Citadel of Bourbonnais

Pros

• The overnight CNAs were described as the sweetest young ladies who truly cared, and the male nurse was a gentle giant.
• The facility is a good rehab facility with great staff who truly care about the residents.
• The building is clean, well-maintained, and welcoming, with a friendly and caring staff.
• The care team is wonderful, professional, and compassionate, treating residents with dignity and respect.
• A customer service manager checks in on patients and calls families daily to provide updates.
• Families express gratitude for the exceptional care and the warm, welcoming atmosphere.
• The staff are dedicated, friendly, and go to great lengths to make residents feel at home.
• The community is described as one large, caring family where staff remember residents' needs and preferences.
• The wound care team helps heal sores and improves residents' conditions.
• The food is good and activities are engaging, contributing to a positive experience.

Cons

• The reviewer called it the most horrible experience ever, saying their loved one suffered and no one cared.
• A reviewer warned others not to send a family member there, claiming they would regret it for the rest of their life and even mentioning a welfare check.
• There were claims of missing or stolen personal belongings, care described as horrible, and medical errors after admission.
• A reviewer alleged the administration allowed a POA to block family visits and failed to promptly notify the family about hospital transfers.
• There were reports of delays in care, such as finishing an IV at midnight and lacking a private bathroom sink.
• Several statements warned that the facility could be unsafe and advised against bringing loved ones there.

Review

What emerges from these notes is a complex portrait of a care community that many families hold in high regard for its compassion, cleanliness, and everyday warmth, while also revealing troubling episodes that left others distressed and wary. Across multiple encounters at Citadel of Bourbonnais, families frequently described the facility as a place where staff genuinely cared for residents, where the environment felt welcoming, and where rehabilitation, daily updates, and tailored attention made a real difference in people's lives. The stories speak of overnight CNAs who were "the sweetest young ladies" and a male nurse who was a "gentle giant," both praised for their kindness and attentiveness. In several accounts, staff members went above and beyond to respect residents' dignity, listen to families, and create moments of normalcy and comfort during difficult times.

A number of reviews highlight the rehab and therapy experience as a strong point. Nursing and therapy were lauded as wonderful and kind, with staff who treated residents with respect and engaged meaningfully with them. Families noted that the team worked hard to accommodate personal preferences - from helping a grandpa who liked snacks he would actually eat to assisting a grandpa who enjoyed walking the halls and talking with Activity Aids. The presence of a dedicated customer service manager who checked in, offered updates, and followed up with families was repeatedly mentioned as a reassuring touchstone. The overall atmosphere - clean, well-maintained facilities, a warm and welcoming feel, and meals that were described as good with varied options - helped create an environment where residents could feel at home and families could feel at ease.

Several reviews emphasize the human side of care. The staff were described as professional, well-trained, and genuinely kind and compassionate; they took time to listen and to engage with residents, treating them with dignity and respect. Family members spoke highly of staff who remembered who their loved ones were and what they preferred, whether it was ensuring a room stayed cool or that a bed sat at a height that made it easier for them to rest comfortably. In addition to receiving attentive medical and therapeutic care, residents benefited from a sense of community and belonging - an impression reinforced by comments about the administration's attentiveness to feedback and the overall atmosphere being welcoming to both residents and their families. Several reviews also singled out specific staff members by name for going the extra mile, underscoring the personal connections that sustained families during long stays or stressful health journeys.

End-of-life and palliative experiences - the most sensitive and emotionally charged moments - are described with a mix of tenderness and gratitude. One review recounts a situation at Our Lady of Victory where nurses, aides, and even a nutritionist knew the patient's needs and preferences from the moment care began, continuing to attend to concerns as her condition progressed. The Sisters' presence, regular check-ins, and practical gestures - such as offering coffee, snacks, and extra blankets - helped create a sense of support and peace for the patient and family during that challenging time. The care team's attentiveness in these moments offered comfort and reassurance, highlighting how the facility can provide not just medical care but compassionate companionship and spiritual support as well.

Despite many positive voices, several reviews raise serious concerns that cannot be ignored. Some families reported distressing experiences: in one case, a mother who entered Citadel in September 2024 and later deteriorated with alleged neglect, noting missed showers as protocol, lost body wash and medications, minimal food after transitioning to hospice, and a markedly shortened stay. Another review described a troubling dynamic where family members alleged attempts by the administration to restrict visitation, particularly when a sister served as POA, with claims of denied access and a lack of timely notification when the patient was transferred to hospital care. There were equally serious complaints about care quality, including reports of bedsores originating from a prior facility, staff shortages or delays in essential care, lost or stolen belongings, and unexplained injuries or medical errors that led some families to conclude that no stars should be given. Taken together, these accounts illustrate concerns about oversight, communication, and timely, transparent responses when problems arise.

The breadth of experiences also includes practical frustrations: some reviews mention issues with specific facility amenities or routines - such as the occasional delay in basic needs like room maintenance or IV-related matters - and one note described a lack of privacy or personal space in certain circumstances. There are references to negative outcomes, including a sense that family members were not always kept in the loop about medical decisions or hospital transfers, and to fears about medical or administrative decisions impinging on the opportunity for family participation. In sharp contrast to these concerns, other families describe a deeply engaged staff culture and a community-wide sense of family, where caregivers celebrate small victories, recognize residents as individuals, and model patience and kindness even during difficult days.

In the end, the reviews present a nuanced picture: Citadel of Bourbonnais, along with its Our Lady of Victory experiences, is a place where many residents and families found warmth, attentiveness, and genuine care. The staff's compassion, the cleanliness and upkeep of the facility, the strong rehab and therapy programs, and the proactive communication from administration stood out as hallmarks in numerous accounts. At the same time, there are a number of serious, firsthand reports about neglect, miscommunication, and operational shortcomings that resulted in deeply painful experiences for some families. Those looking at this facility would do well to weigh the consistently positive testimonies about everyday kindness, personalized attention, and a sense of community against the more alarming allegations of care gaps, visitation restrictions, and administrative lapses. Clear, proactive dialogue with the facility, attention to the specific needs and preferences of loved ones, and careful coordination with care teams and family representatives would be crucial for anyone considering Citadel of Bourbonnais or its Our Lady of Victory unit as a care option.

This part of Bourbonnais, Illinois offers a diverse range of amenities that cater to the needs of senior citizens. With several parks nearby, including Jurassic Park and Perry Farm Park Exploration Station, there are ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure. Additionally, there is a variety of dining options such as Taco Bell, Brick Stone Brewery, and Beggars Pizza for convenient meals. Healthcare services are easily accessible with various physicians' offices and pharmacies in close proximity, ensuring prompt medical attention when needed. Hospitals like Oak Surgical Institute and Riverside Medical Center are also located nearby for any healthcare emergencies. Furthermore, cafes like Starbucks offer a relaxed environment for socializing or enjoying a cup of coffee. Places of worship such as St Joseph Youth Ministry and Southern Baptist Convention provide spiritual fulfillment and community engagement for those seeking religious affiliations. Overall, this area in Bourbonnais combines convenience, healthcare accessibility, recreation options, dining choices, and spiritual support making it an attractive location for senior living.

Parks

• Jurassic Park (0.4 miles)
• Perry Farm Park Exploration Station (0.8 miles)
• Hawkins Park (1.3 miles)
• Bird's Park (2.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (0.5 miles)
• Brick Stone Brewery (0.8 miles)
• Beggars Pizza (0.8 miles)
• Jimmy John's (0.8 miles)
• El Burrito Loco (1 miles)
• Wendy's (1.1 miles)
• KFC (1.2 miles)

Physicians

• Brown Professional Centre (0.8 miles)
• Riverside Medical Group - Pediatric Specialists (0.8 miles)
• Avtar K. Razdan, MD (0.8 miles)
• Main Street Opticians (0.8 miles)
• Aashish Gandhi MD (0.8 miles)
• AccuQuest Hearing Centers (0.9 miles)
• Kankakee VA Outpatient Clinic (1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Riverview Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Riverside Family Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Da Vita (1 miles)
• Oak Surgical Institute (1.3 miles)
• Riverside Medical Center (2.2 miles)
• Provena St Mary's Hospital (2.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1 miles)
• Yolks & Berries (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Gathering Grounds Coffee Shop (2.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Joseph Youth Ministry (1.5 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (2.2 miles)
• First United Pentecostal Church (2.6 miles)
• God's Lighthouse Church (2.6 miles)