English Rose Expands to Minnetonka; Adds Assisted Living
As featured in Star Tribune, English Rose has expanded its award-winning residential care into Minnetonka with the launch of its first assisted living home. The eye-catching residence known as Oak Ridge is situated on a quiet, tree-lined street conveniently located off Highway 169 between Highway 7 and Minnetonka Blvd. It continues English Rose’s signature care model: single-family homes with six residents , 1:3 staff-to-resident ratios, and highly personalized support from well-trained caregivers and experienced nurses. “Expansion into Minnetonka is important,” says Joshua Wert, English Rose CEO. “When someone you love requires 24/7 care, the last thing you want to do is isolate them from friends and family. Opening a home in Minnetonka makes it easier for our families from western suburbs to stop by after work or make impromptu visits while running errands.”
Assisted Living – English Rose Style
Assisted living at English Rose is residential care for people who enjoy their independence but benefit from 24-hour caregiver support. “It starts with the basics, like delicious home-made meals, daily housekeeping services, and medication management,” explains Zach Parlier, Oak Ridge Home Manager. “Then we do everything we can to keep every resident’s world as large as possible.” This includes daily exercise and movement routines, enriching group outings and support of each individuals interests and hobbies.
This requires a high degree of coordination amongst English Rose’s caregivers, nurses, and engagement specialists. “Operationally, it is a complex care model. But it’s worth it,” states Wert. Residents living in assisted living communities like Oak Ridge that combine 24/7 care, on-site nursing, and whole-person engagement programming often experience improved wellbeing and a decreased reliance on medication. “Adding assisted living to our portfolio just made sense,” explains Marilyn Hartman,” English Rose Admissions Director. “We already offer Home Health Care services for clients who want the English Rose experience in the comfort of their own home and residential memory care homes for people living with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairments. Oak Ridge is something in between.”
A Home Designed for Aging
English Rose homes are as distinct as the care provided within. All are bespoke, single-family residences with elegant décor and floorplans designed for convenient living, socializing and safety.
When it came to securing the right property in Minnetonka, Wert looked no further than his childhood home. With its distinct roof line punctuating the tree canopy and clerestory windows flooding the home’s interior with natural light, it’s that house in the neighborhood that you pass by day after day trying to catch a glimpse of what’s going on inside.
Built by Joshua’s mom, Lois Berman, in 1970 and designed by Edina-based modernist architect Arthur Dickey, the house was purposefully arranged to support Ms. Berman through every stage of life. “I wanted a home that would be practical to grow older in,” explains Ms. Berman. “But I also wanted a home with details that would feed my soul.” The result was a design before its time, as many of the features are now best practices when creating optimal living space for aging adults.
With warm-tones and timeless materials, Oak Ridge feels like sacred space. “We believe people’s lives are enriched when they are surrounded by inspiration,” says Julian Menne, the designer from Christian Dean Architecture responsible for renovating Oak Ridge for English Rose. “During the design process, we were careful to maintain and accentuate the original walnut walls, abundant daylight, and access to the outdoors, all of which will contribute to the health and wellbeing of residents by providing a variety of sensory experiences and direct connections to nature.” Menne, in collaboration with Dovetail Renovations, converted the 5,500 square foot home to include six main-level suites, all in a private wing separated from the common space by a two-story atrium.
“I wanted the home to work for me as I transitioned through different stages of life,” says Berman. “A place to raise children. To celebrate holidays. To play with my grandchildren. As well as a refuge where I could comfortably grow old. The home sustained and nourished me for more than five decades.” Oak Ridge welcomes its first residents in November, but will be open to the public during a number of open house events scheduled in late October