Vista Prairie Communities is a trusted nonprofit senior care organization dedicated to serving the older adult population as well as their loved ones. We have 25 years of service and are committed to learning, growth, and innovation for the wellbeing of our residents and staff. We own and manage 7 senior communities in 3 states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa) and serve 750 seniors every day.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions and we're here for you. From our site leadership team, care staff and support office at Vista Prairie Communities, we have hundreds of years combined helping seniors and their families navigate senior care. If you don't see your question below, please be sure to reach out to us. We are happy to support you with your need.
FAQs
Beyond the community’s amenities, Vista Prairie at Windmill Ponds sets itself apart from the competition with our authenticity and Aspire lifestyle program . We aim to overdeliver and not overpromise. We don’t focus on our marketing materials or being “fancy”. We focus on the quality of the care delivered, we want to truly know our residents, their families and loved ones. We have a strong integrated leadership across our nonprofit organization that feels more like a large support team. Our staff have the tools, technology, and innovative products they need to do a good job, to make sure care plans are well executed, and to give them more time spent with residents. At Vista Prairie Communities, you’re family.
Vista Prairie at Windmill Ponds offers dedicated Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Care Suites services in our community. There is a range of support options depending on what your wants and needs are. Some residents have little to no physical care needs and just like having the peace of mind knowing that care is available at the touch of a button, while others may need a lot more personal care services.
Deciding to move to a senior living community is a big, yet exciting, step in life. You can live a maintenance-free lifestyle with access to social opportunities and care when you need it. As you prepare for this next chapter, you may wonder how you will pay for it. The good news is that many senior care financial options exist to fit the needs of your situation.
At Vista Prairie at Windmill Ponds, we’re here to help guide you. Our trusted financial partners at ElderLife Financial work with you and your family to determine which resources are available to you and the best options for moving forward. On our Financial Resources page you can learn about some of the financial solutions families leverage to pay for senior living.
Both types of senior care options focus on quality of life, making sure their residents are happy, healthy and safe. safe, healthy and happy. Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilities (Nursing Homes) both provide support with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). This includes bathing, medication management, dressing and personal care. Other similarities include: Life Enrichment or Wellness Programs and Activities, Support Services (housing, laundry, and transportation), Safety Assurances, Dining Programs.
The differences in Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilities (Nursing Homes) are in the medical/care services provided, living environment, and costs
In a sentence, in an Independent Living community, you don’t receive any home health care services or access to emergency response pendants. There is also not 24/7 care staff available in case of an emergency. Of course, with any apartments that you would choose in our community, there are care and support service choices designed to fit what you need and want. Our Assisted Living offers a full menu of personalized services to support you with your daily life activities. We customize your care plan based off your needs and wants after our Licensed Nurse meets with you and/or your family as well as communication from your Physician. Our emergency call system ensures access to staff 24 hours a day. Meals, laundry services, housekeeping and other amenities are included in the rent at no additional cost, to all that live in our community, regardless of the level of their care.
Our costs vary depending on the style and size of apartment, support services, or care that the resident is receiving. We are completely transparent with our costs, and everything is provided in the initial tour and meeting at our community.
If we’ve learned anything during this pandemic, is that nothing is certain besides the fact that we’ll always put our residents first. We’ve been challenged significantly in this industry in more than one way, but we’ll keep adapting and thinking creatively to provide our residents with the best life that they are capable of living. At times and certainly in the beginning of the pandemic, we had to limit interactions within the community as we keep an eye on local COVID-19 cases or increase masking as well as keeping in communication with families on visitor guidelines. We follow the direction of the state health department as well as the CDC for guidelines within our community and continue to encourage and offer vaccination within our communities. Our residents have shared with us on more than one occasion that they are happy to be in a home with staff nearby as well as nearby neighbors within a warm, safe community rather than living in their own home alone, especially during the winter months where it can be quite isolating.
With senior care options and communities all around you, it can be overwhelming to begin the research process. We're here to help simplify these decisions with some easy steps. Stop over to our Where to Start page which helps guide you through the process with ease. Certainly, if you have a community in mind that you know you want to move to, call or email them and ask to talk to their Sales and Community Marketing Manager. These individuals are highly trained, caring, knowledgeable experts in senior living that just want to help you navigate this challenging time in your life and provide you with tools and resources. They know all the steps you will need to take as well.
Yes, we have a medication management program, which may be added to an individualized service plan and varies based on regulations. Residents participating in our medication program may choose their own pharmacy or use our preferred pharmacy provider in that region. If a resident prefers to use an alternate pharmacy, the resident and pharmacy must comply with certain requirements.
All care levels in assisted living, memory care and care suites are determined by the comprehensive assessment completed by our RN prior to move-in. At this comprehensive assessment, our Nurse will assess your current health and review your medical history to see how we can best meet your needs. They will also discuss your preferences as well as your normal routines to develop a care plan that’s tailor made for you. This individualized service plan details your care plan and is regularly updated to meet your evolving needs.
Well, first, you’re still making the right decision in moving. You don’t want to wait for a crisis to move to senior living and, isolation can make your health deteriorate in many different aspects of life. In terms of care services and plans, all our assisted living residents require the Basic Home Care Package at minimum if a higher care level is not needed. This includes quarterly assessments completed by our RN to promote wellness and identify changes in condition, care coordination and personal emergency response pendant with access to on-site care staff 24/7. Your rent portion covers support such as housekeeping, laundry, programming and other community amenities.
We provide continued education and training, clinical care protocols and multiple quality assurance measures to reinforce our strong standards. Vista Prairie Communities extensive training programs have been developed throughout the years and include on-site, online and hands-on training, and employee shadowing and mentoring.
Our base rate in assisted living, includes housekeeping, trash, basic cable, an emergency safety alert system with a pendent, routine wellness checks, utilities, maintenance, and all of our in-house activities. Laundry services are available for an extra cost. Connect with our Sales and Community Marketing Manager for details and pricing.
The first step is to arrange a visit to any of our visits is to call them directly or fill out a web form fill on their Contact Us page. During your visit, they’ll discuss your unique personal circumstances with you, show you around our community and find out how we can best support you.
Our programming and activities are designed thoughtfully by each Activities Manager with their residents' wants and needs in mind. There may be different outings and specialty programs depending on the geographical region in which our community resides. Our residents engage with one another and our directors at the monthly Resident Council where they can share their ideas on what they’d like on the calendar.
Some of our activities include games, discussion groups, outings, happy hour, and more! With our Aspire Lifestyle model as a focus at Vista Prairie Communities, we help our residents belong and find purpose in their everyday lives. Some offerings include physical wellness activities such as chair yoga, walking clubs, and daily exercise. For residents that like to get in touch with their inner spirit, we provide musical programs, classes, and a variety of religious offerings. Vista Prairie Communities Aspire lifestyle™ embodies our commitment to honor residents and enhances their quality of life in five critical areas, throughout their stay with us.
While age varies by each community, in general, our residents are in their mid-80's.
Our residents enjoy classic and homecooked meals prepared by our talented culinary team. We offer three delicious meals a day and our dining services team serve our residents restaurant-style. Emphasizing choice is important. In addition to the unique entrees featured at each meal, we also offer an “always available” menu for our residents. Our residents’ dining experience is very important to us. We also host a monthly Culinary Club with our Culinary Manager so the residents can share menu ideas, suggestions and try new recipes prepared by the Culinary Manager.
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own pet with you! If you are comfortable caring for your pet and they are an appropriate pet for the community setting, we would love for them to join our community. Guidelines and a pet deposit apply.
We work with each family to support their needs as best we can, however, we will take the time we need in order to ensure a successful move in for that individual as well as setting our caregiving team for success. We also prioritize the needs of the residents in our community. The state-wide caregiver and healthcare shortage has presented obstacles in our teams being able to accommodate urgent move-ins like we did in years past. Seniors needing Assisted living, Memory Care and Care Suites services receive a full in-person assessment facilitated by our Registered Nurse prior to moving in, which helps our care team develop his or her individualized care plan.
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own furniture with you as this is your home! We encourage you to design your apartment to be as comfortable and familiar as possible.
No. Our communities do not require long-term lease commitments. Our leases are month-to-month. We just require a calendar’s month notice if you were to decide to move out.
Yes, we do offer short term stays at each of our communities. A short-term stay (Respite) is a convenient option when planned or unforeseen circumstances occur such as an extended family vacation or recovery from an illness. Guests can receive assistance during an illness or rehabilitation after a hospital visit, and some of our communities offer skilled nursing for those needing more care.
Yes! At our community, couples can live together in their own apartment surrounded by their familiar belongings. Second occupancy fees may apply.
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