Walker Methodist Place, a high-rise senior living community in the East Harriet neighborhood of Minneapolis, underwent a major redesign of one wing of the second floor. Two large apartments were demolished to make room for a care suite neighborhood.
This unique model of enhanced assisted living was pioneered and perfected by Walker Methodist more than 30 years ago.
Care suites are designed to provide quick and ready care 24-hours a day to residents with high health care needs.
“It’s really like a small community within a larger community,” said Paula Castle, executive director of Walker Place. “When we started discussing this option for Walker Place, we were all quickly excited at what this would mean for our current residents, especially. Because this option now exists, residents who develop health problems needing high levels of care can remain at Walker Place instead of having to move away. I’m so happy that we can keep our residents in their home community, even as their health care needs change.”
The care suite community is made up of five apartments, each with full bathroom and kitchenette, that open to a shared communal space. This design allows for around-the-clock care and creates natural avenues for socializing and enjoying life.
In order to accommodate this model of care, the Health Services department needed to be relocated from the eighth floor to the second floor, so that it would be quickly accessible to the staff working in the care suite.
“By adding the care suites, residents who need higher care can stay connected with their friends and community, instead of having to move to a different community, which is good for their health and wellbeing,” said Ernest Bishop, director of health services at Walker Place. “The addition of a care suite has allowed us to add more nurses to our staff and makes space for us to help more people.”
Care suites can offer support like medication management, physical therapies, life enrichment activities, spiritual care, housekeeping, and laundry.
Walker Place is located at 3701 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis, Minn., near lakes, parks, rose gardens, and more. If your loved one could benefit from enhanced assisted living services, take a look at the care suites at Walker Place. Our sales director and health services team will be happy to show you around and discuss options. Visit us at www.walkermethodist.org/place or by calling 612-827-8508.