Tekakwitha Housing

Pros

• The reviewers show strong concern for residents' dignity and daily comfort.
• Families stay actively engaged, advocating for timely meals and proper attire for residents.
• The value of social interaction is evident, as residents miss visits from daycare staff and children.
• There is a shared commitment to fair treatment for all residents and staff.
• The situation motivates the community to push for improved staffing and better support for floor staff.

Cons

• Residents are neglected.
• The person in the suit prioritizes his pocketbook over resident care and staff morale.
• A resident is left in bed all day wearing the same clothes and shoes.
• Residents are not told when meals are served, and other families have to fetch meals for residents.
• Residents miss seeing daycare children and staff.
• Management shows favoritism toward certain staff and residents, affecting how they are treated.
• Floor staff are understaffed and working far harder than those behind the desk.

Review

A troubling pattern has emerged at a local care facility, where concerns raised by families and residents paint a picture of neglect, misaligned priorities, and a troubling atmosphere of favoritism. The core complaint centers on a sense that the people entrusted with care are being overshadowed by financial and managerial considerations that place the pocketbook and morale of the staff above the daily needs and dignity of the residents. The result, according to those speaking up, is a environment where basic comfort, timely routines, and meaningful social interaction are repeatedly compromised.

One of the most pointed critiques centers on leadership and decision-making. Descriptions of "the guy in the suit" who seems to put his pocketbook first, ahead of the welfare of the residents and the morale of the staff, suggest a culture in which financial or administrative concerns trump hands-on care. Families feel that the money and the way it is managed shape not only the resources available for residents but also the priorities that drive daily operations. When leadership is perceived as valuing profits or executive comfort over consistent care, the trust at the heart of a care community begins to erode, with knock-on effects for both residents and the people who work to support them.

Disheartening anecdotes about individual residents highlight the human cost of these systemic issues. A resident aunt, described as being "out to bed with what she wore all day as well as her shoes," serves as a stark reminder of how basic basic-care routines can slip. In a setting where comfort, safety, and dignity depend on attentive daily care, such lapses are reported as not merely isolated incidents but symptoms of broader neglect. When residents are left in the same clothes or shoes for hours on end, it signals a breakdown in routine, monitoring, and compassionate attention that should be routine in any care environment.

Communication around daily routines, especially meal times, emerges as another weak link. Repeatedly, residents were not told when meals were scheduled, leaving families to intervene by fetching meals for their relatives or assisting in the food handoff themselves. This not only disrupts the residents' sense of normalcy and autonomy but also suggests gaps in the facility's ability to coordinate essential daily activities. The absence of clear, predictable meal times undermines the dignity and comfort that residents deserve and places an unnecessary burden on families who are already managing the emotional weight of their loved ones' care.

The broader social life of residents also appears diminished. The facility is described as missing the daily presence of daycare children and staff, a loss that seems to deprive residents of vital social interaction. Such intergenerational engagement often brings vitality, smiles, and a sense of purpose to residents; without it, the environment may feel more isolating and less uplifting. The absence of these visits is framed as another casualty of the current configuration of care, further eroding the quality of life for those living there.

Fairness, or the lack thereof, is another recurring thread in these concerns. Several residents have reportedly observed favoritism among staff and residents alike, with certain individuals receiving preferential treatment that others do not. When leadership or administrators are seen as shaping outcomes based on personal preference rather than need or merit, trust dissolves and morale deteriorates. Favoritism creates an atmosphere where equity in care - already a cornerstone of good practice - becomes another casualty of mismanaged priorities.

Underpinning all of these concerns is a clear message about staffing and workload. Floor staff are described as seriously understaffed, working tenfold harder than personnel behind the front desk. This disparity points to a systemic imbalance that can leave front-line caregivers stretched too thin to provide attentive, timely, and compassionate care. When those who perform the direct, hands-on work are overwhelmed, it is nearly inevitable that residents bear the consequences in delayed responses, missed cues, and less individualized attention. The fierce demands placed on front-line staff, coupled with limited resources, create an environment where neglect can feel nearly inevitable to those watching from the outside.

Taken together, these reflections sketch a troubling portrait of a care facility facing deep structural challenges. The concerns touch on governance, daily routine, social engagement, fairness, and staffing, all of which are essential to delivering dignified, humane, and reliable care. The narratives point toward an urgent need for accountability, improved staffing ratios, clearer communication, and a culture that centers residents' needs over financial considerations. They also suggest a path forward that would involve listening to families and residents, safeguarding routine and dignity, restoring social programs like intergenerational visits, and implementing transparent, equitable practices that ensure all residents receive consistent, compassionate care.

This part of Sisseton, South Dakota offers a variety of amenities that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient place to live. With multiple places of worship nearby, including Catholic, Lutheran, Christian, and Presbyterian options, residents have easy access to spiritual support and community engagement. The proximity of pharmacies such as Schultz Insurance/Hearing Health Clinics and Pearson Rexall Drug & Jewelry ensures easy access to medications and healthcare services. Additionally, there are numerous dining options ranging from Crossroads Restaurant to Tacos El Bajio and cafes like Billy's Cafe for socializing and enjoying meals. The presence of Coteau Des Prairies Hospital and Indian Health Service clinics provide accessible healthcare services for senior residents. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, parks like Dry Run Number 3 State Wildlife Area offer opportunities for leisurely walks and exploring nature. Overall, this part of Sisseton provides a well-rounded environment for senior living with convenient access to essential services and recreational facilities.

Places of Worship

• Catholic Community Center (0 miles)
• St Catherine Parish (0.1 miles)
• Larry Lundstrom Ministries (0.1 miles)
• Christian Outreach Center (0.1 miles)
• Grace Lutheran Church (0.2 miles)
• Presbyterian Church (0.2 miles)
• Saint Peters School (0.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Schultz Insurance / Hearing Health Clinics (0.1 miles)
• Pearson Rexall Drug & Jewelry (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (11.5 miles)
• Liebe Drug (11.8 miles)
• Lewis Drug (20 miles)

Restaurants

• Crossroads Restaurant (0.1 miles)
• Tacos El Bajio (0.2 miles)
• End Zone (0.5 miles)
• Tastee Freeze (0.5 miles)
• Taco John's (0.5 miles)
• Wing Street (0.5 miles)
• Pizza Hut (0.5 miles)

Cafes

• Billy's Cafe (0.2 miles)
• 3 Bean Coffee (0.5 miles)
• Vintage Inspired Boutique & Delectable Treats (20.5 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (24.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Coteau Des Prairies Hospital (0.6 miles)
• Woodrow Wilson Keeble Memorial Health Care Center Indian Health Service (1.7 miles)
• Indian Health Service (1.8 miles)
• Ransom, Kenneth Woodrow Wilson Keeble Memorial Health Care Center (3.5 miles)
• Browns Valley Clinic (11.5 miles)

Parks

• Dry Run Number 3 State Wildlife (10 miles)
• Pickerel Lake Recreation Area (16.1 miles)
• Big Stone State Park Bonanza (22.5 miles)
• Fort Sisseton State Park (23.2 miles)
• Fort Sisseton State Park (23.4 miles)