A Career of Compassion for Memory Care Residents

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Since Emerald Crest Shakopee was built in 2001, Jeanne Anderson has been a steady presence. As director of health services there and Emerald Crest Burnsville, her commitment to compassion, innovation, and relationship building with residents and their loved ones alike has created an example for nurses and caregivers to follow as Emerald Crest sets itself apart as it provides memory care in the Twin Cities metro area.

From Hospital Nursing to Memory Care

While commuting from her home in Shakopee to a hospital in Minneapolis, Jeanne was recruited by a former nursing supervisor to be a registered nurse at Emerald Crest Shakopee once it was built in 2001.

Jeanne valued the opportunity to work close to home while raising young children, and she was drawn to the memory care environment.

“I thought it would be a unique setting and a nice challenge,” Jeanne says. “My heart has always been with older adults, especially in memory care.”

Jeanne and her coworkers had the opportunity to be pioneers in Shakopee, as Emerald Crest was the city’s first memory care community.

A Calling Rooted in Connection with Older Adults

Jeanne has fond memories of visiting her local nursing home as a young girl.

“I have always been around older adults and felt comfortable around them,” she says. “I love hearing their stories about their lives.”

She appreciates the uniqueness of each person and takes pride in being there to support them.

“Each resident is unique, and so is their journey,” Jeanne says. “I’m blessed to be a part of that journey. I’ve always wanted to help people, care for them, and give them quality of life during their hardest times. With Emerald Crest, I feel I have been able to do that.”

Feeling at Home for 25 Years

When asked what has kept her at Emerald Crest for so many years, Jeanne calls it a special place to be a nurse, where she is able to connect with others better than in other settings.

“I like that we are a smaller setting and we get to know our residents and families so well,” she says. “We are able to build connections with families that often last years after their loved one has passed away. We see families come back to visit years later or become volunteers to our current residents. These residents and families become part of my family that I carry with me every day.”

Leading with Compassion

In her role as director of health services, Jeanne oversees the licensed nurses and caregivers to ensure policies are being followed.

“I love to see our caregivers learn and grow and become the best versions of themselves, both professionally and personally,” she says.

She especially enjoys overseeing new caregivers; providing leadership, accountability, and mentorship along the way.

Whether training or overseeing others, Jeanne strives to model Cassia service standards like excellence, compassion, stewardship, and unity.

“There is nothing I would ever ask of them that I would not do myself,” Jeanne says. “Showing them that level of respect ultimately affects the residents. I have found over the years that there is nothing they wouldn’t do for me or our residents that I asked of them.”

The Most Rewarding Part of the Job

Jeanne says she has learned life lessons from every resident. She finds her and her team’s interactions with them rewarding.

“I always tell our caregivers that residents in memory care may not remember your name, but they will always remember how you make them feel,” she says. “Getting those thank yous, hugs, or smiles from residents who can’t always express their needs is the most rewarding.”

A Resident Who Changed Everything

Jeanne remembers one resident who moved to Emerald Crest Shakopee late in her disease process. Her prognosis was poor, as she was nonverbal, unable to eat solid foods, and had been on and off hospice.

The Emerald Crest team got to know her, her needs, and how to best accommodate her. They discovered a new shake of liquefied, pureed food that she could drink that was so successful they named it after her and use it for other residents in a similar situation.

“She lived and thrived off that shake for almost 10 years,” Jeanne says. “Although she couldn’t speak, she always showed us in other ways she was in there and knew us.”

Jeanne especially enjoyed her hugs.

Even though this resident has passed, her husband regularly visits and shares his life with the Emerald Crest team.

“We all had the pleasure of watching their grandkids grow from small children to adults during her stay,” Jeanne says. “He considers us part of his family now.”

This anecdote is proof that person-centered care can make a profound difference, even in the most challenging situations.

Creating an Environment Where Residents Can Thrive

Because of Emerald Crest Shakopee’s small, residential setting, the community can accept and care for residents that other memory care communities cannot.

“We have an amazing ability to provide those tough cases love, compassion, and quality of life during what could be considered the hardest times,” Jeanne says.

For some, that means coming to the community from homelessness or with guardians who are only involved from a distance, and Jeanne is proud of how employees step up to help them.

“They take these residents in as family,” she says. “They donate items, they help unpack and clean their furniture or clothes without hesitation. We have assisted in moving people using our own time and money because they have no other way. It’s because of this that the residents come in and are set up for success from the time of admission.”

Once again, Jeanne points to Cassia’s values as making a difference.

“Modeling and maintaining a culture that exceeds our Cassia standards is what allows our residents to thrive,” she says.

A Team that Feels Like Family

Teamwork makes Emerald Crest Shakopee special.

“We all work so closely together to make our residents’ lives better,” Jeanne says. “I have gotten to know many of our longtime staff members’ families. I have watched their children grow up just like they have seen my kids grow up.”

Even when team members move on, they often stay in touch. Families do the same even after their loved ones are gone.

“These families often still come back or check in after their loved ones are gone,” Jeanne says. “I can truly say we are all one big family. I know this is cliché, but we all feel it in our hearts.”

Continuing a Legacy of Compassion

After 25 years at Emerald Crest Shakopee, Jeanne remains inspired by the people around her—residents, families, nurses, and caregivers alike. While memory care has evolved considerably since the community opened its doors in 2001, her mission has remained the same: helping residents experience dignity, comfort, and meaningful connections throughout their journey.

Through her leadership, mentorship, and unwavering compassion, Jeanne has helped create a culture where residents are known as individuals, families become part of the community, and caregivers are empowered to grow both professionally and personally. It is a culture reflected in the countless lives touched over the years and in the relationships that continue long after a resident's stay has ended.

Jeanne's journey reflects the culture that continues to define Emerald Crest Shakopee—one built on compassion, relationships, and personalized care. For families navigating memory loss, finding the right support can make all the difference. At Emerald Crest Shakopee, residents are cared for like family, and loved ones gain a trusted partner for every step of the journey.

To learn more about memory care at Emerald Crest or schedule a visit in Shakopee, Burnsville, or Minnetonka, contact our team today.