Scenic Hills Alternative Care is an assisted living and memory care community in Oakdale, MN.
Information last verified:
6230 10Th Street Ste 330A, Oakdale, MN 55128
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
The place is horrible. The house managers are unqualified and incompetent. They hire people like them so they won’t look bad. Residents sit in their own feces in common areas while staff are texting and on personal phone calls. The reviewer's husband was choking one night, and the aide watching TV told him to wait until the commercial before bringing him something to drink. Residents complained constantly to management and nothing was done to correct the situations. Many house managers are there only because they are friends with those who operate the place. The reviewer warns others to turn and run away and explore other options as fast as possible.This community is best suited for independent seniors who require little daily assistance and for families willing to supervise care closely on a continual basis. In practice, Scenic Hills Alternative Care in Oakdale appears to lean on a small cadre of staff rather than delivering a consistently professional caregiving culture. For anyone whose loved one needs reliable help with basic tasks, hydration, hygiene, or timely crisis response, this setting should not be trusted as a steady solution. It can only be considered by those who can actively monitor, challenge, and compensate for care gaps on a daily basis, rather than expecting a turnkey, safety-first environment.
Those weighing alternatives should be aware that the primary requirement is not met here. Anyone who places a premium on resident safety, dignified treatment, and predictable response times would be well advised to explore other options. Families dealing with memory care needs, significant mobility support, incontinence management, or cognitive impairment will likely confront ongoing shortages in attention and accountability. Even respite stays or transitional care would be risky if expectations include consistent supervision and immediate, respectful assistance. In short, this is not the right fit for residents who require dependable, professional care every hour of the day.
In evaluating pros and cons, the balance clearly tilts toward the latter. There are no compelling positives cited in the account that could offset the severe concerns raised. The absence of meaningful strengths, such as proactive care planning, qualified management, robust staffing coverage, or evidenced hygiene standards, means any potential benefits are overwhelmed by the documented risks. A facility can be affordable or conveniently located, yet those factors lose all value when safety and quality of life are compromised. The spacings between care demands and staff capacity appear to be too wide here to trust consistent protection of vulnerable residents.
The core problems are concrete and severe. The review points to unqualified house managers and a hiring approach that seems anchored in personal connections rather than competency. This translates into unpredictable, low-quality care that shows up in distressing scenarios: residents sitting in their own feces in common areas, while staff members are shown distracted by texting or personal phone activity. A crisis moment, one where a husband was choking, was not met with timely, appropriate care, and instead the family was told to wait while an aide finished watching TV before providing assistance. Complaints from residents about care and safety were reportedly met with inaction, and managerial decisions appear influenced by personal relationships rather than best practices or regulatory standards. Taken together, these red flags create an environment where neglect and delayed response are plausible, not rare exceptions.
Given these realities, prudent families will want to conduct a rigorous front-end assessment before any commitment. If the decision is still to visit, insist on seeing a typical shift in real time: how quickly staff respond to belt alarms or call bells, how meals and hydration are managed, and how aides interact with residents with dignity and urgency. Request current staffing charts, turnover rates, and the process for addressing complaints. Review state inspection reports and any incident logs available, and talk directly with current residents or families about day-to-day experiences. If red flags persist, delays in assistance, hygiene concerns, or a pattern of unaddressed issues, alternative communities should be prioritized.
In the final tally, Scenic Hills Alternative Care presents a high-risk proposition framed as an affordable option. For families whose loved ones require even modest levels of supervision, the cons far outweigh any plausible benefits. Alternatives with demonstrably higher standards of staffing, supervision, and accountability should be pursued, especially for residents who cannot advocate for themselves. If choosing this community, plan for aggressive oversight, clear escalation channels, and a willingness to move quickly at the first sign of inadequate care. Otherwise, steer toward facilities with proven, consistent caregiving, transparent operations, and a track record of safeguarding resident well-being.
21 resident community capacity
Assisted Living
Memory Care
Skilled Nursing Facility
Beauty salon
Cable or satellite TV
Cafe
Dining room
Fully furnished
Garden
Housekeeping services
Kitchenette
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Party space
Telephone
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
Minneapolis-St Paul International (13 miles away)
24-hour call system 24-hour supervision
Activities of daily living assistance
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers Coordination with health care providers
Diabetes diet
Meal preparation and service
Medication management
Mental wellness program
Special dietary restrictions
Transportation arrangement (medical)
Transportation to doctors appointments Diabetes diet Special dietary restrictions Activities off-site
Arts and crafts Community-sponsored activities
Educational speakers / life long learning Resident-run activities Scheduled daily activities
EnglishScenic Hills Alternative Care in Oakdale, MN is an exceptional assisted living community that offers a wide range of care services for seniors. With a focus on memory care and skilled nursing facility, our dedicated staff provides 24-hour supervision and assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and transfers.
Our community is designed to provide a comfortable and homelike environment for our residents. Each room is fully furnished and equipped with cable or satellite TV, telephone, and Wi-Fi/high-speed internet access. We also have housekeeping services to ensure cleanliness and tidiness at all times.
For dining options, we accommodate special dietary restrictions and provide delicious meals prepared by our experienced chefs. Residents can enjoy their meals in our cozy dining room or opt for the convenience of kitchenette facilities in their own rooms.
At Scenic Hills Alternative Care, we believe in promoting mental wellness among our residents. We offer a variety of activities tailored to individual interests and abilities. This includes arts and crafts, educational speakers/life-long learning sessions, resident-run activities, as well as scheduled daily activities organized by the community.
To further enhance the lifestyle of our residents, we provide amenities such as a garden and outdoor space for relaxation or socializing. Our party space allows for celebrations or gatherings with friends and family. Additionally, move-in coordination services are available to assist new residents in settling comfortably into their new home.
Ensuring the health and well-being of our residents is paramount. Our caring staff coordinates with healthcare providers for specialized care needs including diabetes diet management and medication management. We also arrange transportation for medical appointments to ensure timely healthcare access.
Located conveniently in Oakdale, MN, Scenic Hills Alternative Care offers proximity to various amenities essential for everyday life. With cafes, parks, pharmacies, restaurants, places of worship nearby there are plenty of opportunities for outings or recreational activities.
We invite you to experience the warmth and compassionate care provided at Scenic Hills Alternative Care. Your loved ones can enjoy a fulfilling and enriching senior living experience in our community.
Scenic Hills Alternative Care is located at 6230 10Th Street Ste 330A, Oakdale, MN 55128 in Washington County, Minnesota
Scenic Hills Alternative Care enhances the quality of life for residents with dementia or Alzheimer's through a comprehensive suite of supportive features tailored to individual needs. Assistance with dressing and bathing fosters dignity while promoting independence, allowing residents to feel comfortable in their environment. Medication management ensures that residents adhere to prescribed regimens, crucial for maintaining cognitive function and overall health. Thoughtful meal preparation and service cater not only to nutritional needs but also to preferences, encouraging healthy eating habits that can positively influence mental wellness. Transportation arrangements facilitate access to medical appointments, while coordination with healthcare providers enables seamless communication regarding each resident's health status. Support with activities of daily living helps maintain routines essential for cognitive stability, while assistance with transfers ensures safety during mobility challenges. The provision of 24-hour supervision guarantees peace of mind for both residents and families alike, ensuring immediate support when needed. Lastly, engagement in a mental wellness program stimulates cognitive function through tailored activities designed to enhance social interaction and mental engagement, ultimately fostering a holistic approach to care that prioritizes both emotional and physical well-being.
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