Vista Prairie at River Heights
Save744 19th Ave North, South Saint Paul, MN 55075
For more information about senior living options: (844) 490-3973
Vista Prairie at River Heights offers competitive pricing for its room types when compared to both Dakota County and the state of Minnesota. For a studio, residents can expect to pay $3,085 per month, which is notably lower than the county average of $3,683 and slightly below the state average of $3,617. However, for one-bedroom accommodations, Vista Prairie's rate of $3,370 exceeds both the Dakota County rate of $2,715 and the statewide average of $2,893. In terms of two-bedroom units, the cost at River Heights stands at $4,035 per month - substantially higher than both Dakota County's average of $2,580 and Minnesota's overall average of $2,955. This pricing landscape reflects a unique positioning within the marketplace that could be influenced by various amenities or services offered at Vista Prairie at River Heights.
| Floor plans | Vista Prairie at River Heights | Dakota County | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,085 | $3,683 | $3,617 |
| 1 Bedroom | $3,370 | $2,715 | $2,893 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $4,035 | $2,580 | $2,955 |
River Heights comes through in many reviews as a living, breathing community with a lot of warmth, activity, and care. Several people paint a picture of a place where there's always something going on and where the food is consistently praised. Residents and their families frequently mention the welcoming atmosphere, the joy and dedication of the Resident Assistants, and a sense that the staff genuinely cares about the people who live there. One reviewer even calls River Heights a "wonderful place" with a strong sense of community, ready to welcome new faces and keep existing residents engaged with a range of programs.
Family members describe their loved ones thriving in memory care and in assisted living, especially after key staff changes. A mother who has lived at River Heights for several years notes tangible improvements after major organizational moves, including a purchase and a merger. She highlights the life enrichment director, Arielle, whose energy and approach helped her mom embrace activities she previously avoided. The on-site physical therapy program is another big plus for families who want convenient access to rehabilitation services. And there's broad appreciation for the way family members can remain connected, with some reviewers explicitly praising how well the facility keeps in touch.
A recurring positive thread is the staff's longevity and the relational quality they bring to daily life. Several reviewers point to staff members who stand out for their kindness and reliability, describing the staff as friendly, flexible, and attentive to residents' needs. The campus environment - plenty of outdoor space, a front-door area where families can sit, and a general sense of openness - also contributes to a comfortable, home-like experience. Some families even suggest enhancements, such as additional outdoor furniture for residents who like to sit outside with visiting family, indicating that while the core experience is strong, there are always thoughtful refinements that could improve comfort.
However, the review landscape is not uniformly positive. A substantial portion of feedback centers on concerns about leadership, turnover, and operational consistency. One reviewer describes River Heights as a "nightmare come to life," citing rapid, repeated changes in key positions over a short period and accusing certain executives of misrepresentation and poor accessibility. They paint a picture of persistent staffing shortages, especially on weekends, which affected medication administration and overall care. This review also references a sense that services were overcharged and not fully delivered, with an insistence that there be substantial financial adjustments when services were not provided as promised. Such accounts underscore how important steady leadership and reliable staffing are to residents and their families.
Other negative experiences focus on the administrative and managerial climate. A former visitor describes a revolving door of executive directors after a cherished leader departed, suggesting that the facility found itself overwhelmed by leadership gaps. This sentiment is paired with criticisms of communication, availability, and respect within the staff hierarchy, painting a broader view of a facility that may be good in some moments but unstable in others. Some reviewers specifically mention concerns about oxygen administration lapses and other basic caregiving issues, illustrating how critical consistent, attentive care is to family members who entrust River Heights with their loved ones.
There are also highly charged allegations that further complicate the overall impression. One reviewer makes a grave accusation about an employee named Cassie, claiming theft and harm to clients. Another account recounts an incident of theft involving a wallet during a visit and describes unhelpful responses from management, including a police intervention and claims regarding a staff member who allegedly claimed a "psychic medium" approach to handling the situation. While these anecdotes clearly reflect serious and unsettling experiences, they also demonstrate the range of emotions families feel and how crucial clear, responsible leadership and responsive incident handling are to maintaining trust.
The resident experience itself is described with mixed specificity across reviews. A number of visitors relay positive impressions of the physical plant - the building is lovely, with opportunities for social interaction and visible amenities. Some tours are praised for being thorough, informative, and welcoming, with reviewers noting clean, spacious rooms and satisfactory, if not spectacular, on-site dining. Colorful snapshots emerge of conversations in the dining room, opportunities to participate in light activities like planting, bingo, and hair care services, and occasional outings (such as farmers' markets) that add variety to the routine. Yet several reviewers also note that the offerings may not meet every resident's needs and that activity levels can feel uneven or insufficient, especially for those seeking more intellectual engagement or more frequent programming.
In sum, River Heights is portrayed as a community with real strengths and real faults. The positive narratives emphasize warmth, meaningful interactions with compassionate staff, robust family connections, and a variety of services and activities that support a resident's daily life. The negative narratives, by contrast, spotlight leadership instability, staffing shortages, perceived overcharges, and serious concerns about safety and accountability. For families evaluating River Heights, the takeaway is nuanced: the facility can be a nurturing, lively home with excellent moments of care and community, but it also depends heavily on the particular staff on duty, the leadership team in place at any given time, and the mechanisms the facility uses to address concerns quickly and transparently. If considering River Heights, prospective residents and families may want to ask pointed questions about leadership stability, staffing coverage on weekends, how services are tracked and billed, and what concrete measures are in place to prevent lapses in care and to respond swiftly to any safety or misconduct concerns.
Vista Prairie at River Heights in South Saint Paul, MN is an assisted living community that offers a variety of housing options and care services for seniors. Residents can choose between 2-bedroom apartments or studio apartments, both of which are designed to provide comfort and functionality.
One of the main areas of focus at Vista Prairie at River Heights is memory care. The community is equipped to provide specialized care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. The staff is trained to provide compassionate and personalized support to residents with memory impairments.
The community offers a range of amenities to enhance the quality of life for residents. There are numerous activities available on-site to promote social engagement and personal fulfillment. The indoor and outdoor common areas provide spaces for relaxation and socialization, while the TV room offers entertainment options. Additionally, there is high-speed internet throughout the community for residents who wish to stay connected.
Vista Prairie at River Heights prioritizes dining as an important aspect of resident satisfaction. Meals are provided by a professional chef in a restaurant-style dining setting. Special dietary restrictions can be accommodated, ensuring that all residents have access to food that meets their needs.
Care services at Vista Prairie at River Heights include medication management, diabetic care, hospice care, incontinence care, and high acuity care. The staff works closely with residents and their families to develop personalized care plans that address individual needs.
The location of Vista Prairie at River Heights provides easy access to various amenities in the surrounding area. There are nearby cafes, parks, pharmacies, physicians' offices, restaurants, places of worship, theaters, hospitals, and transportation options.
Overall, Vista Prairie at River Heights is an assisted living community that offers comfortable accommodations, specialized memory care services, engaging activities, delicious dining options, and convenient access to nearby amenities.
Located in South Saint Paul, Minnesota, this neighborhood offers convenient access to a variety of amenities for seniors. With several physicians and clinics nearby, residents have easy access to medical care. Additionally, there are multiple pharmacies for prescription needs and hospitals for more specialized healthcare services. For leisure activities, there are parks for outdoor recreation and theaters for entertainment. Places of worship are also available for spiritual fulfillment. Cafes provide opportunities for socializing over a cup of coffee. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded living environment with essential services and recreational opportunities for seniors to enjoy.
Vista Prairie at River Heights offers competitive pricing for its room types when compared to both Dakota County and the state of Minnesota. For a studio, residents can expect to pay $3,085 per month, which is notably lower than the county average of $3,683 and slightly below the state average of $3,617. However, for one-bedroom accommodations, Vista Prairie's rate of $3,370 exceeds both the Dakota County rate of $2,715 and the statewide average of $2,893. In terms of two-bedroom units, the cost at River Heights stands at $4,035 per month - substantially higher than both Dakota County's average of $2,580 and Minnesota's overall average of $2,955. This pricing landscape reflects a unique positioning within the marketplace that could be influenced by various amenities or services offered at Vista Prairie at River Heights.
Vista Prairie at River Heights offers 1-bedroom apartments, 2-bedroom apartments, and Studio apartments.
Vista Prairie at River Heights is located at 744 19th Ave North, South Saint Paul, MN 55075 in Dakota County, Minnesota
Vista Prairie at River Heights offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to support residents with dementia or Alzheimer's disease effectively. The 24-hour supervision ensures that individuals receive constant monitoring, promoting safety and peace of mind for both residents and their families. Assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and transfers helps maintain personal dignity while addressing the challenges faced by those with cognitive impairments. Coordination with healthcare providers ensures that medical needs are met in a timely manner, while medication management minimizes the risk of errors in treatment. With meal preparation tailored to dietary requirements and specialized memory care programming that engages residents cognitively and socially, the environment fosters both nourishment and connectedness. Additionally, services like incontinence care streamline the management of personal hygiene issues, and transportation arrangements facilitate access to medical appointments, eliminating barriers to necessary care. The mental wellness program further enhances emotional health, recognizing that overall well-being is crucial for those navigating mild cognitive impairment or more advanced stages of dementia.
Vista Prairie at River Heights on seniors.fyi includes 7 photos including images showing dining, interior, windows, kitchen, hardwood floor, appliances, garden, landscaping, and more.
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