Diamond Willow Assisted Living: Cloquet

02/06/2026

Our residents dug right in this afternoon, creating their very own edible groundhogs—no shadows spotted, but plenty of chocolatey smiles! 😋

02/04/2026

“Our residents are in for a special treat this Sunday as it’s Super Bowl Sunday! 🏈

Let the game begin and the good times roll!” 🎉

02/03/2026

✨ Come see us at the Duluth Women’s Expo! ✨

We’re excited to share that representatives from Keystone Bluffs and Diamond Willow Assisted Living & Memory Care will be hosting a booth at this year’s Duluth Women’s Expo on Saturday, February 28th at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center!

Stop by to chat with our team about some of our favorite things — seniors, assisted living, memory care, and how we help make life transitions a little easier for individuals and families. Whether you’re planning ahead, supporting a loved one, or just curious about what we do, we’d love to connect.

Plus… watching Jenny and Melissa from our corporate office attempt to make and serve cotton candy to everyone who visits our booth might be worth the trip alone 😄🍭

Come say hi, grab some cotton candy, and learn how Keystone Bluffs and Diamond Willow are creating communities where ALL can thrive.
See you there! 💗

01/30/2026

“Roses are red, frosting is too… our cinnamon rolls are made just for you! 💕

01/23/2026

💙 Diamond Willow Presents:

52 Tips for Transitioning a Loved One to Memory Care

Week Three: Expect a Transition Period

“It is extremely important to recognize the transition from home to residential care can be a very challenging one.”
— Collin Tierney

If you are making the decision to transition your loved one into memory care, please hear this:
You may be feeling so many emotions at once — and all of them are valid.
If you’ve been providing near 24/7 support, you might feel:
✨ relief
✨ hope
…and also
💔 guilt
💔 sadness
💔 fear
That emotional mix doesn’t mean you’re doing the wrong thing.
It means you love them.

And your loved one; even if they don’t fully understand what’s happening cognitively; may also experience intense feelings about the change. Memory care is a new environment with:
• new people
• new routines
• new sounds and expectations

Because of this, it’s important to know that major transitions can sometimes contribute to an initial decline, even when the move is absolutely the right choice.
Some families notice:
• a temporary decrease in functioning
• changes in mood or behaviors
• “new” personality traits they’ve never seen before
• increased confusion, anxiety, or restlessness
And sometimes the care team will call to report behaviors that feel shocking or unfamiliar. Please know: these variations can be normal during transition. Many residents settle into a new baseline — and many bounce back to where they were.
This is why preparation matters. The transition period is real — but it isn’t forever.

And because we know how hard a move can be for individuals living with dementia, it’s also important to understand the long-term capabilities of the community you choose.

Ask the question families don’t always think to ask:
👉 If my loved one’s physical needs increase, will they have to move again?
Will the community be able to support:
• mechanical lifts
• altered texture diets
• feeding assistance
• turning/repositioning in bed
• advanced stages of dementia care

At Diamond Willow, we are proud to support true aging in place, so families who choose our community can feel confident that this major transition only has to happen once.

✨ Follow along each week as we share practical tips, encouragement, and guidance for families navigating the memory care journey.

01/20/2026

Cheers to Denise and Proctor!! 🎉🎉🎉

✨ BIG NEWS at Diamond Willow Proctor! ✨
After months of hard work, lots of behind-the-scenes planning, and onboarding many new team members, we are SO excited to share that we are officially ready to open our 4th house at Diamond Willow Proctor…

🏡 Traditions Cottage opens tomorrow!
Traditions is small, cozy, calm, and home-like — making it a wonderful option for memory care and for individuals who do best in a quieter environment (especially those who may struggle with a busy or overstimulating setting).

✅ And yes — we will have bed availability!
I also want to give a huge shoutout to Denise LaGraves, Executive Director (pictured here) and her incredible Proctor team. Their dedication, long hours, flexibility, and teamwork have made this possible, and I’m beyond proud of the care and heart they’ve put into getting Traditions Cottage ready to welcome new residents. 💙

If you or someone you know is looking for a safe, supportive assisted living / memory care option in the Proctor area, please reach out — we’d love to help.

Jenny Sailer RN LALD
Regional Director

01/16/2026

💙 Diamond Willow Presents:

52 Tips for Transitioning a Loved One to Memory Care

Week Two: How to Talk with Your Loved One About Moving

One of the hardest parts of transitioning a loved one to memory care isn’t the paperwork… it’s the conversation.
If your loved one is living with dementia, it’s important to understand this truth:
Most individuals do not recognize that they need 24-hour supervision.
And it’s not because they’re being stubborn, manipulative, or “in denial.”
By the time someone requires 24-hour care, the parts of the brain responsible for insight and problem-solving are often already impacted; meaning they truly believe nothing is wrong.

So when families say:
❌ “You need more help.”
❌ “You can’t be alone anymore.”
❌ “It isn’t safe.”
…it can lead to frustration, anger, and conflict; because to them, it doesn’t match their reality.

✅ Instead, consider focusing on what feels positive and logical in their world:
• “This is your new apartment.”
• “You’ll have more people around and more to do.”
• “This place will help with meals, social time, and daily routines.”

And yes — this is where we often talk about therapeutic fibbing.
It may feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s okay to use gentle “white lies” when it comes to safety.
It can sound like:
• “The house needs repairs for a bit.”
• “The car is in the shop.”
• “Let’s stay here for a little while.”

💛 The goal isn’t to argue, correct, or force them into your reality.
The goal is to keep them calm, safe, and supported in theirs.
You’re not giving up honesty; you’re choosing compassion.

✨ Follow along each week as we share practical tips and guidance for families navigating the memory care journey.

01/13/2026

Looking for a place to call home? 🏡

Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Cloquet currently has open rooms available for new residents!

We’d love for you to come see what makes our community so special — our caring staff, welcoming atmosphere, and the comfort of home. 💜

Even if you’re just starting to explore options or feeling unsure, we’re always happy to give you a tour and share more information to help you make the best decision.

Sometimes, all it takes is putting your foot in the door to find the right fit.

To learn more or schedule a visit, give us a call — we’d be happy to show you around! 💕

Contact our RN Supervisor Sam (218)-591-0390. 🌸

01/13/2026

Sprinkling a little joy one doughnut at a time. 🍩✨

01/07/2026

💙 52 Tips for Transitioning a Loved One to Memory Care
Week One: Choosing the Right Community

Choosing a memory care community is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for someone you love.

If your loved one is still able to participate in the conversation, start there. Understanding their needs, preferences, and wishes can help guide the process and ensure they feel respected and heard. If they are no longer able to meaningfully contribute their wishes, take some time to reminisce and recall all of the special things that make them who they are.

Before choosing a memory care community, take time to research and tour multiple options. Look closely at the level of care each community can support; not just today, but as needs change over time. Moves can be especially stressful for individuals living with dementia, and repeated transitions can contribute to decline for both the individual and their family. Finding a place where your loved one can remain long-term can make all the difference.

Each community should be able to clearly share the services and amenities they provide; but just as important is how the space feels when you walk through the door. You know your loved one best.
Does it feel like home? Does the environment feel calm, warm, and supportive?

At Diamond Willow, we’re proud of our cozy, home-like settings and the close, personalized care we provide. Our communities are equipped to support higher physical care needs; including mechanical lifts, modified diets, feeding assistance, and more, allowing residents to remain with us through all stages of life. We also partner closely with local hospice organizations to ensure end-of-life transitions are peaceful, dignified, and surrounded by care for both residents and families.

✨ Follow along each week as we share practical tips, guidance, and encouragement for families navigating the memory care journey.

01/02/2026

✨Happy New Year from all of us at Diamond Willow ✨

What better way to welcome the New Year than together. Picking up an overnight shift on New Year’s Eve turned into a truly special moment—sharing midnight with our fellow overnight staff and a few residents reminded us how much these simple moments mean. ❤️

As the ball dropped, we laughed, enjoyed snacks and sparkling soda, and welcomed a new year side by side. It was quiet, meaningful, and filled with warmth—one of those moments you don’t forget.

From our Diamond Willow family to yours, we wish everyone a happy, healthy, and peaceful year ahead. May this year bring comfort, joy, and many moments of togetherness.

Sincerely,
Madi 🤍✨

12/26/2025

With the fullest and most grateful hearts, thank you to the incredible members of our community who went above and beyond to make Christmas truly special for our residents.

Your generosity was more than gifts—it was love, comfort, and a reminder to our residents that they are deeply cared for and never forgotten. The joy and emotion on their faces are moments I will carry with me forever.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the Sappi Community Connections Committee, The Fig Tree, Angie Kost, Lisa Karulak (Cloquet American Auxiliary 262), students of South Ridge Schools, and the employees & volunteers of the Quilted Dog Quilt Shop.

Because of you, our residents felt the warmth of the season and the true magic of Christmas. We are endlessly grateful. 🤍🎄

Sincerely,
Madi ❤️