Thorne Crest Retirement Center
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 34 Google reviews
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Quality Concerns Identified
Medicare inspection and quality data reveal areas that families should carefully evaluate before choosing this facility.
- Low overall rating (1/5 stars)
- Above-median deficiencies (21 vs median 6.5)
- High staff turnover (75%)
- High RN turnover (60%)
Bottom 25% in MN · Below recommended RN staffing · Very high staff turnover · Worst in AMERICAN BAPTIST HOMES OF THE MIDWEST chain · $43,082 in fines
What this means for your family
Thorne Crest is highly regarded for its clean environment and dedicated, compassionate staff, making it a strong candidate for independent and assisted living. However, families should request a detailed breakdown of the 'buy-in' versus rental pricing structures and ask for clarity on administrative involvement to ensure their expectations for communication are met.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
34 reviews on Google“Thorne Crest Retirement Center is widely praised for its clean, well-maintained facilities and a staff that many families describe as compassionate, responsive, and kind. While the majority of reviews are highly positive, some families have raised concerns regarding administrative leadership, the transparency of rental versus buy-in programs, and the perceived value of add-on services.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Warm, attentive, and compassionate nursing staff
- Clean, well-maintained, and aesthetically pleasing facility
- Strong variety of amenities including a heated salt-water pool
- Effective and supportive move-in coordination
Concerns
- Dissatisfaction with administrative leadership and communication (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
- Confusing or non-transparent pricing/rental structures (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 36 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1I noticed you are very active in responding to online feedback; how do you incorporate that resident and family input into your daily administrative operations?
- 2Given the recent focus on health and safety standards, what specific steps is the leadership team taking to address the areas identified in the latest state inspections?
- 3Could you walk us through the billing and rental structure to ensure we have a clear understanding of what is included versus any potential additional costs?
- 4With the heated salt-water pool being such a unique amenity, how do you integrate it into the daily activities and physical wellness programs for residents?
- 5How does your nursing team coordinate with local medical providers to ensure residents receive timely care during an emergency?
- 6What is your process for keeping families informed about changes in a resident's care plan or facility-wide updates?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The continuous supportive and responsive staff is comforting (and so appreciated) - and the heartwarming manner in which they treat everyone is amazing.”
“Clean; quiet; wide variety of services; perhaps a little pricey for the many add-on services. Confusing program for rentals vs “buy-in.””
“The staff provided wonderful care to our mom. They addressed her changing needs quickly and were so caring and personable. She called them 'her friends'.”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026Both RN and total nursing hours are below national benchmarks. This can mean less clinical attention per resident, so ask about their staffing plan.
Quality Measures
Quality Measures
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
11
measures
5
measures
1
measures
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
Thorne Crest has serious ongoing concerns with multiple families filing complaints about abuse protection and accident hazards. The facility struggles most with medication management, infection control, and staffing adequacy. Recent surveys show many deficiencies remain uncorrected, including critical issues with nursing staff competency and resident safety oversight, suggesting persistent operational problems that warrant careful consideration before placement.
Jan 27, 2026Routine18
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Administration Deficiencies
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Administration Deficiencies
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Egress Deficiencies
Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Services Deficiencies
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Environmental Deficiencies
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
Jan 27, 2026Complaint2
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Dec 26, 2025Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Sep 18, 2025Complaint4
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Dec 11, 2024Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Nov 20, 2024Complaint1
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Oct 15, 2024
$43,082
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Thorne Crest Retirement Center
nonprofit
Chain Affiliation
American Baptist Homes of the Midwest
6 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 2.3/5 · Rank 6 of 6 (Worst)
Ownership & Management
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.
References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
34 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit thornecrest.net
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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Safer Alternatives Nearby
Based on current clinical data, we identified 6 nearby facilities within 10 miles that may offer a stronger care environment. We encourage families to compare options carefully.
Thorne Crest Retirement Center
< 1 miAssisted Living · Albert Lea, MN
Oak Park Place of Albert Lea
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The Meadows
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