Westminster Place

We were in the Evanston area, so decided to drop in on the Westminster Place retirement community to see about finding a place for our aunt. As assisted living facilities go, this one truly is lovely. They were able to let us take a tour easily without a reservation, which we really liked. We decided to visit facilities without reservations to get a truer picture of how they operate. The circular driveway resembles ones you see at stately residences throughout the area. The entire estate is surrounded by extraordinary lush greenery that is obviously well-tended.

All of the communal areas are bright and cheery. The library was particularly charming,with plenty of easy chairs and ample tables. They also have Internet hookups for those who are interested. The kitchen areas look like those we've seen in upscale homes, fully equipped with the latest appliances. Snacks are readily available at all times throughout the facility in nearby kitchenettes.

Health and wellness is a hallmark of the facility, with nurse practitioners always available. The staff is well-appointed and also always nearby. Residents have access to the grounds on an unlimited basis, but staff is always attentive. We liked the holistic and spiritual approach to health that exists there; residents are encouraged to exercise and move around frequently. The many activities offered make it easy for them to do this. Our aunt is very health conscious, so she really appreciates this as well.

We saw varying degrees of assistance provided to residents. For example, while some were on walkers, others were fully ambulatory. It was clear that there were plenty of staff around to supervise and handle any need that a resident may require.

By the looks of things, we expected that the food would be above-par, and it was. Interesting and healthy choices are available for all of the residents. Lots of fresh veggies and fruits are included in all of the gourmet-like dishes presented.

We could see that anyone who stayed at this facility would be quite content, including our aunt. This is most definitely, a very well-thought out and established retirement community.

I'm very happy my mom is moving into Westminster Place. It's a beautiful, large property that's kept up extremely well. The people living there are very nice and there seems to be a real sense of community. Before moving in, everything was freshly painted and carpeted based on my mom's preferences. A move consultant helps develop a floor plan and coordinate some of the moving details. It's expensive, but as long as my mom's happy, safe and comfortable, it's worth it.