Windy Acres Assisted Living, Inc.

Pros

• The facility is described as friendly.
• Bob is in their care and looks happy and healthy.
• The reviewers are pleased with the care Bob receives.

Cons

• The facility is not warm or welcoming, and the owner is rude and unprofessional.
• The building is unkempt and untidy.
• The owner is extremely rude; the house is messy and smells of cigarettes, and they do not seem to care for the elderly.
• Since May 2020, the place has gone downhill; the current owner is controlling and unkind, lacking compassion for those in their care; some staff treat residents with contempt and disrespect.
• The facility is not a good place and has reportedly denied a client medication and clothing.

Review

There are several strong and unhappy impressions left by a number of reviews about this facility. One reviewer opens with a sharp warning, describing the place as a poor work environment and not worth recommending to anyone, labeling the staff as rude and disorderly. A recurring thread across the comments is a sense of coldness and hostility rather than warmth or care, with the overall tone emphasizing a lack of compassion and respect for residents. The opening remark about "white trailer trash" sets a scalding, hostile tone from at least one observer and anchors a wider concern that the culture inside is unprofessional and unwelcoming.

Another set of critiques centers on the physical state and atmosphere of the building. Multiple reviewers describe the environment as unwelcoming, unkept, and untidy. The premises are characterized as messy and uncomfortable, with notes that the place not only fails to feel homelike but actually stinks of cigarettes. These details paint a picture of a facility where cleanliness and maintenance are not prioritized, leaving residents and visitors with a sense of neglect and discomfort rather than safety and comfort.

Heat and kindness appear to be recurring issues as well, with several accounts focusing on the behavior and attitude of the owner and management. An "extremely rude owner" is cited, along with impressions of unprofessionalism and a sense that the person in charge lacks basic empathy. The reviews suggest a culture of control and cruelty from the leadership, describing the owner as controlling and unkind, and portraying a broader atmosphere where compassion for residents is limited. In tandem, some staff members are said to treat residents with contempt and disrespect, which compounds concerns about the overall quality of care and the daily experience of those living there.

The timeline of management shifts adds another layer of concern. One reviewer notes that the facility has "gone down hill" since the past owners departed in May 2020, with the current owner depicted as even more controlling and unsympathetic toward residents. This sense of decline after a leadership transition implies that changes in governance may have worsened conditions, rather than improved them, according to the critics. The sentiment touches on consistency, reliability, and a perceived erosion of the standard of care over time.

There are also pointed, specific accusations about care lapses. One reviewer mentions a situation where a client's needs were not met, describing an instance of denying medication and clothing for a client. This kind of concrete allegation underscores fears about basic caregiving tasks being neglected or mishandled. While such statements are singular experiences within these reviews, they contribute to a broader impression of systemic neglect or mismanagement, reinforcing distrust and concern among potential families evaluating the facility.

Amid the many negative comments, there is at least one bright note that stands out. A Christmas message praises a resident named Bob who is in the facility's care, describing him as happy and healthy and the setting as friendly. The reviewer expresses gratitude for the care Bob receives and thanks the staff for their efforts. This positive remark shows that there are moments of satisfaction and care that some residents or their families do experience, offering a counterpoint to the harsher criticisms and suggesting that experiences may vary.

Taken together, these impressions present a mixed and conflicted picture. The majority of the reviews emphasize dissatisfaction with the warmth, cleanliness, and management of the facility, casting doubt on the quality of daily care and the overall environment. They highlight a perception that the owner and leadership may be unkind or controlling, and they raise questions about how staff interact with residents. Yet embedded within the same set of experiences is a thread of appreciation in at least one positive note, reminding readers that individual experiences can differ. For anyone considering care for a loved one, these reviews suggest a cautious approach: read multiple accounts, visit in person if possible, and compare with other facilities to ensure alignment with your expectations for warmth, attentiveness, and respectful treatment.

Forest Lake is a vibrant community with a variety of amenities to offer seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient place to live. With several places of worship nearby, including Real Church Real People and Hosanna Lutheran Church, residents can easily stay connected to their faith. The town also boasts an array of dining options such as Mallards and Culver's, providing opportunities for socializing and enjoying delicious meals. Access to quality healthcare is readily available with physicians like Summit Orthopedics and pharmacies like Rolseth Drug within close proximity. Additionally, the presence of parks like Tolzmann Park and Ironhorse Railroad Park offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, Forest Lake provides a welcoming environment for seniors seeking a peaceful and fulfilling lifestyle in Minnesota.

Places of Worship

• Real Church Real People (1.1 miles)
• Hosanna Lutheran Church (4.3 miles)
• St John's Lutheran Church (6.5 miles)
• Trinity Lutheran Church (7.9 miles)
• Chisago Lake Lutheran Church (9.5 miles)
• Salem Church (11.6 miles)
• Salem Lutheran of Oxford Aflc (11.6 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1.7 miles)
• Lino Air Park (11.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Mallards (1.9 miles)
• Vannellis By The Lake (2.1 miles)
• White Castle (2.3 miles)
• Culver's (2.3 miles)
• Big Apple Bagels (2.4 miles)
• Burger King (2.4 miles)
• Perkins Restaurant and Bakery (2.4 miles)

Physicians

• Summit Orthopedics (1.9 miles)
• St Croix Endodontics Pa (2 miles)
• Adv Dermatology (2 miles)
• St Croix Orthopaedics (2.1 miles)
• Fairview Sports and Orthopedic Care (2.1 miles)
• Carlos Adams MD (2.1 miles)
• Twin Cities Orthopedics Wyoming (2.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rolseth Drug (2 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Thrifty White Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Wyoming Drug (2.7 miles)
• Chisago Drug (5.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Fairview Lakes Medical Center (2.1 miles)
• Fairview Lakes Health Services (7.1 miles)
• Osceola Medical Center (12.5 miles)
• Ladd Memorial Hospital (12.8 miles)

Parks

• Tolzmann Park (3.3 miles)
• Ironhorse Railroad Park (5.7 miles)
• Chuckie Lundquist Park (6.1 miles)
• Surfland Park (6.6 miles)
• Beach Park (7.8 miles)
• Lyman Park (7.9 miles)
• William O'Brien State Park (11.1 miles)

Cafes

• Northwoods Roasterie (8.1 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (11 miles)
• Marine Cafe (11.9 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (12.6 miles)