10 Best Nursing Homes in Walker, MN

Nursing Homes

A nursing home is an establishment that houses at least two seniors who have no personal relation to the administrator. This type of facility provides its inhabitants with 24-hour care administered by on-site nurses. These nurses offer health related services for people who are unable to care for their own needs due to the effects of aging.

Nursing homes can be a convenient and comfy living alternative for individuals 65 years and above, however nursing homes will routinely admit individuals 55 and above (a rarity in the realm of senior care).A significant portion of nursing home occupants are seniors who experience difficulty with vision and hearing, require assistance with daily tasks such as getting dressed, have a physical or mental disability, or have incontinence issues. Nursing homes are required to provide a professionallly directed program of activities, medically-related social services, room and bed maintenance services, and dietary services to residents. The most common mental condition experienced by residents of nursing homes is dementia, which can cloud their decision making abilities, memory recall, and and familiarity with their surroundings. Types of amenities and servicesoffered at nursing homes might include rehabilitation needed due to injury, disability, or illness, personal care (including dressing, bathing, and toilet assistance), monitoring serious illness and unstable health status, and help with shopping and transportation. Some services come at an extra cost which can include personal comfort items, special care services not included in the facility’s Medicaid payment, and a private room, unless medically needed.

Cost of Living

The community in which a care facility is located could have a huge impact on the overall cost. The total cost of living is a major influence in choosing which care choice is the best fit for your loved one’s needs. The median monthly rent in Walker is $898 and the median value for a home for Walker costs around $154,075. The rent burden for Walker is around 18.1% of the average monthly income.

Demographics and Values

Of the population of Walker 6.0% have a graduate degree, 26.9% have a college degree, and 34.4% have a high-school diploma. In Walker, 9.1% of the population are veterans. Currently, the population of Walker consists of 932 people. Walker has a population density of 140 people per square mile. Out of the total population of Walker, 9.3% are widows, 15.5% have some form of disability, 7.3% do not have health insurance, and 54.8% participate in the labor force. Based on gender, 47.2% are female and 52.8% are male. The median age of Walker is 48 years old. Demographically, Walker is 77.1% white, 1.4% black, 0.2% Hispanic, 0.0% other or not specified, 3.3% mixed race, 17.7% Native American, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, and 0.5% Asian.

State Information

An overview of Minnesota

Overall, Minnesota ranks 3rd in quality of life and 10th in healthcare compared to other US states. Out of a national average of 100, Minnesota has a cost of living index rating of 102, a grocery index rating of 107, and a housing index rating of 88. There are 140 hospitals and 61 health centers that service a population of 5,654,535. Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Wing, and Alomere Health are among the top three highest ranked hospitals in the state. The natural beauty of Minnesota is ranked 3rd in the nation.

Social demographics of the state

The state has a median age of 38 and 29% of its population being over the age of 55. In Minnesota, 34% of the population attend some form of religious service and there are 5,953 different congregations. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-<1%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%, with the most common Christian denominations consisting of Evangelical Protestant-19%, Mainline Protestant-29%, and Historically Black Protestant-2%. In Minnesota there are 170 masonic lodges. The state of Minnesota ranks 27th in the country for diversity, and the state is considered LGBTQ friendly. During the latest presidential election, 45% voted for the Republican candidate while 46% voted for the Democratic candidate.

State-wide weather information

The average amount of precipitation peaks during the month of June at around 5.59 inches. The average monthly precipitation for the state of Minnesota is around 2.37 inches. On average, Minnesota has an air quality index rating of around 34.5 AQI. The highest seasonal air quality index rating occurs in the month of May with a rating of 42.7 AQI. Minnesota experiences an average humidity rating of about 70%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of December at around 80%. The average temperature in the summer rises to around 67F. The average high summer temperature is around 86F in the month of July. The average low summer temperature is around 42F in the month of June. During the winter, the average temperature in Minnesota drops to around 13F. The average high winter temperature is around 33F in the month of February. In the winter months, the average low temperature falls to around -11F during the month of January. While residents of Minnesota mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Minnesota can include floods and earthquakes (high).

Wildlife to be found in Minnesota

The state of Minnesota has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of balsam fir, hemlock, black and white spruce, and juniper. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the trumpeter swans, the red-winged blackbird, the timber wolves, or the peregrine falcons. The state animal of Minnesota is the eastern timber wolf.