This award is aimed at companies that have been in business for less than five years and have demonstrated innovation, creativity, and is on the path to outstanding success. To receive the award, the business must be an Elk River Area Chamber member in good standing.

Nominator Statement: 

Deb is community-oriented and holds many opportunities for business people. I have also seen her invite all parties — independent living, assisted living, and memory care — to play together and have fun. She is an excellent marketing director and very helpful. — Joy Nadeau
 

About Elk River Senior Living:

Elk River Senior Living provides independent living apartments, assisted living, and memory care in its 55+ community. The Elk River Senior Living team delivers personalized, quality care in a fun and engaging environment. The team plans a calendar full of activities for all residents to participate in.

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How long has Elk River Senior Living been in business?

The company started in 2007, but Elk River Senior Living opened in 2018 and currently has around 60 employees at the Elk River location.

How long has Elk River Senior Living been in the Elk River area? 

A little less than two years. Each location has a special meaning for the owners and the facility is built to fulfill a family member’s needs as they age. 

What was the inspiration behind Elk River Senior Living?

The vision for Elk River Senior Living started with a loved one’s growing needs. The original location was built as a retirement home for one of the owner’s grandparents.

Who does Elk River Senior Living serve? 

Everyone — every family member, community member, business owner, vendor, aunt, cousin, brother, child, etc. Elk River Senior Living has built a philosophy around the belief that anyone that walks in the front door is a future customer and the idea that, they come here because they are in need, they stay because they receive such great care.

Elk River Senior Living’s Investment in Elk River and the Surrounding Area:

Elk River Senior Living has built partnerships all over the community. A staff member is on the CAER Board of Directors and has implemented a resident vs. staff donation program to promote community. The organization is also a member of the Chamber, they are involved in Rotary, and are sponsors of the Taste of Elk River. Elk River Senior Living also has strong outreach programs and participates in things like the Farmer’s Market in the summer, they host several events in their building free of charge, they provide continuing education credits courses for nurses and social workers, and they have great relationships with like businesses. They are sponsors of the Sherburne County United Way fashion show and advocate for vulnerable youth.  Elk River Senior Living also hosted the Community Police Coalition, as well as sponsor and support Thumbs Up.

They will be the first to connect people to Guardian Angels or other senior services programs if they can’t provide what is needed. Each unit in the facility is named after a historical figure from Elk River. When people ask about it, the staff can share part of the history of our community. Elk River Senior Living tries to buy everything locally because they believe in supporting businesses in our community. They make it a point to keep a pulse on the community and use word of mouth referrals when hiring new employees.

A Little-Known Fact About Elk River Senior Living:

The staff of Elk River Senior Living has over 119 years of combined total service experience! The owners built the facility and really treat the management and employees like family. They are not boastful, and you wouldn’t know it was the ownership group if they walked into the building. You will often find the ownership group sitting and visiting with the residents, helping the employees, fixing anything that needs to be fixed, mowing the lawn, removing snow, or whatever else needs to be done.   

Looking to the Future:

Elk River Senior Living will be celebrating two years in July! The organization is looking forward to continuing to build its community imprint and relationships by providing open, free of charge space to host their events. 

Elk River Senior Living’s Involvement with the Chamber:

Representatives from Elk River Senior Living attend weekly Chamber connections, and they continue to offer their facility to the Chamber to host events, education, etc. They utilize the website, value the newsletters, and love the connection that the Chamber provides them with businesses. 

Elk River Senior Living’s Involvement in the Community:

Elk River Senior Living’s goal is to continue to break down generational barriers. They hire high school students in their dietary aid positions and they provide job shadowing and volunteer opportunities to youth. They want to continue to be a space that is useful for all.

The staff make it a point to shop locally, especially their memory care unit staff. When you walk into the memory care unit, you wouldn’t know that is where you are. They created spaces for residents to be able to feel validated in where they are in their dementia journey. The staff has shopped locally at the antique stores, thrift shops, garage sales, etc to find pieces of furniture, toys, and accessories to make the residents feel safe, connected to their time in that phase of life, and to help enlighten their journey

On behalf of all of us at ERACC, we’d like to say congratulations to Kylie Erickson, Deb Bland, and their staff on Elk River Senior Living's nomination for New Business of the Year!