Birchwood Cottages

Think twice if applying here. I was hired on as a kitchen manager in 2024. Upper management started off being very helpful and kind. Shortly after being hired, I noticed things that some things were not ok in a kitchen setting. 16 and 17 year olds were cooking. Food was not labeled with rotate dates which was difficult to get turned around. Kitchen staff was not made to wear hairnets which poses obvious concerns. The leadership continuously failed to give consistent direction, an example of this would be my executive director asked to have a 2 week menu made, which i executed without issue but then I received a write up for not providing a month long menu. Overall the biggest red flag I wish I would have known sooner is prior to my hiring there were 8 different managers since 2018, one at each time. One manager lasting less than a year. My own replacement has since left.

We made the difficult decision to move my mom to memory care when my dad began to feel overwhelmed caring for her on a daily basis. Even with 2 days of in-home care, Alzheimer's patients reach a point where health and safety needs are better met in a facility. After touring many homes, we settled on Birchwood Cottages in North Mankato. The staff at Birchwood were so welcoming, caring, and attentive to my mom from the beginning to the end. Her quality of life improved as well because of the socialization she received, the wide variety of daily activities she participated in, and the consistent nutrition she was provided. My mom was happy! It showed on the daily visits from my dad, and weekly visits from my brother and I. She always smiled, and we often found her visiting with staff or other residents when we arrived. Near the end of her life on earth, all of Birchwood staff made the transition as comfortable for my family as possible. They provided us with a basket of snacks that were replenished daily, water, and coffee. They were attentive to our needs, and especially attentive to my mom. We are so glad we chose Birchwood! We couldn't have asked for a better place.

My parents (dad - age 95 and mom - age 93) moved into Birchwood Cottages in North Mankato just a little over two years ago and we couldn't be happier with the attention and care that they both have received. My mom, who was declining with her Alzheimer's disease seems to have "awoken" since they've moved to Birchwood. I was recently visiting them and one day they came to get her three times for activities. She had been napping all three times but eagerly got up to join in these activities! I hadn't seen them for about 6 months and mom seemed more verbal and continues to tell us that she likes living there! My dad who has macular degeneration and other health issues has continued to need more assistance as he has aged and the whole staff has been very responsive and kind! My brother and sister in law live close to Birchwood Cottages, visited the facility and advocated for moving dad and mom. It was the very best decision and I'd recommend Birchwood Cottages to anyone who is considering a move for their loved ones!

Birchwood Cottages is a great Senior and Memory Care Facility!..😁👍 The Staff there are always very caring and hard working as Individuals, and they take great care of the residents they serve! ..🙏👍 .. They also provide many fun activities and entertainment for them, and make sure they have lots of good interaction with others, to provide for the social needs of the residents as well! .😁..Great Job you guys! ..🙏👍 They are also very hospitable, and all the meals that I have been able to share there weekly with my Mom, at no cost to me I might add, have all been wonderful and very flavorful as well! ..😋👍 I have given them a 5 star rating, based on my experience now for the time my Mother, with dementia, has-been there, going on 1 year already! ..🙏👍 She is very happy there it seems, and that is also very important to us as well! ..🙏😁👍 A shout out to all the Staff at Birchwood Cottages for their hard and dedicated team work, to see that their residents, and the families that they serve, are well cared for and made to feel right at home! ..🙏😁👍 Thank you so much to all of you, and keep up the great work! .. 🙏😁👍 Sincerely and with much caring, ..🙏👍 One of my happy Mom's Son's, Gordon ..😁🖐️

My sister Barbara lived at Birchwood from September 2022 until her passing in July of 2023. The care she received from ALL the staff there was warm, caring & professional. I had a good rapport with the nursing director, Rebekah Kreger. We communicated often. I appreciate her dedication to making sure Barbara was as comfortable as possible. She was willing to do her own research and discuss challenging medical situations that came up with my sister, with me and with Barbara’s physician. Without exception, the CNAs, med passers, maintenance manager, director and activity staff were tender, kind, respectful (never condescending), and cheerful. Hospice was involved the last two months of Barbara’s life. The care provided by Birchwood and hospice staff was seamless, cooperative, and high quality. I recommend Birchwood Cottages in North Mankato without reservation.