The Good Shepherd Community in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, has a long history of caring for seniors with a steady focus on a Christian perspective but serves people from all faiths and backgrounds, and folks say it's a non-profit that cares a lot about each person who lives there, and when you walk around, you'll see several types of housing like patio homes, apartments, assisted living, memory care cottages, and even a nursing home on campus, all mixing together to make it more like a community instead of feeling boxed in. There are also memory care and assisted living services not just at the Sauk Rapids campus but over at Becker, and they help people with different levels of needs including diabetic care, non-ambulatory care, and incontinence care, and there's a full team of trained medical staff working round the clock for safety. The place has nice room amenities and big indoor common areas where people can gather, and there's a plan for nutritious meals cooked by chefs and meal planners, so it's not just standard fare every day.
The campus keeps pretty busy with a full schedule of activities, like devotional services, church-related events, singing in the choir, and BINGO, but also things like music, pet visits, and even store clerking and medical escorting for those who want to volunteer, and if you want a friendly chat or need someone to sit with you, there are volunteer opportunities managed by a Volunteer Coordinator named Janette, with applications found right on their website. Folks who live there or their families can learn about long-term care, insurance, support, and transitional help since the place tries to make those steps a bit easier with resources and guidance. The community takes COVID-19 guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and CDC pretty seriously, with masks and policies changing as needed, but proof of vaccination hasn't been required lately.
If you need short-term help after a hospital stay or just need a break, the community does offer respite stays, therapy services, ACE Rehab, and home health care. Those looking for privacy or a quieter lifestyle might like the patio homes or apartments, while those needing more hands-on help can choose from assisted living, memory care, or nursing care depending on what's needed, and services can be adjusted to fit each person's situation. There's support for families and a culture that talks a lot about compassion, trust, respect, and graceful living, and the leadership team is recognized by locals for staying active and involved. You'll find social activities, support programs, and ways for residents to get involved, whether it's through spiritual care, games, or simply chatting with others in the common areas, and the place has a steady 3.3 rating from about 20 reviews online, so most would say it does what it's supposed to do for seniors. The facility stays open 24 hours every day, with information, volunteer forms, and more details available on their website at goodshepherdcampus.org, and the care team tries to make sure everyone gets the help and company they need inside a safe, respectful place.
