Heritage of Des Plaines

A close friend of my family was staying at this facility and I frequently visited her here. She has been to plenty of assisted living homes and seemed to like this one the best. She had a private bathroom and bedroom, but the other facilities and common rooms were very well kept. The staff was overwhelmingly nice and seemed to genuinely care about the people they were taking care of. The food was okay, I had taken a bite of one of her meals and it was not something I would cook for myself, but certainly not bad. Also one thing that really stuck out to me about this facility was there was never a shortage of activities for the residents to participate it. There were constant events in the facility, and sometimes the residents were bussed to other places for shopping trips, golfing, etc.. Over all I think this was a great facility. It is clean, well kept, and provides a high level of care to the people who live here.

I’m looking for place for my dad who has dementia. I’ve visited the facility and it’s very nice. The people there were very caring and nice. They provide three meals a day and a variation of snack items. They keep their residents busy with their daily activities. They have garden, heated swimming pool, and recreational rooms. Very nice place.

My Mother has been residing at the Heritage for about 5 years and we have been very happy with everything. The employees really seem to love the elderly. They have great transportation to various shopping, field trips, etc. for the residents. There is a very reasonably priced lunch room and a beautiful pool with a glass ceiling - which was our main attraction. They also have plenty of activities daily and sweet moral boosting functions and contests - like prom king and queen - how cute is that!!

The facility seemed clean and the staff was nice and courteous. My wife's grandmother was a resident of this facility and she enjoyed her time there. When I stopped by to visit, it appeared to me that there were plenty thing to do. I saw people socializing, and interaction between staff and residents was positive. I found the floor to be nicely decorated and provided a warm feeling. I didn't have any reservations regarding Heritage and would recommend them to others. My wife's grandmother's only complaint would be the food. Not anything like what she used to be able to throw together in her own kitchen.If I was to personally think of anything negative about Heritage, I would have to say that the only thing that comes to mind is the location. I'm not a huge fan of Des Plaines. I find that area to be crowded. The other would be cost. Although this isn't a big surprise and I expected the cost of assisted living to be a bit pricey.

My grandmother had been there since 2005. She has Alzheimer&'s and I can't say enough good things about the assisted living care she is receiving. Care is based on the individual's needs and abilities not based on a broad diagnosis. Shared social areas are beautiful. Grandma's private room and bathroom are simple and just right for her. She gets weekly laundry and housekeeping three meals a day plus all the benefits of a staff that I can say is outstanding compared to anything I have seen at other nursing homes. Meals are nutritious and generous and residents have choices for every meal which they make from a menu provided daily. The building is well-maintained. The interior as mentioned is lovely and very clean. Most impressive to me is how engaged the staff are with every patient. The nurses aides and administrators deal with each resident as an individual carefully pairing up who will be good table-mates in the dining room adjusting as needed encouraging residents to attend events that will appeal to them.

The Heritage of Des Plaines, Illinois is a great assisted living community that I would recommend. I was able to visit a friend of my fathers in 2009. The common areas of the facility are very well maintained and are appealing. There were many areas to get sunshine inside and out. There are several areas to walk and sit outside to visit. Inside, there are several living areas in which to sit and relax or visit. The furniture, art and decorations are all very nice in the common areas, including the living room. The rooms were large and nicely furnished. I really liked the layout of the facility. Overall, I would recommend Heritage of Des Plaines

I went with my friend to give her my opinion on this facility for her mom. I haven't really been to any retirement homes recently. I had a image in my head what they would be like from the way they portray them in the movies. Oh my god. They have come a long way. I was so impressed with this facility. It made me want to move in. It was like a big resort. They kept everyone busy. No sitting in a rocking chair here. There are a lot of activities and a lot of attention from the employees. It was a very happy and calm atmosphere. All the nurses acted like they wanted to be here. It was more than just a job to them. The whole facility was very clean and bright. The price was around the same amount as some other homes. So it wasn't very high. If I need to recommend a home to someone in the future this would definetly be the place. I gave my friend the thumbs up on this facility!

The greatest strength, and perhaps the greatest weakness, of The Heritage is that, when compared to other assisted living facilities, it does not seem to actually be one.

Please don't misunderstand; the Heritage is divided, by floors, into different levels of care, and the care provided on the more "advanced" levels rivals or exceeds that provided by most assisted living centers. Definitely not for those seeking to stretch their senior-care dollar, it is nontheless a fair value for those who genuinely appreciate a somewhat more oppulent environment and amenities not usually found in comparable communities.

It's very location reflects the facility's nature: situated at an intersection of major streets and next to a stop for Chicago's Metra rail system, it is readily accessible to Chicago's near-northwestern suburbs and even downtown Chicago. However, it is also set back into a neighborhood sedate enough to allow casual walks through the the nearby commercial district. (For good or bad, the structure directly overlooks a playground/ballpark in the rear.)

In reality, The Heritage is more of a "transitional" facility than it is a simple assisted living location. The majority of residence floors feature compact yet complete apartments featuring small kitchens/kitchenettes and balconies. While security and supervision are present, and meals are provided in the well-appointed dining areas on this basic-care level, the intent is clearly for those still readily able to function independently. While the front desk monitors access, most residents have no restrictions whatsoever on their movements.

The food service is a notch above average, and the always-available options favor those for whom making choices is representative of their continued independence. A certain level of decorum and dress is expected in the dining and communal areas. While this is appreciated by some, it can become problematic for those whose faculties or health have begun to fail. On that note, that is actually the major drawback of The Heritage in general: what makes it a very pleasant environment for those of relatively sound mind and body is exactly which makes it increasingly inappropriate for those whose physical or mental health is undergoing considerable decline.

For seniors wishing to simplify their lives, perhaps to be more accessible to family, this is a great place to adjust to communal living without necessarily comitting to a more sheltered and restricted environment. It can comfortably and safely continue to accommodate those who have begun to experience the declines associated with age and disease. However, for anyone whose health or mental faculties are or soon will be significantly impaired (especially those experiencing dementia), there are many other facilities in the area that provide a more appropriate environment and care, and at similar or significantly lower prices.