Alden-Morrow Rehab Health Care in Chicago, IL

Pros

• The staff are nothing short of spectacular.
• The nursing staff is phenomenal.
• The admissions process is great, and the rehab/therapy teams are highly effective.
• The CNAs do a phenomenal job.
• The facility is clean, orderly, and welcoming.
• Families consistently express gratitude for the kind and compassionate care.
• Crystal Atsaves is a compassionate social worker who treats residents like family.
• The facility earns five-star ratings and strong recommendations.

Cons

• The facility is described as a house of horrors and should be investigated by Medicare and health departments.
• Residents are allegedly left sitting in urine and feces for hours.
• The place is called a zoo, with management described as clueless and staff on the phone gossiping instead of caring for patients.
• The majority of the staff are said not to care for the patients.
• The center is repeatedly described as short-staffed with little attention to residents' needs.
• Families report not being informed about serious events or deaths and receiving little support from staff.
• The food is described as terrible and cold.
• A nurse is accused of driving away good staff with a nasty attitude and unprofessional behavior.
• Some reviews claim residents were harmed or died due to deficiencies in care.

Review

Alden Northmoor Rehab Health Care is best suited for families seeking aggressive, well-coordinated rehabilitation and consistently compassionate bedside care for an elderly loved one who needs skilled nursing, short-term post-acute recovery, or long-term support. When a strong therapy program and attentive nursing matter more than every other detail, this community can deliver meaningful gains, especially in environments where the rehab team and front-line staff communicate well with families and implement a clear care plan. The facility's clean, hotel-like presentation and the frequent praise for admissions and therapy reinforce that this is a place where skilled care can translate into real progress.

Those who should consider alternatives are families that cannot tolerate persistent staffing gaps, uneven communication, or repeated reports of neglect. Several reviews describe delays in responsiveness, call bells going unanswered, and situations where weekend coverage or routine checks felt inconsistent. For loved ones who require rigorous infection control, predictable daily routines, or a governance structure with transparent accountability, other facilities with steadier staffing and stronger oversight may be safer bets. If trust in daily operations is nonnegotiable, a more meticulously managed option deserves serious consideration.

On the pro side, direct care stands out. The nursing staff, CNAs, and therapists are the backbone of what this community can achieve, with many families singing praises about attentive care, effective rehabilitation, and the sense that staff know residents' needs and respond with genuine concern. The environment is repeatedly described as clean and organized, and several residents benefit from dedicated team members who create a positive, engaging atmosphere. Standouts noted by families - staff members like Lucy, Crystal Atsaves, and CJ - illustrate what a cohesive, compassionate team can look like and how it can elevate a resident's experience and mood during recovery or long-term care.

Yet the darker threads cannot be ignored. A sizeable portion of reviews raise serious concerns about understaffing, inconsistent supervision, and gaps in operations that affect safety and dignity. Worrying reports include restlessness in hallways, delayed assistance, and problematic communication with families. There are also frequent critiques of management responsiveness, with a sense that issues are not escalated or resolved in a timely, satisfactory manner. In some accounts, families describe negative outcomes that sparked lasting mistrust, ranging from neglected needs to perceptions of neglectful care practices. The contrast between the best-case care and the worst-case experiences is sharp and real.

Balancing the pros and cons, the facility's rehab strengths can offset the drawbacks for families who are proactive partners in care. When therapy is the primary objective, a capable team can deliver tangible improvements, shorten hospital stays, and help loved ones regain independence. Clean, well-maintained surroundings and approachable frontline staff further reinforce a positive trajectory. However, the risk profile shifts if staffing remains stretched or leadership fails to close gaps quickly. Prospective residents should demand concrete data: shift-by-shift staffing ratios, rounds frequency, and a formal plan for addressing complaints, plus a clear path for ongoing family updates.

Bottom line: Alden Northmoor embodies a high-reward potential for rehab and compassionate bedside care, but it also carries meaningful reliability and governance concerns that can color the experience. It is a fit for families who can commit to vigilant oversight, prioritize aggressive therapy, and insist on consistent communication. For those who require rock-solid staffing consistency, transparent accountability, and uniformly reliable daily operations, alternatives with stronger governance and steadier performance deserve serious consideration. In the right circumstances, this community can be a launchpad to better function and dignity; in others, it may fall short of expectations and warrant exploring other options.

This part of Chicago, Illinois, offers a diverse range of amenities and services that could potentially make it a desirable location for senior living. With several parks like Washington Park and Burnham Park nearby, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and leisurely walks. There are also multiple hospitals and pharmacies in the vicinity, providing easy access to healthcare services. Additionally, there are various dining options ranging from casual eateries like McDonald's to neighborhood gems like Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar. The presence of public transportation options such as Metra and CTA stations allows for convenient travel within the city. Overall, this area offers a blend of recreational opportunities, healthcare facilities, and dining options that may appeal to seniors seeking a vibrant community to call home.

Parks

• Washington Park (0.8 miles)
• Promontory Point (2.2 miles)
• Burnham Park (2.3 miles)
• Wooded Island (2.3 miles)
• Osaka Garden (2.4 miles)
• Jackson Park (2.5 miles)
• Ping Tom Memorial Park (3.7 miles)

Transportation

• 59th st Junction (1.2 miles)
• Metra - 55th / 56th / 57th St (1.9 miles)
• CTA - Sox-35th Red (1.9 miles)
• CTA - Cermak-Chinatown (3.5 miles)
• Metra - LaSalle Street (4.9 miles)
• Van Buren Street Metra & South Shore Trains (5.1 miles)
• CTA - Clinton (5.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Comer Children's Hospital (1.3 miles)
• St Bernard Hospital (1.8 miles)
• University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (5.2 miles)
• Rush University Medical Center (5.5 miles)
• John H Stroger Jr Hospital (5.5 miles)
• Advocate Trinity Hospital (6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)

Physicians

• Illinois Eye Institute (2.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Marz Community Brewery (2.5 miles)
• Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar (2.8 miles)
• Leo's Den (2.9 miles)
• Fred & Jack's (3.3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.4 miles)
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (3.7 miles)
• Lil's Something Kool Cocktail Lounge (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Intelligentsia Coffee (5.6 miles)
• Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe (5.6 miles)
• Tiny Tapp & Cafe (5.7 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (5.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Philip Neri Parish (3.7 miles)