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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.

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 over 25 years of service and are committed to learning, growth, and innovation for the well-being of our residents and staff. We own and manage 10 senior communities in 3 states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa) and serve over 750 seniors every day.

Beyond the community’s amenities, Vista Prairie at Red Cedar Canyon sets itself apart from the competition with our authenticity and Aspire Lifestyle™ program. We aim to over-deliver 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 their loved ones. We have 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.

At Vista Prairie at Red Cedar Canyon, we offer Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care.

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.

Both types of senior care options focus on quality of life, making sure their residents are happy, healthy, and safe. 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, and Dining Programs.


The differences in Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilities (Nursing Homes) are in the medical/care services provided, living environment, and costs.

See a Comparison Chart

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.

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 & 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 and Memory Care are determined by the comprehensive assessment completed by our Registered Nurse (RN) prior to move-in. At this comprehensive assessment, our RN 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 a 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 and care coordination along with a personal emergency response pendant and 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 and Memory Care includes housekeeping, personal laundry and fresh linens and towels each week, an emergency safety alert system with pendant, routine wellness checks, transportation, and all of our in-house activities. Memory Care has inclusive packages. Connect with our Sales and Community Marketing Manager for the details and pricing.

The first step to arrange a visit is to call us directly or fill out a form on our Contact Us page. During your visit, we’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 home-cooked meals prepared by our talented culinary team. We offer three delicious meals a day and our dining services team serves 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.
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 up 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 and Memory Care services receive a full in-person assessment facilitated by our Registered Nurse prior to moving in, which helps our care team develop their 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 month’s notice if you were to decide to move out.

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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