Woodlyn Heights Senior Living in Inver Grove Heights, MN

Pros

• Michael, the facility's director, has gone above and beyond in leading his staff with a smile, professionalism, and compassion.
• JoHanna, Jordan, Kiara, Carmen, Rachel, and Sarah are described as special employees who contribute immensely to the positive atmosphere and residents' well-being.
• The staff here are very good to residents and truly care about their care.
• The staff are friendly, informative, and make residents feel welcome.
• Residents have formed lifelong friendships with other residents and staff.
• Under Michael's leadership, the facility has improved, is clean and well-maintained, and medications are delivered in a timely fashion.
• The PT and OT teams are among the best, helping residents progress in rehabilitation.
• The staff are fabulous, personable, and wonderful, and the facility is highly recommended.

Cons

• The facility is described as a horrible place with neglectful care.
• The food is horrible, and the facility is dirty.
• There are never enough supplies.
• Dried feces have been found on bed sheets and showers are unavailable for days.
• Staff tell families they are too busy for showers.
• Residents in wheelchairs would take over the building.
• Residents run in and out at all hours, drink alcohol, and use marijuana, creating an unsafe environment.
• Complaints go unaddressed and families are told to send loved ones elsewhere.
• Medications are poorly maintained, with sleep meds given at wrong times.
• Personal belongings are lost or not returned, and linen is not changed promptly.
• Some staff appear unprofessional, such as an RN who dresses casually.
• Five-star reviews are suspected to be fake and supplied by employees.

Review

Woodlyn Heights Senior Living in Inver Grove Heights is best suited for families pursuing a rehab-to-long-term transition where the therapy team and a culture of dignity are prioritizable, and where vigilant oversight is feasible. Review patterns show a facility that can deliver solid PT/OT and genuinely caring frontline staff in many shifts, and that has benefited from leadership changes aimed at improving the culture and the resident experience. Private rooms and a home-like environment are repeatedly cited as meaningful positives for residents and families who want privacy and a sense of belonging. This is a place where the right mix of committed therapists, responsive aides, and a leadership team focused on turning the facility around can produce meaningful day-to-day improvements - provided one accepts the need for active family involvement and ongoing advocacy.

Those who should consider alternatives are families who require consistently flawless, 24/7 reliability across all operations. The prevailing concern across many reviews is not about intent but about execution: chronic understaffing, delayed call-bell responses, and gaps in basic care and communication. For residents who depend on timely medications, daily showers, or urgent assistance, Woodlyn Heights can be a fragile fit unless family members can stay closely involved and push for accountability. Potential residents with higher needs for safety, predictable routines, or pristine cleanliness may find the experiences reported here too risky or emotionally taxing to endure over the long term.

The key pros - compassionate staff in many shifts, strong rehab capabilities, and leadership driving credibility back into the community - do offer meaningful offsets against the main drawbacks, but only to a point. Families repeatedly praise aides and nursing staff who deliver attention, residents who feel respected, and rehab teams that address pain and mobility well. The most credible counterbalance to the negatives lies in the facility's ongoing emphasis on therapy-driven recovery and in a leadership narrative that insists on accountability, openness, and a culture shift toward resident-centered care. When those elements align, residents can regain function, enjoy activities, and experience a sense of being valued.

Yet the cons are not incidental. Reports of call lights not answered for long stretches, medications being mishandled or delayed, and repeated cleanliness or supply gaps cut to the core of daily safety and dignity. Several families describe environments where the building or rooms feel neglected, supplies run short, and basic protocols lag. Some reviewers recount confrontations with management over care plans, and a few cite experiences that defy reasonable standards of cleanliness and hygiene. Taken together, these patterns pose real risk for anyone who cannot tolerate inconsistency or who cannot maintain an intense level of direct oversight.

For families evaluating Woodlyn Heights, a practical, diligence-first approach is essential. Schedule multiple visits at different times, speak with front-line staff and nurses, and request direct access to care plans, medication administration logs, and therapy progress notes. Probe for staffing ratios on each shift, and ask how call-bell and bathroom-assistance requests are tracked and met. Review the dining experience in person, noting whether meals are served hot and on time, and examine room conditions and cleanliness. If pursuing rehab, insist on a clear discharge plan, ongoing communication with families, and a documented pathway back home. Consider asking for recent health inspections or state Department of Health summaries to understand current compliance status.

The bottom line is that Woodlyn Heights shows a divided profile: meaningful care and effective rehab potential but uneven day-to-day reliability and safety concerns. It is not a throwaway pick, but it requires a specific caregiver mindset: families who can stay engaged, push for prompt responses, and monitor care closely may find it a workable option that improves under strengthened leadership. For others, especially those who cannot tolerate the risk of delayed medications, unaddressed call lights, or lapses in basic hygiene and safety, alternatives should be prioritized. A careful, vigilant intake process - coupled with a defined trial period and clear expectations - will determine whether Woodlyn Heights can become a true, steady home or remains a facility whose flaws outsize its redeeming qualities.

Located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors. Close proximity to AMC Inver Grove 16 theater provides entertainment options, while nearby physicians such as Soundpoint Audiology and Entira Family Clinics offer convenient healthcare services. Multiple pharmacies like Walgreens and Prime Therapeutics ensure easy access to medication. For dining options, there are familiar chains like McDonald's and White Castle, as well as local establishments like Boulevard Bar & Grille. The presence of parks like Roosevelt Field and Heritage Village Park provide opportunities for outdoor leisure activities. Additionally, various places of worship such as Woodcrest Church and Five Oaks Community Church contribute to the spiritual well-being of residents. Hospitals like United Hospital Joint Replacement Center are within a short drive for any medical emergencies. Transportation options include Union Depot and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport for travel convenience. Overall, this area offers a blend of essential services and recreational activities ideal for senior living in Inver Grove Heights.

Theaters

• AMC Inver Grove 16 (0.3 miles)

Physicians

• Soundpoint Audiology (1 miles)
• Entira Family Clinics - Inver Grove Heights (1.2 miles)
• James Winsor DR (1.7 miles)
• Entira Family Clinics-West St Paul (2.3 miles)
• Twin Cities Orthopedics Eagan - Viking Lakes (2.6 miles)
• Dakota Medical Solutions (3.2 miles)
• West Side Community Health Services (4.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Prime Therapeutics (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (5.2 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.1 miles)
• Drkula's 32 Bowl (1.3 miles)
• Boulevard Bar & Grille (1.4 miles)
• White Castle (1.5 miles)
• Iwa Sushi (2.4 miles)
• McDonald's (2.4 miles)
• Inver Grove Brewing Co (3.4 miles)

Parks

• Roosevelt Field (1.7 miles)
• Heritage Village Park (2.2 miles)
• Heritage Village Off Leash Dog Park (2.3 miles)
• Sleepy Hollow Park (2.8 miles)
• Burr Oaks Park (3.2 miles)
• Meadow Grass Park (4.8 miles)
• Central Park (5.6 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (4.9 miles)
• Dunn Brothers Coffee (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Woodcrest Church (5.5 miles)
• Five Oaks Community Church (5.9 miles)
• Cathedral of St Paul (6 miles)
• WW Studio (6.3 miles)
• St George Greek Orthodox Church (6.7 miles)

Hospitals

• United Hospital Joint Relacement Center (5.7 miles)
• Woodwinds Health Campus-Woodbury (5.8 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital-St Paul (6 miles)
• Regions Hospital Burn Center (6.4 miles)
• VA Medical Center (7.4 miles)

Transportation

• Union Depot (5.8 miles)
• Concourse A (6.7 miles)
• Concourse C (7 miles)
• Delta Sky Club (7 miles)
• Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) (7.1 miles)
• Terminal 1-Lindbergh (7.3 miles)
• Concourse D (7.3 miles)