Golden Horizons of Sandstone

Pros

• The facility is clean and well-kept, providing a pleasant environment for residents.
• Staff members are friendly, caring, and dedicated to the well-being of the residents.
• Residents enjoy a variety of activities, including music, crafts, and games.
• The apartments are beautiful and functional, contributing to a home-like atmosphere.
• Many families appreciate the overall positive experience their loved ones have at Golden Horizons of Sandstone.
• The dining options are satisfactory, with some residents expressing happiness about the meals served.
• The smaller size of the memory care unit allows for more personalized attention for residents.
• Families feel that the value for cost is good compared to other facilities in the area.
• The community fosters a warm and welcoming environment that makes visits enjoyable.

Cons

• The caregivers at Golden Horizons varied in cheerfulness and niceness, leading to inconsistent experiences for residents.
• The quality of meals was not impressive, lacking balance between protein, vegetables, and starches, and showed inconsistency from day to day.
• Communication about care and services was spotty, causing frustration for family members.
• There were limited activities available for residents, leading to complaints about engagement opportunities.
• Some personal essential supplies were not included in the price, which caused dissatisfaction among families.
• Concerns arose regarding a lack of cleanliness in residents' bathrooms during their stay.
• Instances of bullying among residents were reported with no action taken by staff to address the issue.
• Residents' needs were sometimes miscommunicated or not addressed promptly, leading to confusion for family members.
• A few staff members were described as rough around the edges, impacting overall care experience negatively.
• Overall experiences indicated a need for more initiative from employees in managing residents' care effectively.

Review

Golden Horizons of Sandstone has received a diverse array of reviews from families whose loved ones have resided in the facility, painting a multifaceted picture of the assisted living experience there. Many families commend the overall cleanliness and welcoming environment of the facility, highlighting how its organized layout and homey appearance contribute to a positive atmosphere. The staff is frequently mentioned as one of the standout features, with several reviewers describing them as kind, attentive, and dedicated to treating residents like family members. This sense of care appears to foster a community where both residents and their visiting relatives feel comfortable and valued.

Despite the favorable impressions of the staff, some reviews suggest that there is variability in caregiver performance. While many caregivers are described as cheerful and competent, others are noted for lacking engagement or motivation in their roles. The inconsistency among caregivers can lead to an uneven experience for residents, which is concerning for families placing their loved ones in what they hope will be a nurturing environment. Communication also comes up as an area needing improvement; multiple families report spotty updates on their loved ones' well-being or needs—which can add stress when families are trying to remain informed about daily occurrences at Golden Horizons.

Another common theme throughout these reviews pertains to food quality and meal planning. While some family members express satisfaction with their loved one's dining experiences—mentioning great food that encourages regular eating—others criticize the meals for being poorly balanced and inconsistent from day to day. The suggestion has been made for hiring a more effective dietitian to improve nutritional offerings across all meals. Families emphasize that proper nutrition is vital for maintaining health and well-being within residential care settings; therefore, this feedback indicates a crucial area where Golden Horizons could enhance its operations.

Activities offered at Golden Horizons present another mixed bag according to residents’ families. Some praise the variety available—from musical performances to crafts—stressing that engaging activities play an essential role in keeping residents happy and stimulated. However, others note that certain activities may require fine motor skills that not all residents possess, thus excluding those who might otherwise enjoy participation. Additionally, concerns about limiting activity options arise; some families feel there should be more structured programming available to keep everyone engaged consistently.

Families often express satisfaction with specific features of Golden Horizons’s design—a smaller facility size provides intimacy while enhancing personalized care opportunities. With only fourteen memory care rooms available, it fosters a sense of community among residents and assists staff in providing individualized attention whenever possible. Residents also appreciate additional amenities such as hairdressing services on-site or secure outdoor areas specifically designed for memory care patients; these elements offer comfort while ensuring safety in daily living.

Nonetheless, not all experiences are positive; numerous individuals share alarming accounts regarding issues such as inadequate communication regarding personal needs or situations affecting loved ones directly within their rooms or common areas. Instances include unaddressed maintenance problems or disagreements among residents leading to bullying behavior going unchecked by staff members—a serious concern given the potential impact on vulnerable individuals in these communities. Furthermore, complaints surfaced regarding unexpected charges relating to personal supplies not included with monthly fees—indicating further transparency needed concerning costs associated with residing at Golden Horizons.

In summary, while Golden Horizons of Sandstone generally stands out positively through its clean facilities and caring staff dedicated to promoting resident wellbeing through various programs offered throughout each week—including outings—there remain significant areas calling for improvement including meal quality consistency, communicative practices between staffers and family members alike along with ensuring activities meet broad mobility levels appropriately tailored towards individual capabilities amongst all residents involved.

Sandstone, Minnesota is a quaint and peaceful community with a variety of amenities that cater to senior living needs. With two nearby hospitals, including Kanabec Hospital just 7.7 miles away, residents have access to quality healthcare services. Additionally, there are several pharmacies in close proximity for convenient medication management. Transportation options such as Attaboys Taxi Service and U-Haul Neighborhood Dealers make it easy to get around town or run errands. The area also offers a selection of restaurants, cafes, and places of worship for socializing, dining, and spiritual fulfillment. For those who enjoy the outdoors, there are parks like Robinson Park and Banning State Park nearby for leisurely walks or picnics. Overall, Sandstone provides a comfortable and welcoming environment for seniors looking to settle down in a friendly community with essential services within reach.

Hospitals

• Gateway Family Health Clinic (0.6 miles)
• Essentia Health-Sandstone (1.1 miles)
• Kanabec Hospital (7.7 miles)
• Lakeside Medical Center (20.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Thrifty White Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Thrifty White Pharmacy (7.9 miles)

Transportation

• Attaboys Taxi Service (0.7 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (4.5 miles)
• Field Of Dreams Airport (04W) (6.5 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (8 miles)
• U-Haul (21 miles)

Restaurants

• Subway (0.9 miles)
• SandRocks (1.4 miles)
• Darlene's Daughters Cafe (4.5 miles)
• Halfway Home Saloon (4.5 miles)
• Banning Junction (4.5 miles)
• Doc's On 23 (7.2 miles)
• Silver Sevens Lounge (7.5 miles)

Physicians

• Essentia Health Urgent Care (1.2 miles)
• Vision Pro Optical Hinckley (7.6 miles)
• Gateway Family Health Clinic (7.6 miles)
• Davita (20.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Luke's Catholic Church (1.2 miles)
• United Church of Christ (1.2 miles)
• Assembly of God (1.5 miles)
• Dell Grove Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Sandstone MN, ELCA (4.2 miles)
• Dell Grove Emmanuel Lutheran (4.3 miles)
• Grindstone Lake Bible Camp (6.1 miles)
• St John's Lutheran Church (6.1 miles)

Cafes

• Amy's Country Cafe (1.4 miles)
• Sprouts On 5th (1.4 miles)
• Jan & Gary's Country Dining (1.5 miles)
• Crazy Mary's Cafe (6 miles)
• The Little Mermaid Cafe (6.9 miles)
• Whistle Stop Cafe (7.8 miles)
• Daves Oil & Cafe (14 miles)

Parks

• Robinson Park (1.5 miles)
• Wolf Creek Falls (2.8 miles)
• Banning State Park (4.2 miles)
• Hinckley Fire State Monument (7.6 miles)
• West Side Park (7.7 miles)
• St Croix State Park (12.8 miles)
• General Andrews State Forest (13.3 miles)