Colonial Manor of Balaton sits at 551 US Hwy 14 E in Balaton, Minnesota, and serves a small community of about 2,000 people, and you'll find 28 beds in senior housing along with 33 total certified beds. The place is not attached to a hospital or part of a bigger retirement community, but does offer a range of care including assisted living, long-term nursing, independent living, home care, rehabilitation, memory care for Alzheimer's and dementia, and short-term respite stays, so there's different options depending on how much help someone might need. Owned by Ecumen Services Inc. and city government, the facility operates as a Medicare and Medicaid provider and has been in the system since 1991, and over the years has earned solid marks including an overall 5-star Medicare rating, a 4-star health inspection rating, a 5-star quality measure rating, and a staffing rating of 4 out of 5, and when it comes to the staff, certified nursing assistants, LPNs, and RNs all spend time with residents, and the actual nurse staffing hours per resident are a bit higher than what's expected, which means residents tend to get more hands-on care than many other places.
Inside, folks find both private and semi-private rooms, along with a public living area, communal dining room, guest parking, and landscaped grounds where residents can spend time outside. They keep things accessible with wheelchair-friendly features, emergency call systems in rooms, automatic fire sprinklers, smoke alarms, and regular housekeeping, and for help with daily needs like dressing and bathing, specially trained caregivers and nurses are always on-site, with dental care available as well. For those who like to stay busy, there's planned recreational activities, social programs, and health and wellness opportunities, and residents and families can get involved with councils that meet to discuss community life and bring concerns forward. The facility pays extra attention to dementia and Alzheimer's, supporting residents with memory troubles and providing supervision round-the-clock to keep people safe.
There's also some attention to comfort, with options for sleepwear, undergarments, slippers, shoes, sandals, socks, cardigans, elastic waist pants, and open-back clothing for easier dressing. The facility has a mix of ownership types listed, but right now it's owned by Ecumen Services Inc. and operates with non-profit and government involvement. Colonial Manor isn't part of a big network of senior homes, but focuses on providing a homelike place with personalized care plans for each resident, keeping safety and regular routines front and center. Residents will find secure entries, accessible bathrooms, and different sizes of rooms, and the grounds are maintained so folks can enjoy being outdoors when the weather's nice. There are always staff members around for support, and there's no record of recent fines or health complaint deficiencies, which lines up with their good ratings on inspections and staffing. Colonial Manor of Balaton offers a straightforward option in Balaton, Minnesota, for older people who want safety, steady help, and a simple place to call home.