Choosing the right assisted living community in Plymouth, MN, begins with asking thoughtful questions that help you find the best long-term fit for yourself or a loved one.

1. What Does Assisted Living Cost?

First, it’s important to understand what contributes to the cost of assisted living. Many factors can affect pricing, so be sure to ask for a breakdown between rent and services. Does the community offer all-inclusive packages or à la carte services tailored to individual needs?

At Cornerstone Assisted Living in Plymouth, MN, the team calculates pricing of à la carte services based on your personal experience during the visit.

“Usually, when visitors leave the tour, they’ll have a ballpark price of how much it will cost to live here,” says Toni, Cornerstone’s director of health services.

2. How Does Cornerstone Staff Its Team?

Next, ask about nursing staff availability. At Cornerstone Assisted Living, team members are available around the clock. Nurses are available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

But what about evenings and weekends? Unlike some communities that rely on third-party services, Cassia supports all its assisted living communities through a dedicated After-Hours Call Program. Nurses can access resident files, update records and notify families if needed— providing peace of mind around the clock.

3. Does the Staff Have Experience and Longevity?

Staff experience and longevity go hand in hand with quality care. You want team members who receive proper training—and who choose to stay.

At Cornerstone, the team includes people like Genita, a nursing assistant with 36 years of experience; Luba, who has served the community for 18 of its 20 years; and Toni, who has worked with Cassia for 21 years.

 “We all know what the expectations are because we’ve been doing this a long time,” Toni says. “People come here because it’s homy and staff know what they’re doing.”

4. How Do Nurse Assessments Work?

Before someone moves into assisted living at Cornerstone, nursing staff visit the person’s home or transitional care unit to complete a pre-assessment. This helps determine whether assisted living is the right fit and identifies what services are needed.

After 14 days, staff complete a full assessment. They also reassess every 90 days or anytime a resident’s condition changes. These regular assessments help the care team stay aligned with each resident’s evolving needs.

5. Does the Assisted Living Have Good Food?

Food matters. A lot. Great meals can enhance the senior living experience, while bland or poor-quality food can be discouraging.

That’s why Cornerstone invites visiting families and prospective residents to try the food firsthand. Can’t come in? The team can even deliver lunch if needed—because the taste and experience speak for themselves.

6. Does the Assisted Living Community Offer Activities and Spiritual Care?

Social, engaging activities are essential to senior living. When you tour, ask to meet the activities team, if possible. They’ll give you insight into daily life and how residents stay engaged.

Also, if faith and spiritual support are important to you, ask whether a chaplain is available on site. As a faith-based nonprofit, Cassia provides spiritual care services in its communities, including Bible studies, worship services and counseling.

7. Why Choose Cornerstone or Another Cassia Assisted Living Community?

Cornerstone Assisted Living sits in a peaceful residential neighborhood surrounded by marshlands and wildlife. Yet it’s also close to shopping, restaurants and medical services in Plymouth and the greater Twin Cities Metro Area.

If you’re looking elsewhere, Cassia offers more than 40 senior living communities across Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Colorado and Florida. The organization’s mission is to foster fullness of life for older adults through compassionate care and Christ-centered values. From independent living to skilled nursing, memory care and adult day programs, Cassia supports older adults through every stage.