Montclare Supportive Living

Pros

• Family members appreciate the helpfulness and accommodation of the staff at Montclare-Lawndale.
• The director is highly regarded for her exceptional assistance in getting residents set up and finalizing paperwork.
• The facility went above and beyond by offering a furnished one-bedroom apartment at no extra charge when an unfurnished option was unavailable.
• Residents enjoy good food and find that staff can keep up with them during walks.
• A variety of activities, including field trips, an in-house beauty salon, and speech/physical therapy, are available for residents to engage in.
• Family members express a strong recommendation for Montclare-Lawndale to others seeking supportive living options for their loved ones.

Cons

• The facility destroyed all of the resident's belongings without any notification to him or his family members.
• The lack of a Power of Attorney on file led to the facility following rules that resulted in the loss of personal items.
• The family was not informed about their loved one's move to the facility, leading to feelings of confusion and concern.
• The issue regarding the destruction of belongings has not been properly resolved, causing ongoing distress for the family.
• There is a suggestion that families may be unaware of important legal documents needed for proper care and communication with the facility.

Review

Montclare-Lawndale, a supportive living facility, has garnered mixed feedback from families of residents. One family member shared a poignant account regarding the experience of their loved one who resided at Montclare. Initially, everything appeared to be going smoothly. The brother of the reviewer was admitted to the facility in reasonably good health and without any complications stemming from the application process. However, a sudden shift occurred when he fell ill and was subsequently transported to a local hospital before being referred to a rehabilitation facility.

The family's troubles began during this moment of crisis. It was brought to their attention that while their brother was receiving medical care elsewhere, Montclare had discarded all of his belongings. This decision came as a shock, particularly since there had been no prior notification to either him or his family members about this course of action. The facility cited the absence of a Power of Attorney as justification for destroying his personal items, stating that they were merely following established protocols. However, this explanation left many questions unanswered and raised concerns among family members about the policies in place concerning residents’ belongings.

The family sought clarity on these procedures and were told by an official from a State of Illinois agency that facilities are typically required to notify residents and/or their families 30 days prior to disposing of any belongings. Unfortunately, such notification did not occur in this case, leaving the family feeling unheard and deeply frustrated with Montclare's handling of their brother’s possessions during an already challenging time. As an important takeaway for other families with loved ones residing at Montclare-Lawndale, it is crucial for them to ensure that relevant legal documents—such as Powers of Attorney—are on file within the resident's records.

In stark contrast to this troubling account stands another review praising Montclare-Lawndale for its efforts in providing compassionate care and accommodating services. A relative expressed satisfaction with how smoothly they navigated the admission process for their cousin into the facility. They noted exceptional support from staff members throughout the transition period, specifically highlighting how helpful and accommodating they were during paperwork finalization.

A noteworthy incident described involved a mix-up regarding apartment availability during move-in day; despite initially lacking an unfurnished one-bedroom unit—as requested—the staff offered a furnished one-bedroom apartment at no additional charge instead of urging them to downgrade or search elsewhere for accommodation. Such gestures reflect positively on Montclare's commitment to ensuring comfort and convenience for new residents amid potential challenges that can arise during transitions.

Further adding to positive sentiments about life at Montclare is feedback concerning daily activities and engagement opportunities available for residents. The review indicates that both food quality and staff attentiveness contribute positively to overall resident satisfaction—specifically noting that aides are capable enough to accompany residents during walks around the premises safely.

Moreover, Montclare provides various engaging activities such as off-site field trips along with in-house services like beauty salons and therapy sessions focused on speech and physical rehabilitation. These offerings position Montclare-Lawndale not only as a supportive living environment but also as one where social interaction and care go hand-in-hand.

Ultimately, while experiences at Montclare-Lawndale differ significantly across different families—highlighting both critical areas needing improvement alongside commendable aspects—these reviews underline essential considerations surrounding communication practices within assisted living facilities as well as ongoing support provided by dedicated staff members crucially impacting daily life for residents.

This area of Chicago, Illinois offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With several parks nearby, such as Douglas Park and Humboldt Park, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and recreational opportunities. The proximity to pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy ensures easy access to medications and healthcare products. Additionally, the presence of reputable hospitals like Rush University Medical Center and Loyola University Medical Center ensures quality healthcare services are readily available. There are also plenty of dining options ranging from fast food chains like Chick-Fil-A to local breweries like Marz Community Brewery. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded community with access to essential services for seniors looking to settle down in a vibrant urban setting.

Parks

• Douglas Park (1.8 miles)
• Humboldt Park (3.8 miles)
• Union Park (4 miles)
• The 606 — Western Terminus (4 miles)
• Skinner Bark Park (4.1 miles)
• Skinner Dog Park (4.1 miles)
• Bloomingdale Trail — The 606 (4.5 miles)

Transportation

• CTA - Kedzie-Homan (1.9 miles)
• Cta (4 miles)
• Concourse B (4.7 miles)
• Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) (4.7 miles)
• Cta (4.8 miles)
• CTA - Clinton (5 miles)
• Jamba Union Station / Chicago (5.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.8 miles)

Restaurants

• The Barrel (3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.6 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (3.7 miles)
• Kaiser Tiger (4.2 miles)
• McDonald's (4.3 miles)
• Marz Community Brewery (4.3 miles)
• Portillo's Hot Dogs (4.4 miles)

Hospitals

• John H Stroger Jr Hospital (3.3 miles)
• MacNeal Hospital (3.4 miles)
• University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (3.4 miles)
• Rush University Medical Center (3.6 miles)
• Loyola Outpatient Center (5.2 miles)
• Loyola University Medical Center (5.2 miles)
• Edward Hines, Jr Veterans Hospital (5.5 miles)

Physicians

• University of Illinois Mile Square Health Center: Near West Side (3.4 miles)

Cafes

• Blue Bottle Coffee (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (5.8 miles)
• Tiny Tapp & Cafe (5.8 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Webster Place (5.7 miles)