THE SCOTTISH HOME of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society

I visited this facility

The Scottish Home is an assisted-living and nursing facility which sits on some five acres of privately-owned land surrounded by a forest preserve. It has been at this site for a long time even before the forest preserve was in existence. I would recommend The Scottish Home for residents who prefer history over the new. I liked the place quite a bit finding it is unique and charming. I loved the Scottish motif. As you travel on Desplaines Avenue, a major thoroughfare in North Riverside, you will see a smallish sign that says the Scottish Home and then drive into what seems to be a Forest Preserve. You will then pull up into a parking lot and see a two-storied brick building with a life size statue of a Scot in full regalia. The home itself is decorated much like a bed and breakfast with a Scottish color scheme and Scottish artwork. The lobby's carpet is red and green and the drapes are green and drawn back so you can see the gardens. There is television and comfortable chairs in the lobby and a painting of a Scot in kilts and bagpipes. There were a few people who were gathered and watching the news. The dining room is right outside the lobby and appears comfortable, although nothing fancy. The windows are large and if it had been a sunny day would have been appreciated. The meals are served buffet style although I was assured there was sufficient wait staff to bring the food to the residents. Its purpose is to present choices. The bedrooms in the assisted living section on the second floor are smallish and old fashioned. They do not come furnished except in situations where someone needs respite care. The bathrooms do not have showers or baths although there is a shower/bathing room down the hall. One deficit is that there are no two bedroom apartments and so couples can't share a room together although they can have rooms next to each other if available and share a bathroom. The facility is very clean and did not seem like an institution. Upstairs there is also an activity room and small kitchen. Residents were happily playing cards. I was told that card playing is very popular here. The Scottish Home is a smallish kind of facility and it did not feel at all like an institution. The average age of people staying here is in their mid eighties. There is a nursing home on site if residents need greater care. I would recommend this facility for people who want to live in a place where there is character and connection to the outdoors. There are several gardens and a pathway around the building.