Covenant Village of Northbrook

Pros

• Covenant Village of Northbrook is a mainstay in the community.
• Covenant Village of Northbrook is a tremendous group of people.
• Residents and team members combine and collaborate to create a beautiful thing called community.
• The retirement community has all you need on campus, with friendly and helpful staff and residents.
• The facilities are nice.
• The community is amazing.
• The staff goes above and beyond daily to meet residents' needs and put a smile on their faces.
• The nurses and their assistants are always there, willing to help and empathizing with their residents.

Cons

• Covenant Living in Axelson Manor is said to fall short of the founder's standards, with staff turnover and salary concerns.
• The reviews claim inadequate daily meals, a lack of trained senior activity specialists, and non-stimulating activities that have remained unchanged for twenty years.
• Medical care is described as questionable, including delays or failures in reporting medical findings to residents.
• Direct communication with residents is reportedly replaced by rumor rather than transparent conversations.
• One reviewer states the facility is not a five-star home and is a disappointing place for residents.
• The work environment is portrayed as horrible for CNAs, who are overworked and overwhelmed, leading to delayed response to call lights.
• Families allege mismanagement and mistreatment, including missing jewelry and a sense that management prioritizes cost over resident welfare.

Review

Across Covenant Living communities and Covenant Village locations, experiences appear to run a wide gamut. Some residents and family members speak of warmth, faith-inspired mission, and the basic comforts of well-maintained facilities, while others describe a striking mismatch between promises and daily realities. The threads that tie the stories together often revolve around concerns about care quality, staffing levels, communication, and how the organizations balance finances with residents' well-being.

In the report from the Covenant Living facility in Axelson Manor, there is a persistent sense that the high standards once associated with the founder's vision have slipped. Reviewers point to a changeover of staff and questions about salaries, suggesting that these shifts have affected daily operations. Specific criticisms include a perceived decline in daily food offerings, a lack of trained senior activity specialists, and a sense that the mental activities offered to residents haven't evolved in decades. Medical care, particularly the way doctors report findings back to residents, is described as questionable. A recurring theme is the rumor-driven communication culture rather than direct, clear exchanges between staff and residents. The overall tone is one of disappointment that the facility, once thought to be five-star, may no longer meet those expectations.

Despite these criticisms, some reviewers acknowledge positive attributes at Covenant Living properties. Several comments highlight warm-hearted staff who genuinely care for the elderly, and they note nice facilities and on-site conveniences that support independent living and daily routines. There are mentions of a retirement community footprint with everything residents might need on campus and a general sense of friendliness among staff and residents alike. In other words, while there are serious concerns raised by some, there are also voices that emphasize hospitality, facility upkeep, and a supportive community atmosphere.

There is also a strongly negative perspective from a staff member who describes the work environment as stressful and under-resourced. The critique centers on CNAs being overworked and understaffed, leading to delayed responses to call lights and a sense that additional staffing would be required to deliver timely care. This viewpoint links employee morale and workload directly to the resident experience, arguing that underfunding for staffing translates into tangible frustration and lower quality of life for residents. The sentiment here is that the sustainability of compassionate care hinges on better staffing levels and fair compensation, rather than simply better intentions.

Another thread comes from a family member who reflects on a grandmother's move into Covenant Village and later into Covenant Living. Initially, the arrangement seemed promising, with care described as strong and staff as empathetic, but the narrative darkens as issues arise. After moving in, the reviewer documents daily complaints and a sense that financial considerations - such as meal plan charges and how care is billed - drive decisions more than resident comfort. The accusation that pain medication after hours is inconsistent or delayed adds to the impression of critical gaps in around-the-clock care. Amid the critique, however, the nursing staff are praised as a bright spot - dedicated, compassionate, and willing to help - yet this appreciation is tempered by concerns over what appears to be a broader misalignment between branding, promises, and actual practice. The reviewer even notes that the organization used to be Covenant Village and has since become Covenant Living, suggesting that changes in branding may have accompanied broader changes in practice.

Turning to Covenant Village of Northbrook, the tone shifts toward glowing praise from many angles. For some, CVON stands out as more than just a place to live; it is described as a true community where residents and staff collaborate to create a sense of belonging. The reviews here emphasize the faith-based mission and the daily efforts of staff to go above and beyond to meet residents' needs. A staff member describes their own sense of purpose and gratitude for being part of a faith-led operation, reinforcing a narrative that, at this location, the organization's values are actively lived day to day. Positive comments stress a welcoming atmosphere in which residents greet each other warmly and where one feels a genuine sense of community rather than a sterile, impersonal setting.

Even within the Northbrook context, the reviews do not paint an entirely uniform picture. One account, vivid in its contrast, recounts a transfer of grandparents from another Covenant location and the experience of dirty clothes, unbathed residents, misplaced jewelry, and a troubling response from staff that shifts blame onto the elderly resident. The reviewer frames this as an indictment of broader practices at play, suggesting neglect or mistreatment under the pressure of demand and lack of accountability. The message is uncompromising: despite the visible strengths of the community and the high monthly cost, there are real fears that residents can be preyed upon or let down when care lapses, and that trust can be broken in ways that are difficult to repair.

Taken together, these testimonials reveal two intertwined realities within Covenant Living and Covenant Village: moments of genuine warmth, community spirit, and faith-driven care, alongside troubling critiques about staffing, communications, and financial practices that can undermine resident well-being. Some communities are praised for their facilities and for a culture of kindness and purpose among staff, while others face serious accusations about after-hours care, patient advocacy, and the alignment between promises and actual service. The recurring cautions - about communication, staffing adequacy, pain management, and the ethical balance between care and cost - call for careful, direct engagement with each location. Prospective residents and families should visit facilities, ask precise questions about staffing ratios, hours of medication availability, fee structures, and how concerns are addressed, and seek out multiple sources of feedback to form a complete picture.

Located in the charming town of Northbrook, Illinois, this area offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors. With multiple pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS within close proximity, access to necessary medications and healthcare supplies is easily accessible. Glenbrook Hospital and NCH Northwest Community Hospital are nearby for any medical emergencies or routine check-ups. In terms of dining options, there are various restaurants ranging from fast food to upscale dining experiences like P.F. Chang's and Wildfire. For leisurely activities, residents can enjoy the numerous parks such as Briarwood Park and Lake Arlington, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, transportation options like Metra stations are available for easy travel around the area. Places of worship and theaters like Congregation Solel and Regal Lincolnshire & Imax offer spiritual fulfillment and entertainment options. Overall, this neighborhood in Northbrook provides a well-rounded living environment with convenient amenities for seniors to enjoy their golden years comfortably.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Glenbrook Hospital (1.7 miles)
• NCH Northwest Community Hospital (8.3 miles)

Physicians

• Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group (2.2 miles)
• NorthShore Medical Group (2.6 miles)
• Stuart Bergman-Bock MD - Northshore University Health Systems (6.3 miles)
• Ferber, Stuart Nch Buffalo Grove Outpatient Care Center (6.4 miles)
• Premier Eye Care & Surgery (7.6 miles)
• Physicians Cosmetic Institute (8.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (2.5 miles)
• Portillo's Hot Dogs (2.6 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• P.F. Chang's China Bistro (2.8 miles)
• Carson's Ribs, Steaks and Chops (2.8 miles)
• Wildfire (2.9 miles)
• J. Alexander’S Restaurant (3.1 miles)

Parks

• Briarwood Park (2.9 miles)
• South Park (3.2 miles)
• West Ridge Center (3.6 miles)
• Clarkson Park (3.6 miles)
• Sunset Park (5.2 miles)
• Lake Arlington (6.1 miles)
• Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve (7.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.3 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.2 miles)
• Starbucks (7.3 miles)
• Starbucks (7.4 miles)

Transportation

• Metra (3.6 miles)
• Metra (5.2 miles)
• Metra (7.6 miles)
• Metra (8.1 miles)
• CTA-Linden (8.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Congregation Solel (3.8 miles)
• North Shore Congregation Israel (5 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Lincolnshire & Imax (6.3 miles)
• AMC Village Crossing Theatre (8.4 miles)