Three Links Care Ctr in Northfield, MN

Pros

• The staff are amazing and caring.
• The care service is amazing.
• The staff there were fantastic.
• The staff are on top of communication and feedback.
• A loved one seems very well cared for there.
• The staff provided excellent care and guidance through the diagnosis and treatment plan.
• The community is well taken care of.
• The cottage homes were nicer than the other places.

Cons

• Mom was refused post hospital rehabilitation placement, due to her need for dialysis, as the facility does not provide transport.

Review

Three Links Care Center in Northfield, MN is best suited for families seeking a warm, caregiver-driven environment where staff attentiveness and transparent communication are the central value. It shines for older adults who want a cottage-based, smaller-community feel, with staff who know residents well and keep families consistently informed. The campus is arranged in three distinct cottage collections, each with its own character, allowing residents to settle into a rhythm that suits their preferences while staying connected to care teams. Veterans or families pursuing benefits will find a supportive backdrop thanks to Veterans Assistance accreditation. In short, this is a strong match for someone who prioritizes daily caregiving excellence and personal connection over sprawling, impersonal campuses.

Those who may want to consider alternatives include residents who require reliable, on-site medical transport or post-hospital rehab support. A key limitation here is that the facility does not provide transport, so families must arrange primary and back-up plans for medical trips, including dialysis. When a resident needs regular transportation or there is a risk that back-up plans could fail, this gap can become a real practical barrier. For families facing dialysis schedules or frequent rehab appointments, it is prudent to evaluate communities that offer transportation services, closer proximity to treatment centers, or on-site rehab capabilities. If a centralized, highly regimented program is essential, the cottage-divided model may feel too fragmented for certain care patterns.

The strongest argument in favor remains the caregiving team. Reviews repeatedly describe staff as amazing, caring, and well-trained, with families reporting thorough communication and steady updates on their loved ones. That level of attentiveness translates into tangible peace of mind for relatives and a tangible sense of safety for residents. When the human element is reliably strong, families can entrust daily care to professionals who demonstrate patience, competence, and genuine regard. Those benefits do offset some daily anxieties, but the transport gap remains a real, non-negotiable constraint that no amount of bedside warmth can fully erase.

Environment and layout reinforce the positives. The cottage-style setup fosters privacy, independence, and a home-like rhythm that many families find preferable to a large, impersonal campus. The reality that the community is organized into three different cottage families means prospective residents should tour all three settings to determine which one aligns with personality, routines, and visibility to staff. The ability to transition a resident from a temporary care unit during a dementia-related episode to permanent cottage living demonstrates flexibility and continuity in care, signaling a durable commitment to adapting as needs evolve.

Community strengths extend beyond care quality. The Veterans Assistance accreditation adds practical value for eligible veterans seeking benefits and tailored support. Families consistently highlight respectful staff and transparent feedback loops, a combination that reduces friction and fosters trust. Waiting-list realities, however, matter in planning - openings can be limited, so families need to initiate tours early and be prepared to choose among the cottage options rather than settling for the first available slot. The result is a care home that rewards due diligence with clear lines of communication and steady, compassionate care.

Bottom-line guidance centers on alignment of needs and logistics. Three Links Care Center is a compelling choice when caregiving excellence and a comforting, cottage-driven environment are non-negotiable and when medical transport logistics can be managed externally. For anyone who cannot guarantee reliable transportation to medical appointments or who requires guaranteed post-acute rehab access within the facility, consider alternatives that provide integrated transport or closer hospital proximity. Prospective families should visit all three cottage setups to identify the best fit, then test the reliability of the transport plan before committing. When those conditions align, the community delivers rare warmth, strong caregiver relationships, and a proven track record of attentive, respectful care.

This area of Northfield, Minnesota offers a variety of amenities that may appeal to seniors looking for a peaceful and convenient location. With several parks nearby such as Odd Fellows Park and Cowling Arboretum, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. The proximity to restaurants like Ole Store Restaurant and cafes like Caribou Coffee provides easy access to dining options. Additionally, the availability of pharmacies such as Walgreens and physicians like Ronald Larry Linde offers convenient healthcare services. For those in need of medical facilities, Richardson Hospital and Northfield Hospital are both within close reach. Places of worship are also readily accessible with churches like All Saints Episcopal Church and Emmaus Baptist Church located nearby. Overall, this area provides a blend of recreational, dining, healthcare, and spiritual resources that could make it an attractive option for senior living in Northfield.

Parks

• Odd Fellows Park (0.3 miles)
• Riverside Lions Park (0.4 miles)
• Cowling Arboretum (1.1 miles)
• Tyler Park (1.4 miles)
• Alexander Park Softball (11.3 miles)
• Alexander Park (11.9 miles)
• Central Park (12.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Ole Store Restaurant (0.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.4 miles)
• Quarterback Club (0.4 miles)
• Culver's (0.5 miles)
• Froggy Bottoms River Pub (0.5 miles)
• Tanzenwald Brewing Company (0.5 miles)
• Domino's Pizza (0.6 miles)

Cafes

• Caribou Coffee (0.3 miles)
• Ole Store Cafe (0.6 miles)
• The Cage (0.7 miles)
• Martha's Eats & Treats (2.5 miles)
• Crooked Pint Ale House (12.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• Northfield Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Medicap Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Village Drug (0.6 miles)
• Sterling Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Econofoods Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)

Physicians

• Ronald Larry Linde (0.5 miles)
• Heidi G H Cole (0.6 miles)
• Krisi K Picken Bsn Msm MD (0.8 miles)
• Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic (0.9 miles)
• Northfield-Mayo Clinic (1.2 miles)
• Graf, Leah Mayo Clinic Radiation Oncology (1.2 miles)
• Northfield Urgent Care (1.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Richardson (0.6 miles)
• Northfield Hospital (0.6 miles)
• Familyhealth Medical Clinic Northfield (1.5 miles)
• Northfield Hospital (1.5 miles)
• Northfield City Hospital & NSG (1.5 miles)
• Melissa Appel, MD - Appel Melissa MD (12.4 miles)
• District One Donations (12.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• All Saints Episcopal Church (0.7 miles)
• Moravian Church (0.7 miles)
• Emmaus Baptist Church (0.8 miles)
• General Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists (0.8 miles)
• Skinner Memorial Chapel (0.8 miles)
• Faith In Action Interfaith Hlt (0.9 miles)
• Canvas Church (1 miles)

Theaters

• Cannon Valley Cinema (2.3 miles)

Transportation

• Stanton Airfield (SYN) (7.8 miles)
• Budget Truck Rental (11.2 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (12.2 miles)
• Airlake Airport LVN (12.3 miles)