222 5Th Street Ne, Staples, MN 56479
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Lakewood Manor
Pros
They chose Lakewood Manor for its convenient location in Staples.- The apartment and the building are nice, and the staff are caring, polite, and eager to help.
- The apartments are spacious and really beautiful.
- The dining room has a cafe-style setup that residents enjoy.
- The facility is calm, clean, and furnished with modern decor.
- The meals are satisfactory and enjoyed by the residents.
- The activities appear engaging, with residents finding value in the offerings.
- The care for tenants in the area is described as among the best.
Cons
The care declined after the new director and head nurse arrived in 2024.- The nurse tried to make her walk with a walker after a fall, not noticing she was in pain.
- Mom later suffered a pelvic fracture that staff failed to recognize in time.
- The nurse misinterpreted her pain as attention-seeking.
- The family ultimately moved Mom.
Review
Lakewood Manor in Staples, MN is best suited for seniors who want a calm, home-like assisted living option with clean, modern surroundings and a strong sense of local convenience. This community shines for residents who value a spacious apartment environment, café-style dining, and a quiet, tidy setting where staff members appear caring and available to help. It works well for couples or individuals who want to remain engaged through social meals and accessible activities without feeling crowded or institutional. In short, it’s a practical fit for those prioritizing comfort, decent daily routines, and a convenient Staples locale over a high-intensity medical model.
Families evaluating Lakewood Manor should also consider alternatives when the primary need is rock-solid, consistently reliable clinical oversight and rapid, unambiguous responses to medical events. The most salient caution from past experiences is the risk that leadership turnover can disrupt day-to-day care and leave residents vulnerable during urgent situations. If a resident’s needs include complex medical management, frequent skilled intervention, or a history of falls where pain is not promptly recognized, other communities with more transparent continuity of nursing leadership and clearer escalation protocols may be preferable. The Staples location, while attractive, may not compensate for gaps in caregiving consistency without careful governance checks.
On the plus side, the pros offer meaningful value. The location is a meaningful advantage, easy access to family and familiar surroundings within Staples, paired with apartments described as beautiful, spacious, and well-appointed. The building’s ambience feels calm and clean, with modern furnishings that support a comfortable, apartment-style lifestyle rather than a hospital atmosphere. Dining options are flexible and user-friendly: a café-style dining area invites sociability, yet meals can also be enjoyed privately in an apartment, which supports independent living when desired. The staff generally comes across as polite, attentive, and eager to assist, contributing to a dependable sense of daily stability and a welcoming atmosphere for residents who appreciate a low-stress routine.
However, the most serious con remains a real and actionable concern: leadership changes in 2024 appear to have impacted caregiver judgment and responsiveness. A specific incident where a new nurse insisted on sending a resident to walk with a walker after a fall, despite clear signs of pain and a pelvic injury, highlights how miscommunication and changed oversight can translate into dangerous mistakes. That kind of lapse erodes trust in medical judgment and raises legitimate questions about whom to contact during emergencies and how pain and injury are evaluated. While this may not define every resident’s experience, it is enough to necessitate a careful, proactive review of who is in charge, how care plans are updated, and how promptly changes are communicated to families.
The weight of the pros vs. cons tilts toward cautious optimism, provided one enters with clear expectations and proactive governance. Lakewood Manor’s strengths, the appealing location, comfortable apartments, clean, calm environment, and the ability to choose dining formats, create a solid daily living framework that can support independent seniors and couples well. When paired with attentive staff and a stable routine, these factors offset many typical concerns of assisted living. Yet the recent leadership transition underscores the need for rigorous checks: insist on met stakeholders, confirm ongoing nurse supervision, and verify transparent incident reporting and care-plan adjustments. For families prioritizing resilience, comfort, and neighborhood convenience, Lakewood Manor remains a viable choice, so long as leadership consistency and prompt medical oversight are confirmed before committing.
Actionable truth for decision-makers: arrange a direct meeting with the current director and head nurse, request a current, written overview of fall-management protocols, and review the most recent care plans for a prospective resident. Ask to observe staff-resident interactions during peak hours, and seek candid feedback from current residents about daily routines and any changes since the leadership shift. Inquire about the activities calendar, participation rates, and how outings or social events are prioritized for varying mobility levels. Finally, compare pricing, including what is included in monthly fees, and require a trial period or a clearly defined transition plan if choosing Lakewood Manor. This approach ensures a practical, well-informed placement aligned with the resident’s medical needs, social preferences, and family expectations.
25 resident community capacity
Assisted Living
Beauty salon
Cable or satellite TV
Dining room
Fully furnished
Garden
Housekeeping services
Kitchenette
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Telephone
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
24-hour call system
Activities of daily living assistance
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Meal preparation and service
Medication management
Mental wellness program
Special dietary restrictions
Transportation arrangement (medical)
Transportation to doctors appointments
Beyond the Bingo Hall: 50+ Enriching Activities for Seniors in Assisted Living
Understanding the Distinctions: Assisted Living and Memory Care Explained
Guiding Elderly Parents Who Refuse Assisted Living: 6 Practical Steps