Chicago is home to over 2.5 million people, about 12% of whom are 65 or over. Many of the city’s senior residents stay active and independent in their own homes, but others need some help with basic daily tasks. Fortunately, there are plenty of top-notch assisted living facilities in the Chicago area, where they can continue to live life to the fullest.
Chicago’s best senior living arrangements are located at various points across the city; if you want to compare them more easily, you could visit a site like Seniorly to learn more about the area’s top choices. Whether your focus is on luxury surroundings, 24/7 care, or affordability, there’s something for everyone. To find out more about the top-rated assisted living facilities in the Chicago area, just keep reading.
Mercy Circle
This faith-based facility is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, and offers assisted and independent living, skilled nursing services, and memory care. Residents occupy one-bedroom apartments that have kitchenettes, ensuite storage, and spacious walk-in showers. Visitors can share a meal with their loved ones, and accompany them to one of the daily liturgies in the chapel as well. The campus is large, and the landscaped common areas offer a pleasant spot for outdoor activities. There are also regularly scheduled movie nights, plus a barbershop and a beauty salon.
Sunrise of Lincoln Park
This inviting senior living community is located in Chicago’s Park West neighborhood, nearby world-class medical facilities like Illinois Masonic Hospital and Northwestern Hospital. Their Live With Purpose program is designed to encourage active, independent lives among residents. The program includes exercise classes that are tailored to the residents’ physical capabilities, and help promote cognitive and physical wellness. There’s also a restaurant-style dining room, plus common areas that are sunlit and roomy.
Brookdale Lake View
Located just a short walk away from the city’s lakeside Lincoln Park, this assisted living facility is a full-service upscale option with quite a few amenities. These include a crafts studio, fitness center, theater, and bistro; residents can also take advantage of nearby shops and restaurants. There’s a community room that’s available for specially planned events, and the facility even allows out-of-town visitors to reserve guest suites. There’s also a business center with WiFi and computers, as well as a therapy room and an on-site medical clinic.
Norwood Crossing
This pet-friendly facility is located in Old Norwood Park; their services include skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, memory care, and assisted living. It’s close to the AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center, and there are multiple shops and cafés within walking distance. Residents enjoy sing-alongs, exercise classes, live entertainment, laundry/linen services, and general housekeeping services. And of course, they also receive dedicated assistance with daily tasks if needed. The dining room provides meals and snacks that are both nutritious and tasty, and residents who love spending time outside can enjoy the ample landscaped campus.
St. Joseph Village of Chicago
This nonprofit Catholic senior living community is only a few blocks to the west of Wrigley Field. It’s well-connected to public transport, and offers memory care, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and assisted living services. The on-site chapel holds services regularly, and residents enjoy using the hydrotherapy whirlpool, exercise room, landscaped courtyard, and hobby/craft rooms. There’s a family party room that’s available for private events (with reservations), and their SeniorFIT program encourages residents to stay active. The facility is open to people of all faiths, but it’s likely that those of the Catholic faith will feel most comfortable here.
Autumn Green at Wright Campus
This assisted living facility offers spacious private suites that feature large bedrooms, ensuite storage, and kitchens. There are both independent and assisted living services available, and pets can accompany their owners as well. The facility’s dedicated culinary team can accommodate special diets upon request, and residents enjoy their meals in the restaurant-style dining space. Amenities include a beauty salon, library, enclosed courtyard, and cards/billiards room. There are also planned group outings, movie nights, and weekly happy hours.
Covenant Home of Chicago
This LGBTQ-friendly assisted living facility can be found in Andersonville, a residential neighborhood that’s known for its vibrancy. It’s across the street from The Swedish Hospital, which is an acute care facility that includes a 24-hour emergency department. There are also specialist clinics and other medical services nearby. The apartments here are bright and large, and include their own kitchenettes for the times when residents don’t feel like enjoying the varied dining options. A concierge is made available from 8 AM to 8 PM every day of the week; for emergencies, there’s a 24/7 response system in place. The Chicago Methodist Senior Services provides priority access to rehab care, skilled nursing, and memory care to the residents who require it.
Brookdale Lake Shore Drive
This luxury assisted living facility offers stunning views of both Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Residents can easily access Lincoln Park, Fullerton Beach, and Theatre on the Lake, and the AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital is located close by. The neighborhood also contains a number of restaurants and shops, as you’d expect from one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods. Residents can opt for either independent or assisted living services, and they can bring their pets too. Amenities include an enclosed courtyard, a fireside living room, guest suites, and a concierge service.
Victory Centre of South Chicago
This senior living community has 112 assisted living apartments, and 72 independent living apartments. There are plenty of on-site activities for residents to enjoy, like the educational series World Tour, where residents explore cultures and languages from around the globe. The facility also offers Good Vibrations, a drumming circle that focuses on mental, physical, and spiritual well-being, and See Spot Retire, which lets residents connect with aging rescue dogs. Meals are prepared with locally sourced ingredients, and each apartment comes with an accessible bathroom and a kitchenette.
The takeaway
If you’re looking for the best Chicago-area assisted living facility, the options above are a good place to start. Some of them are pet-friendly, others offer programs that’ll keep your loved one active, while still others focus on expert medical care. In other words, it’s possible to find a facility that offers everything you want and more.