Arden Courts of Northbrook

Jane M

The Memory Care facility is currently redecorating as it was dated looking up till now, but yet its homelike setting is what helped my decision to place my husband there last fall. There is very little turnover in staff, and we noticed how the staff always looks happy to be there and always engaged with the residents. The activities provided are varied, including family activities each month, which include grandchildren! When I walk into visit, all staff members know me and often share a conversation or activity with my husband. The communication is fabulous! I get responses right away when I need to reach out. The director takes a hands on approach, visiting with the residents or visitors. When I had to travel, I knew my husband would continue to have great care, which put me at ease. A friend asked me if I was still good with my choice for a place and I stated that it has been a continual confirmation of great placement! Training for staff is ongoing monthly and they really know how to distract, or refocus residents when needed as Alzheimers can include lots of behavioral issues. All in all, blessed with Arden Courts!

Bruce

My mother-in-law lives in Arden Courts of Northbrook, and the place so far has been outstanding. They are such cooperative and caring people. The staff, no matter what level, from the director right down to the aides, all had one mission in mind, and that's to make your experience as pleasant as possible. We really would never move for we love it there. The rooms are sufficient, and they furnish them, which is something that the other place I toured doesn't do, and is a real plus. There's a nice-sized bathroom, a sleeping area, and there's room for a chair and a dresser. The food is really good. What's most important is that if my mother-in-law doesn't like what they're having, they very willingly will make a salad or hamburger for her. The food is presented very nicely, but if it's not exactly what you like, they try to accommodate you. They have four dining areas, one for each wing, and they are like a big kitchen. They have tables and chairs in there, there aren't any fancy decorations, and it's a very simple dining area. They have a lot of activities, they bring in entertainment, they bring in dogs, and they have storytellers. Today, they're having a Passover Seder for the families. They really try to include the families in the activities as much as possible. The facilities are very simple but very pleasant, very calming, and very clean. If you can afford it, it's a great place. They definitely have a lot of staff that take care of you, there are people there all the time. You get what you pay for, there's no doubt that they deserve to get that money.

GLMIL

When I first started seeking support with my husband’s care, we chose Arden Courts for respite care. After very good experiences, it was an easy choice when the time came for permanent placement for him. He is now a resident at Arden Courts. It is the perfect place for him. When choosing Arden Courts I was particularly impressed by the physical layout and the safety of the facility. The residents are able to move around the entire facility as well as move outside to the secure walking paths and outside garden areas. This was perfect for my husband’s case and his needs. Being an early onset Alzheimer’s patient in the later stages of his dementia, the staff is extremely caring and cognizant of his particular needs. The caregivers consider each resident as an individual with their own special needs. They care for residents in all stages of memory challenges. The director is extremely responsive and all of my husband’s many needs are always considered.

Provider Response

Sibling P.O.A.

I looked at over 25 facilities with memory care. Arden Courts of Northbrook stood out from all the rest. Each staff member/caregiver at Arden Courts demonstrates true compassion, understanding, acceptance, and excellence of care. The director frequently interacts with the residents. She knows all the residents' individual needs. Equally important, she is easily available to family members and goes out-of-her-way to accommodate. The nurses are a blessing. They listen to the residents and families to provide the best overall care. They take a special interest in each resident, note changes in behavior, and frequently talk to the doctors. The doctors consult with the residents and prescribe medications carefully and sparingly to help the patient live the best life possible. (The last place my brother was at -- for one month -- wanted to give him psychiatric drugs without any thought of the negative effect on his dementia. Caused harm, not good -- nurses and doctors didn't care. Brother had a urinary infection, they didn't even test him or try to help -- just gave strong psychotic drugs. ) The activity director at Arden Courts provides thought provoking games, exercises, and socialization for all levels of memory care residents. Music, art, movie nights, Men's Club, Women's Club -- all of the various activities are provided to give the residents a sense of normalcy and purpose. The caregivers excel at giving personalized assistance with loving patience. Couldn't ask for any better attention. Maintenance and housekeeping staff are wonderful in keeping the residents comfortable in a tidy, clean environment. Kudos also to the kitchen staff. A variety of foods are provided, and accommodations are made when needed. They take pride in what they do. Don't forget the importance of the environmental setting. Arden Courts of Northbrook does not have residents on the second or third floor with stair or elevator access. Residents are all on the first floor, in separate rooms with their own 1/2 bath, and with access to two large enclosed, secure courtyards connected by a 1/4 mile walking path. (In the other facility, my brother was on the third floor and doubted that he would ever again touch a leaf or walk across green grass.) In warm weather, Arden Courts allows the residents to go in and out the doors to the courtyards and walking path as they want. There are four "house" wings to Arden Courts that allow more individual care, being that each "house" has only 14 residents with their own caregivers. Each house has a large living room with television and comfy chairs and an extra large, bright kitchen/dining area that overlooks a courtyard. Each kitchen has its own refrigerator that has extra treats for snacking. Family members can even bring an occasional treat to put in the refrigerator or freezer for their loved one. The four "houses" connect to a main activity center that houses a studio for art, bingo, and other activities; a community room with a piano for larger gatherings of trivia, exercises, music, movie nights, etc.; a nurse's office; and a room used by a barber, beautician, podiatrist, and dentist. My review is long; it needs to be to point out the many things a person needs to consider before placing a loved family member in a memory care facility. Arden Courts is a blessing! I saw more than enough places, but it wasn't until I saw Arden Courts of Northbrook and met the amazingly wonderful staff that I knew that was the only place for my brother.

Provider Response

CAM333

It's all about the staff. When I had to find a "Place for Mom", it was a crisis (as it often is) but I was determined to do due diligence. My sister and I made the rounds of local memory care facilities and found a broad range of offerings, but nothing that hit all the marks except Arden Court. Homelike environment--check Secure--check Friendly staff--check Engaging activity program--check I didn't expect Mom to be there long but she has been so well cared for that she has survived far longer than anybody expected. There are active programs for families as well--educational programs on dementia, a wonderful support group for families, holiday parties. Family members are welcome at all times and also welcome to participate in resident programs. But most of all, I am impressed with the thoughtfulness and the incredible caring of the staff. From the director to the custodial staff, they really care for the residents. The nurses are clinically astute and conscious of each resident's status. The Activities Director comes up with programs that fit every level of need. Recent Covid restrictions actually brought out the best in everyone. I am so glad Mom is at Arden Court.

Provider Response

Anonymous115113650

Arden Courts of Northbrook was a really excellent place for Alzheimer's patients. The rooms were small but nice and clean. The staff that I met seemed very professional and very caring. They had sing-alongs. There were small dining areas in four different wings, so that the patients don't have to go far to eat. The staff know the patients and the patients know the staff. They're comfortable because they know where they are and what they're supposed to be doing, which is important for Alzheimer's patients.