The Office of Ombudsman for Older Minnesotans has come up with a list of consumer tips that they feel each Housing with Services/Assisted Living should provide. We wanted you to be informed of that list and to know how Minnesota Masonic Home North Ridge responds.

1. Is the building a registered Housing with Services? Yes
2. Is a licensed home care agency offering services in the building? Yes – Minnesota Masonic Homes North Ridge is the owner with a Class A Home Care Agency License.
3. Is the home care agency also Medicare-certified? No
4. Is there a rent subsidy? No
5. What Services are included in the rent? Monthly wellness clinic & blood pressure checks, basic phone and satellite TV, activities and outings, monthly resident’s meetings, at-your-door garbage service.
6. Is a deposit required? Yes, one month's rent is required for the apartments with services, and a $2000 security deposit is required for assisted living.
7. How often has the rent increased in the past? Our increases are done annually and historically have been around 1%.
8. Can you rent without purchasing health-related services? Yes
9. What assisted living services are available in the apartments? We offer 3 meals daily, a full activities calendar, emergency pull cords in each apartment, transportation for activities, and our own on-site home health agency which can accommodate individuals personal care needs.
10. What are the fees? Contact Us
11. When additional health related or supportive services are needed, is there someone on staff to consult with in making these arrangements? Yes, our licensed nurses are here M-F from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
12. What public programs are available to help pay for supportive or health related services? We have a contract with Coordinated Home Services through Hennepin County.
13. Are bills itemized? Yes
14. When financial resources are no longer sufficient to pay for rent or additional services, what options are available? We assist families in making alternative arrangements either within our campus or to another facility.
15. What conditions require a move out of the building or a termination of home care services? Contact Us
16. How much notice is required? A 30-day notice from the 1st of the month, if staying within North Ridge Care, a $500 transfer fee is all that is required. 
17. Does the housing contract address all 17 points required by the Housing with Services law? Yes, Contact Us to receive a copy.
18. Who do you call if dissatisfied with the building or home care services? Apartment Director, Administrator, MN Dept of Health Office of Health Facility Complaints or Office of Ombudsman for Older Minnesotans.
19. Can persons with dementia or memory loss live in the building? Although we are not a secured memory care environment, we do have individuals living here with mild memory loss.
20. Is there a system for contacting on-site staff when need help? Yes, we have a pull cord in each apartment and Lifeline is available.
21. Under what circumstances may this system be used? Any time there is an emergency.
22. Is there a charge for its use? If a Licensed Nurse is asked to respond the charge is $75.
23. Are these staff credentialed? They are Licensed Nurses
24. Is there any supervisory oversight by a professional or nonprofessional on-site? We do have a professional supervisors on staff M-F daytime hours and a nonprofessional on staff 24 hours a day at our switchboard.
25. What is the meal plan and cost? 20 Evening Meals are included in the monthly rent. An additional meal plan for a second person is $160.
26. Are special diets offered? Yes, we offer some modified diets.  Please ask at the time of your inquiry/assessment.
27. Are upcoming menus posted or distributed? Yes
28. Are residents invited to offer suggestions about meals? Yes, we do have a food service committee for our residents.
29. Are reservations required for guest meals? Yes - in the Assisted Living, but not in the Senior Apartments dining room. 
30. What is the building security system? We do have a Switchboard operator on duty 24 hours per day and individual apartments have their own dead bolt lock.
31. How is the security of my room/apartment ensured? Dead Bolt Locks
32. Under what circumstances would a housing or home care employee be allowed to enter without my permission? In the event of an emergency or by permission slip from individual resident.
33. Are resident references available? Yes
34. Does a building caretaker live on-site? No
35. Does the building have its own vehicle for transportation? Yes, we contract transportation from our on-site Carebreak Adult Day Program.
36. What cultural and recreational activities are offered? We offer a full calendar of activities and outings, Contact Us for a brochure including activity calendar.
37. What are the policies regarding pets and smoking? We welcome cats with our tenants and all visiting pets are welcome as well.  We are a completely non-smoking campus.
38. Is a guest room available for your visitors and at what cost? Yes, $45/night.
39. What special features are offered in this building? We have a on-site beauty/barber shop, Food and Sundry Gift Shop, Dry cleaning pick up and delivery, Outpatient Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy.