I looked at over 25 facilities with memory care. Arden Courts of Northbrook was definitely the…read morebest. Each and every 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 and their personal needs. 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 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. 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 receptionist always greets a person with a smile and eagerly assists in any way possible. 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 and elevator access. No -- 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 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.