Connecting, caring, joy

When a local senior living organization wanted to improve its facility, it went right to the greatest source—its residents.

Prairie Cottages took over management and operations of Traditions in Owatonna in June 2024. Nearly a year later the facility has been rebranded and is now called Cedar Lodge Owatonna.

“This is a different community now than when we took over a year ago,” said Michael Schwertfeger of Cedar Lodge.

Engaging residents helped Cedar Lodge make necessary improvements, which took the entire year. “We asked ourselves what do we need to do to make this an exceptional place to live,” he said. “We sent in a social worker to survey the residents and started with a base of this is the feedback they’re giving us.”

Proof of listening to residents lies in the new name, Cedar Lodge. Alexis Colby, a long-time resident, came up with the name, and staff quickly jumped on it. Cedar Lodge created a new logo and held a grand reopening for the community in June.

“A light bulb went off in my head that the name really ties it together with the community,” Schwertfeger said. “We’re located right off Cedar Avenue.”

Cedar Lodge is entirely assisted living and offers 53 units/apartments. There is no memory care unit offered. “Our goal is to have the residents remain in the community and have them thrive,” Schwertfeger said.

Staffing changes have been made with levels increasing at Cedar Lodge. Becky Gilman serves as director.

Asked about one of the biggest changes made, Schwertfeger responded: “The culture of the people working in the building. They are enjoying their jobs and engaging with the residents. The focus is connecting, caring and creating moments of joy.”

He said it’s especially important for staff members to share moments of joy with residents. “No matter what anyone is going through, we talk to them and listen to them. It’s all a part of the culture,” said Schwertfeger. “We can care better for residents if we can connect with them.”

The focus on joy also helps create a more welcoming atmosphere. “There is laughter and talking going on throughout the building,” he said.

Some physical changes have also been made to the facility, including landscaping around the building, new carpeting, updated lighting and painting.

The facility has also added a newly improved menu and more activities.

At the June grand reopening, Cedar Lodge offered a country and western theme with horses, a covered wagon, saddles and cowboys. They supplied cowboy hats and bandanas for everyone to wear. Monte Mowry of Owatonna helped plan the festivities.

If you missed the reopening, Cedar Lodge invites the public to join them for community coffee and bingo every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. “We love having guests coming in,” Schwertfeger said.

Cedar Lodge isn’t the only senior living place in Owatonna for Prairie Cottages, which purchased of Traditions II, a 46-unit memory care facility. Previously, Traditions II was half assisted living and half memory care. Schwertfeger noted there is a high demand for memory care units.

Prairie Cottages has been in operation for 26 years around Minnesota with facilities in Albert Lea, New Richland, New Ulm, Hutchinson, Willmar and Isanti. Prairie Cottages offered one of the first memory care units in the state.

As for the greatest advantage of living in a Prairie Cottage facility, Schwertfeger said that’s easy. “It’s the community, friendships and the culture—all are welcoming,” he said. “It’s not ideal to live in without those,” he added.