Emerald Place - Glenview, IL

Emerald Place - Glenview, IL was new, so it was kind of an attractive place, and they have a pretty good staff-to-patient ratio. But it was a big place, so it felt kind of a crowded space because there was an event going on in one common area. Emerald Place is one building, so everything's together. And something was going on in the common area and there were a lot of people there. In a way, that's good because you get them to interact. We saw just about everything there. I was very impressed with their staff.

My husband is in Emerald Place in Glenview. It's a memory care facility. What I like about it is the location, the staff is extremely friendly and helpful, and they made the moving-in process very easy. The cleanliness is very good and the rooms are very nice and spacious. Overall, it's a beautiful facility and they seem to really take a great interest in their patients. They have wonderful communication with the families too. They have tons of activities. Every day they post a chart on the wall that has the monthly calendar, and there are numerous activities daily. I have not tried their food, but from what I've seen that my husband has had, they're not having their full menu right now. They had a water pipe issue in the dining room so they had to close the dining room and put in a new ceiling. The residents have been eating either in their own rooms or the community room, and they're not getting the choices that they would normally get on their printed daily menu. The food still looks good though.

Rooms are OK. Staff is a revolving door specifically CNA's, no continuity which it is important for the residents as they are in a new environment and continuity is extremely important. Current leadership is done by bulling and intimidation. Staff is in constant shortage. Examples being laundry being missed because employees are filling in for missing CNA's, meals to residents are being missed. 2nd Chef in 1 year is gone. No clear communication between family members and ED. Quarantine residents are not truly quarantine and are wondering the hallways without masks. Receptionist does not believe in masks "because they are uncomfortable".

My wife transitioned to Emerald Place in November 2019, after almost five years of home care for her Alzheimer’s Disease. That gave me a few months to become familiar with all aspects of life at Emerald Place prior to the pandemic visiting practices that began in March 2020. My selection of Emerald Place was based on feedback from a family member who visited several memory care communities and my own visit to Emerald Place. From the moment I started my tour, I knew that I had found an outstanding home for my wife – up-to-date, state-of-the art facilities with a staff that is proficient, caring and enthusiastic about working with the residents. Day- in and day-out, the upbeat disposition of the staff is felt by the residents who show their happiness. Emerald Place may be likened to a cruise ship – dining areas at the “stern” and activity areas at the “bow,” so residents are on the move many times each day as they transition between the areas, plus there is a lovely protected courtyard area and porches to enjoy during warmer weather. Just like a cruise ship, entertainment is offered on a regular basis along with bingo, flower arranging, exercise classes, religious services and more. The monthly activity calendar shows that every day is carefully planned for maximum resident enjoyment. Special events in 2020 include an appearance by the Jesse White Tumblers, Sheila Tulley Irish Dancers, Big Band Night, Hawaiian Luau, Cinco de Mayo, Elvis Presley and more. The rooms are spacious, bright, cheerful, well ventilated and each has excellent views of the surrounding neighborhood. No one looks out at a nearby wall. Meals are served in a formal dining room with a broad range of food to satisfy all tastes. A valuable, distinguishing feature of Emerald Place is the broad range of in-house services, a huge benefit for residents who may be challenged dealing with travel to off-site appointments. The upscale, full-service Kosoff salon takes care of all grooming needs. Physical and occupational therapists are equipped for onsite services. Remarkably, a dentist visits Emerald Place for a full range of dental services. A podiatrist visits regularly. Most importantly, in-house primary care is provided by a medical group that include physician assistants who see residents on a weekly basis. That enables them to be proactive to adjust medications promptly and address other emerging needs. The management team at Emerald Place is a high-energy, efficient group that is well liked by the staff and residents. They set a positive, pervasive tone that keeps spirits high, a critical element as everyone manages all aspects of life during the pandemic. Their professionalism shines as they proficiently manage pandemic challenges. Management meets with family members on a regular basis, plus there is a family support group and a book club, all elements that create a strong family feeling at Emerald Place – we’re all in this together! Lastly, if you would like to talk about my experience at Emerald Place, please ask the management for my contact information.

There are simply not enough words to say how blessed and truly grateful I am to the team at Emerald Place. In particular the Community Relations Director and Executive Director are outstanding beyond belief as is frankly the entire team. They moved mountains to help us get my mom where she needed to be, her new home. I say home because that’s what this place has really become for me and my mom. The treatment, care and kindness they have all shown, candidly I was afraid was lost in today’s day and age of elder care. Having already experienced two other places and unfortunately hearing horror stories of others, this place has turned out to be a godsend. Simply put, they have given me my life back. No longer do I worry if she is happy, I can see it all over her face. I don’t worry if she is sleeping as she tells me how wonderful it is to be able to have heat in her room as much as she wants, which I love that the staff always makes sure she is warm and cozy. In addition, not only is the food great but they make sure to help her eat if she needs. For anyone having to face this, I’ve been there and I understand what you are going through. I was in your very shoes so I am hoping this review will help ease your minds a bit because I cannot say enough good things about Emerald! They are simply the best, will treat your loved one the best and will make you feel part of them as they are truly one big family. I will be forever grateful to them!!!!

My father began to lose his physical and then memory skills during his 95th year. He had prided himself on his independence and had a difficult time adapting to his lose of Depression-Era pride. My family was blessed to find Emerald Place in Glenview. Its physical environment felt like home. Residents were able to move about the secured and monitored facilities with caregivers alert to their needs and location. Provided activities drew out language and memory skills through enjoyable activities. All residents were spoken to by name and caregivers took the time on a frequent basis to engage them in conversation about their lives. Sometimes, this can be a tricky population to manage but Emerald Place did so with compassion and loving care. My father was at Emerald Place for a short time but we will be forever grateful for making my father's remaining days peaceful . Deborah S. daughter

It’s all about family- Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is challenging to say the least and having family to support you is the most important aspect of this process. One of the toughest decisions that you will make as a care provider is to transition your loved one out of the home and in to a full-time facility. There are many choices out there and the horror stories are plenty. Completing research is exhausting, both physically and mentally, and the fear of your loved one’s neglect is generally your highest concern (no one can ever love and care for them as much as you). In my opinion and from the bottom of my heart, I believe that The Emerald Place is the best choice for Alzheimer’s care in the Chicago area. I’m living it. I spent nearly 6 months researching facilities across the Chicagoland area, landing initially on in-home care and eventually moving to a full-time facility ONLY because my dad was required as a hospital admit. My first-choice option for a facility was not open at the time as it was still under construction. We enrolled my dad at the second choice and it was not the right fit. We ultimately disenrolled my dad and brought him back home until our first-choice option, The Emerald Place, opened. My research was spot on! At the Emerald Place- it’s family. Not only does your family member get support but you become a part of an expanded family who welcomes you in to a community of love, compassion, and care where the needs of the disease are met and exceeded. It is where you can immerse yourself in education about how to receive and provide the best care not only for your loved one but for yourself as well. It is where you can sing and dance, hug and cry, share stories, and relax. It is where you don’t have to worry about the details and stress of what is happening to your loved one because the people here love them just as much as your family. It is where you can find peace. The family-focused activities, group events, and holistic approach to care are what sets The Emerald Place apart. My dad has been at The Emerald Place since it opened nearly 8 months ago. When he first arrived in the care community, he was a direct hospital admit, meaning he rode from the ambulance to the facility as his health was such that he could no longer remain with in-home care. Today, he is one of the most active, exuberant, and lively individuals there. He walks, dances, sings, and participates in the daily events that the incredible team of care providers offers. While the disease causes a decline in dad’s traditional definition of health, dad’s spirit improves. I attribute this to the approach, team, environment, services, and sense of family that exists at The Emerald Place. My dad isn’t the only one who has displayed improvements in the past 8 months. Both my mother and I have also seen a tremendous reduction of stress and return of happiness and faith that each moment of dad’s life is comfortable. This is directly tied to the holistic approach of The Emerald Place, where the belief is that Alzheimer’s affects everyone and that the family is cared for through a focus on group social events, blended activities, educational events, and a genuine care and concern for the family. You will not find care providers, nurses, volunteers, administrative team members, and environmental services and food services staff who every single moment of the day genuinely love and care for your family member and you anywhere else in the Chicagoland area. A single individual cannot care for someone who suffers from Alzheimer’s- it takes a family, and this is what you will find at The Emerald Place.

My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease about seven years ago, and up until November of 2017, he was able to stay at home, with some occasional help from caregivers. At that time, it was necessary to look close to home for a facility that offered only memory care. My specific requirements were that the place had to be clean, the staff had to be trained to engage residents other than a few words now and then, and the accommodations had to be pleasant. Emerald Place opened in December of 2017, and they offered a brand new facility, a young-thinking paradigm toward memory care, a fabulous engagement piece, and the accommodations were wonderful. My husband was one of the first five residents at the facility. His sociable nature was and the Emerald Place made a perfect fit for him. As with any new facility, as the resident population grew, the staff grew, and I never went to sleep worrying about the safety of my husband. Today, the staff and resident population is still growing, and the care is excellent. The Director, the Community Relations Manager, the nurses, the caregivers, the custodial staff, the engagement folks, and the kitchen staff are attuned to the needs of all of the residents, their families, and to the interactions among the residents and their families. It is a bright and happy home for my husband. He enjoys his new-found friends, and so do I.