Benedictine Mission Court adapts services to meet community need

Since 2013, Benedictine Mission Court, Ada, Minn., has been offering independent and assisted living services. In 2021, Minnesota implemented new state standards surrounding senior living communities that provide assisted living services. These changes raised the cost of providing assisted living services, especially in rural areas where recruiting qualified staff is challenging.

Additionally, in the last few years, Benedictine Mission Court has served a higher number of tenants who lived independently in their apartments than those who needed assisted living services, which impacted the number of staff that are required to provide assisted living services as well as the cost of providing those services.

One of the Benedictine Core Values is Stewardship which focuses on careful use of resources. In keeping with the core value of Stewardship, Benedictine is choosing to make a change in services for Benedictine Mission Court. Effective Oct. 22, 2023, Benedictine Mission Court will move from providing both independent living and assisted living to serving the community with independent living housing in its 18 apartments. Benedictine Mission Court will continue to offer meals, housekeeping and transportation to its tenants as well as activities and spiritual care services.

This information was shared with all Benedictine Living Community-Ada associates, tenants and their families on Aug. 22. Benedictine Ada staff have met with every Mission Court tenant to make a personal plan.

Current tenants who do not contract for regular personalized care services will not experience any changes. If or when they need additional care services, staff will meet with them to provide a referral to service providers with services that will meet their needs.

Those who currently contract for regular personalized assisted living services will have a choice. Benedictine Ada staff will assist tenants in contracting with another service provider. If the tenant chooses to relocate, staff will assist in identifying and moving them to a safe location that is appropriate for them.

There a few associates who are impacted by this change and our human resources team will be working with them as there are open positions on the campus that will be available to them. Benedictine Ada is committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for all and to continue serving area seniors with independent housing and skilled nursing care at Benedictine Living Community-Ada.