Central Nursing & Rehab

Pros

• What stood out the most was the sense of community.
• The staff here is very helpful and compassionate.
• This new leadership is making major positive changes.
• They're rebuilding the foundation with a focus on compassion, professionalism, and long-term quality.
• The facility is genuinely on the upswing.
• The new management team took over - they're absolutely kicking butt and taking names.

Cons

• The facility is deplorable; it smells before anyone enters and the staff do not care about the residents, and it should be shut down.
• The center is one of the worst places to be, with residents being dropped during therapy after begging not to stand.
• Breakfast is inconsistent and sometimes nothing is provided; meals are severely under delivered.
• Medications are mishandled, including reports of double-dosing and giving meds that belong to other residents.
• Basic supplies are lacking: there are not enough linens, towels, pillows, wipes, or diapers, and roaches are present; furniture is outdated.
• Residents are neglected, left in their own feces, clothes and blankets go missing, and staff are rude or unresponsive.
• The environment is dirty and roach- and mice-infested, with strong, unpleasant odors.
• Communication with families is poor, and safety concerns persist; action or shutdown is repeatedly called for.
• State oversight and management are criticized for allowing the facility to stay open.

Review

Central Nursing Home presents a landscape of stark contrasts, where voices of praise sit alongside long lists of grievances. Across the collective experiences, reviewers describe a facility that has seen both moments of genuine care and episodes of alarming neglect. Some residents and families voice appreciation for individuals who stood out in their care, while others recount conditions that sparked deep concern about safety, cleanliness, and basic respect. The thread that runs through many accounts is a sense that the place is in flux - some days brighter and more human, other days troubling enough to prompt talk of shutdown or drastic reform.

Several reviewers point to positive, meaningful encounters that center on personal attention and a revived sense of community. Mid and Doreen appear as standout figures in different reviews, with one reviewer naming Mid as delivering "VIP treatment" and another recounting how Doreen helped save a friend's life. Beyond individual staff members, there is a broader sense of a rehabilitative environment where staff from housekeeping to administration treated residents with respect and kindness, and where activities helped people engage with life in the facility. For families and residents who describe a period of improvement, the feeling is that the new management is staking a path toward compassion, professionalism, and sustained quality, with statements that the leadership is rebuilding the foundation rather than simply tweaking existing practices. When things click, the energy in the building is described as brighter and more focused on real patient needs, with a belief that the facility is moving in the right direction.

But those hopeful notes sit alongside reports of serious, systemic problems that ran deep enough to make even everyday routines feel unsafe or degrading. A number of reviews describe filthy conditions, roaches, and a smell that lingered in certain areas of the building. Some residents report insufficient linens, towels, pillows, and basic supplies, with accusations that essential items like wipes and diapers were not readily available. Food quality and preparation are criticized by several reviewers, who say meals were inadequately cooked or inconsistently provided, with accounts of skipped trays and a reliance on microwaved options. Medication management is a recurring source of alarm: instances of patients receiving the wrong medications, or being double-dosed, and admissions of lax attention to what pills were actually being given. One particularly troubling account describes an attempt to force a patient to stay against their will and claims of being told they had an infection, only for the story to reveal a broader pattern of miscommunication and control.

The most alarming narratives center on safety and transparency - or the lack thereof. One reviewer recounts being dropped during physical therapy after pleading not to be pushed to stand, with the implication that patient safety was not consistently prioritized. Another, recounting a 11-day period with a loved one at the facility, describes a room that was filthy on arrival and a rapid decline to malnutrition and dehydration, culminating in hospital care. The family narrative emphasizes a breakdown in communication - no timely updates, no calls to inform relatives, and a sense that advocates for the patients were hard to come by within the facility's walls. Across these accounts, staff shortage, insufficient communication, and a sense that residents' basic dignity could be compromised in a moment feel like recurring themes.

There is also a strong thread of accountability and calls for systemic change. Several reviewers argue that what they witnessed went beyond occasional mistakes and pointed toward ongoing neglect or mismanagement. Some reviewers explicitly call for the facility to be shut down, while others urge oversight from state authorities, including CMS and IDPH, and advocate for external monitoring to ensure improvements are meaningful and lasting. The language ranges from urgent pleas for better conditions to explicit threats of legal action or public escalation, underscoring the perceived severity of the problems described. Yet mixed with the calls for accountability are statements of hope that new leadership and a focus on long-term quality could yield real progress if supported by consistent, patient-centered practices and transparent communication.

Amid the turmoil, there are also notes from longtime residents who have found stability and positive routine within Central Nursing Home. One reviewer who has been a resident for four years praises a clean, comfortable room and daily housekeeping, along with compassionate staff and engaging activities that residents look forward to, such as horse racing games, cash bingo, incentive raffles, monthly birthday parties, karaoke, and weekend programming. This perspective highlights a version of the facility where the daily life of residents feels structured, purposeful, and inclusive, with staff who are attentive and supportive. It's a reminder that even in environments with serious criticisms, there are moments of genuine care, consistent routines, and a sense of community that can make a meaningful difference in a resident's quality of life.

Taken together, the reviews paint a complex portrait of Central Nursing Home. The facility is described as capable of delivering compassionate care and positive, life-affirming experiences, particularly under staff members who go the extra mile and under leadership that is publicly committed to reform. At the same time, the same walls contain harrowing anecdotes of neglect, safety concerns, and inconsistent care that threaten residents' well-being and erode trust. The overall message is not simply one of success or failure, but of a place in transition - one that has inspired hope and gratitude in some quarters while provoking fear and outrage in others. For families considering care for a loved one, the accounts suggest a need for careful scrutiny: observe the daily operations, seek out direct experiences with frontline staff, demand transparent communication, and weigh the potential for meaningful improvement against the very real concerns raised by others. As the facility continues to evolve, ongoing accountability and visible, sustained improvements will be essential to reconcile these divergent experiences into a consistently safe, respectful, and humane environment.

This area of Chicago, Illinois offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With a variety of restaurants including Culver's, Longman & Eagle, and Parson's Chicken & Fish within close proximity, residents can enjoy dining options to suit their tastes. Additionally, there are several parks nearby such as Portage Park and Humboldt Park where seniors can engage in outdoor activities and socialize with others. The area also boasts multiple pharmacies for convenient access to medication and healthcare needs. Transportation options like the CTA bus terminal at Jefferson Park provide easy mobility around the city. For medical care, there are reputable hospitals like Gottlieb Memorial Hospital and Loyola University Medical Center in the vicinity. Moreover, cafes like Starbucks offer cozy spaces for seniors to relax or meet with friends. With theaters such as Regal Webster Place nearby, seniors can also enjoy entertainment options in the area. Overall, this part of Chicago presents a vibrant and well-connected community that could be a suitable location for senior living.

Restaurants

• Culver's (2.1 miles)
• Longman & Eagle (3.1 miles)
• Parson's Chicken & Fish (3.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (4.6 miles)
• Big Star (4.7 miles)
• Portillo's Hot Dogs (5 miles)
• Superdawg Drive-In (5 miles)

Parks

• Portage Park (2.1 miles)
• The 606 — Western Terminus (2.5 miles)
• Unity Playlot Park (2.8 miles)
• Independence Park (2.8 miles)
• Logan Boulevard (3 miles)
• Palmer Square Park (3.3 miles)
• Humboldt Park (3.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)

Transportation

• Jefferson Park Bus Terminal (3.1 miles)
• Cta (3.1 miles)
• CTA - Kedzie-Homan (4.7 miles)
• Cta (5.8 miles)
• CTA - Fullerton (5.8 miles)
• CTA - Belmont (5.9 miles)
• Cta (6 miles)

Hospitals

• Gottlieb Memorial Hospital (4.1 miles)
• Loyola Medicine Transport (4.2 miles)
• Swedish Covenant Hospital Cancer Care (4.9 miles)
• Loyola University Medical Center (5.7 miles)
• Loyola Outpatient Center (5.9 miles)
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (5.9 miles)
• John H Stroger Jr Hospital (6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (5.3 miles)

Physicians

• Resurrection Medical Center Professional Building (5 miles)
• University of Illinois Mile Square Health Center: Near West Side (5.4 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Webster Place (5.2 miles)
• AMC Village Crossing Theatre (5.8 miles)