St Ottos Care Center
Save920 Southeast 4Th Street, Little Falls, MN 56345
For more information about senior living options: (844) 490-3973
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A family member recounts a difficult experience with a facility where their father stayed for only a short while. The overarching impression is mixed: on one hand, there is genuine appreciation for the personal attention and daily care the residents receive, but on the other hand, there were serious concerns about how the facility managed medications, communication, and overall responsiveness during a vulnerable time for their father. The reviewer emphasizes that their father's care did not meet the level they expected, particularly regarding medications that were administered at the same time as others they believed should not have been given. This combination of medication issues and a perceived lack of proactive, attentive care left them feeling unsettled and unwilling to recommend the place without significant improvements.
The reviewer describes attempting to reach the charge nurse after hours to get a status update on their father, who was on hospice care at the time. A CNA answered promptly and was courteous, which offered a silver lining amid the stress of the situation. However, the central problem stemmed from the promise that the charge nurse would return the call. The staffer explained the nurse was busy but allowed for leaving a contact number. The reviewer understood the reality of after-hours demands but found the promise of a callback to be unfulfilled. They waited, first around 7 p.m. or slightly later, and then again into the late evening - nearly 11 p.m. - without any return call. This pattern repeated itself the following day, with the same assurances and the same lack of follow-through. For someone working in healthcare, the writer agrees that being busy is not unusual, but they stress that when a commitment to call back is made, it should be kept, especially in hospice care where timely updates are critical for families.
The lack of timely communication continued to shadow the experience, culminating in the day-after-day reality that no status or progress update was communicated to the family. The reviewer notes that their father passed a day or two after these episodes of unanswered calls, and they were left with the impression that they never received even the smallest update from the nursing department about his condition or what was happening on the floor. This absence of communication during a period of hospice care amplified the family's distress and contributed to a lasting sense of neglect, making the overall experience far more painful than it needed to be during an already challenging time.
Despite these significant concerns, the reviewer is not dismissive of the everyday atmosphere at the facility. They acknowledge that the entire staff is friendly and that residents receive good, attentive personal care. The facility is described as offering meaningful activities and genuine efforts to involve residents and visitors in the daily life of the community. This combination - caring interactions with residents, structured activities, and opportunities for family engagement - paints a picture of a warm, people-centered environment. The reviewer seems to differentiate between the warmth and dedication of the front-line staff who directly care for residents and the administrative or nursing leadership's communication practices that, in their view, failed during a critical period.
Another facet of the critique centers on financial practices, specifically the cost structure surrounding amenities like cable TV. The reviewer questions the necessity and proportionality of charging residents for such services, noting a rate of $10 per month per resident. With roughly 93 residents, that adds up to about $930 per month in cable charges for the facility, a sum they perceive as excessive in light of the substantial monthly charges residents already bear for care, reportedly in the realm of $12,000 to $14,000 per month. The comment "this is just wrong" conveys a strong ethical judgment about charging for TV service when families are already contributing large sums toward care. This financial critique suggests the reviewer believes the facility could better allocate costs or reconsider ancillary charges to reflect the overall needs and burdens faced by residents and their families.
In sum, the reviewer paints a nuanced portrait of the facility. On the positive side, the staff's friendliness, the personal care provided to residents, and the active efforts to engage residents and visitors stand out as genuine strengths. These elements reflect a compassionate, person-centered approach that would be the cornerstone of a high-quality care environment. On the negative side, there are serious concerns about medication management, the quality and timeliness of communication - especially during after-hours and hospice care - and the ethics of charging for cable TV in a setting where families are already paying substantial sums for care. Taken together, the experience is a reminder that excellent day-to-day care must be matched by reliable, respectful, and timely communication, particularly when loved ones are seriously ill and relying on the facility for updates and coordinated care. The overall message to others is a cautious one: the place has many commendable qualities, but improvements in communication, medication safety, and transparent billing practices would make it a more trustworthy choice for families seeking care for their loved ones.
Located in Little Falls, MN, St Ottos Care Center is a premier assisted living community that offers a wide range of amenities and care services to ensure the comfort and well-being of its residents.
The community boasts a beauty salon where residents can pamper themselves and maintain their personal style. Additionally, each resident can enjoy the convenience of cable or satellite TV in their own private space. Transportation services are provided by the community, making it easy for residents to get around and stay connected with the local area.
St Ottos Care Center also features a computer center for residents to stay connected with loved ones and engage in online activities. The dining room offers restaurant-style dining experiences where nutritious meals are prepared and served by the staff. Residents can also take advantage of the kitchenette available for their own cooking preferences.
For recreation and socializing, there are various facilities within the community such as a fitness room, gaming room, outdoor space, small library, and wellness center. Daily activities are scheduled to keep residents engaged and entertained.
In terms of care services, St Ottos Care Center provides 24-hour call system and supervision to ensure round-the-clock support for residents. Assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, transfers, and medication management is readily available. The mental wellness program caters to residents' emotional well-being while special dietary needs like diabetes diets and restrictions are taken into consideration when preparing meals.
Outside of the community premises, there are plenty of nearby amenities conveniently accessible to residents including cafes, parks, pharmacies, physicians' offices, restaurants, theaters, hospitals, and places of worship.
Overall, St Ottos Care Center strives to offer a comfortable living environment with comprehensive care services that cater to the individual needs of its residents while promoting an active lifestyle through enriching activities and access to nearby amenities.
St Ottos Care Center is located at 920 Southeast 4Th Street, Little Falls, MN 56345 in Morrison County, Minnesota
St Ottos Care Center on seniors.fyi includes 5 photos including images showing interior, building, flag, outdoors, dining, trees, architecture, walkway, and more.
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