their families, citing excellent tours, the quality of rooms, and the overall environment as reasons to consider it. A number of individuals express affection for their family members who lived there, noting that parents or relatives thrived or felt well-cared-for when they were there. In some cases, people attest that their loved ones "loved The Lodge" and that the facility provided good food, attentive care, and a warm, home-like atmosphere.

For anyone considering The Lodge, the consensus is nuanced and honest. The facility is portrayed as a welcoming, vibrant community with strong social life, dependable staff, and clear value, ideal for many who want an all-inclusive, activity-filled senior living experience. At the same time, prospective residents should approach with balanced expectations: ask detailed questions about safety coverage and staffing, inspect the property for maintenance needs, speak directly with current residents about their day-to-day experiences, and learn how the administration handles complaints and safety incidents. The Lodge appears to offer a compelling combination of community, convenience, and care for many, while also carrying a history of troubling experiences that underscores the importance of due diligence and open, ongoing communication.

This area of White Bear Lake, Minnesota offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing for senior living. There are several pharmacies nearby, making it convenient to access medication and healthcare supplies. The numerous parks in the vicinity provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, there are a variety of restaurants to choose from, offering options for dining out or takeout. In terms of healthcare, there are physicians' offices and a hospital nearby for medical needs. Places of worship are also readily available for spiritual support. Overall, this area provides a mix of conveniences that may cater to the needs of seniors looking for a vibrant community to call home.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Walgreens (4.1 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (4.2 miles)
• Mix Compounding Pharmacy (6 miles)

Parks

• Joy Park (1.5 miles)
• Lake Varney Park (1.6 miles)
• Playcrest Park (1.7 miles)
• Casey Lake Park (2.6 miles)
• Legacy Pines Park (2.6 miles)
• Rotary Park (2.9 miles)
• Hazelwood Park (3 miles)

Theaters

• Oakdale Cinema Oakdale, Mn (1.5 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Woodbury (7.7 miles)

Restaurants

• The Dog House Bar and Grill (2 miles)
• Golden Corral (2.1 miles)
• Osaka Sushi and Hibachi (2.2 miles)
• Admiral D's (2.3 miles)
• Big Wood Brewery (2.6 miles)
• The Alchemist (2.6 miles)
• McDonald's (2.6 miles)

Physicians

• Jaksa Stephen W DDS (2.8 miles)
• Jacobs Carol RN (2.9 miles)
• Page Graydon T MD (3 miles)
• Northern Lights Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine (3.6 miles)
• Healthpartners Clinics (3.7 miles)
• Victhom Human Bionics (4 miles)
• HealthPartners Clinic (4.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Mary of the Lake Church (2.8 miles)
• Transfiguration Catholic Church (5.7 miles)
• St Jerome Elementary School (6.2 miles)
• Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (7.2 miles)

Hospitals

• St John's Hospital-Maplewood (3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.1 miles)