Central Nursing & Rehab in Chicago, IL

Pros

• Mid helps a lot.
• Doreen saved a friend's life.
• Mid and Doreen are top of their game.
• There is a strong sense of community, with staff treating residents with respect and kindness.
• The staff at Central are passionate about what they do.
• The stay was great; Mid provided VIP treatment.
• Since the new management team took over, the energy is brighter and staff are more engaged.
• The new management is rebuilding the foundation with compassion, professionalism, and long-term quality.
• The administrator and staff are professional and compassionate, and residents are safe and well cared for.
• The therapy department is great.

Cons

• The facility is deplorable, with a smell that hits visitors before they enter, and the staff doesn't care about the residents.
• It is described as the worst nursing home, with reports of residents being dropped during therapy and dangerous medication errors.
• The place is roach-infested, lacking basic supplies like linens and towels, and is dirty and filthy.
• Residents are left in their own feces and belongings go missing, and the staff are awful.
• The administration is ineffective and should be replaced; the state should reprimand the facility.
• The staff are extremely rude and unhelpful, and communication with families is poor.
• The environment is dirty and unsafe, with broken furniture, persistent odors, and overall neglect.

Review

Central Nursing & Rehab in Chicago is best suited for families pursuing rehabilitation or long-term care where there is an active willingness to oversee a turning-around operation and to lean on a handful of consistently dedicated staff. The community likely works best for residents who crave a genuine sense of community and staff engagement, and for families prepared to stay engaged with leadership as the facility continues to rebuild. It is not a venue for those seeking a flawless environment, uniform outcomes, or hands-off management; the variability in experience is real, and outcomes hinge on leadership stability and daily vigilance.

Families should explicitly consider alternatives if cleanliness, predictable staffing, and reliable communication are non-negotiables. Several reviews flag persistently grim conditions: dirty rooms, odors, roaches, missing linens, and aging furnishings; reports of inconsistent food quality and even safety concerns with medication administration. For those who cannot tolerate the risk of abrupt lapses in care or unresponsive administration, a facility with a longer track record of steady operations and transparent oversight may be a safer first choice. Prospective buyers should prioritize inspections, recent CMS or state findings, and unfiltered conversations with current residents about day-to-day conditions.

The best-anchoring positives center on a real, improving leadership trajectory and the presence of caring staff in key roles. When management has been assertively focused on rebuilding, residents and families notice a brighter energy, more engaged nursing and therapy teams, and smoother day-to-day functioning. There are stories of standout individual performers - Mid and Doreen - delivering meaningful care and support, and a functioning rehabilitation and activity program that helps residents stay engaged and feel valued. For long-term residents who enjoy structured activities, dependable therapy, and a sense of community despite flaws elsewhere, these strengths can provide meaningful quality of life.

Yet the cons are substantial and frequently highlighted: chronic cleanliness issues, inconsistent linen and supply levels, and alarming anecdotes about medication errors or mismanagement. Several reviews describe rooms that are dirty or worn, roaches or bad odors, and staff that can appear overwhelmed or unresponsive. Communication gaps - especially with families and guardians - appear to be a recurring pain point, with reports of missed calls and delayed updates during critical times. The most troubling accounts describe rapid declines in health or safety during short stays and a sense that care decisions were not adequately explained or supported by administrators.

The balance between the positives and the negatives rests on leadership continuity and accountability. The narrative of a facility "on the upswing" is compelling for families who can commit to ongoing oversight, frequent visits, and a demand-for-improvement stance. The counter-narrative - loudly voiced by some families - remains credible: when oversight is lax, conditions deteriorate quickly, and residents pay the price in comfort, safety, and dignity. For families weighing this community, the prudent stance is to treat the improvements as ongoing commitments rather than guaranteed outcomes, and to verify that current leadership is not only talking about change but actively delivering it in staffing levels, cleanliness, and transparent communication.

In practical terms, a decision to proceed should include concrete, time-bound expectations: request a detailed, current operations plan from the administration; tour with a checklist focusing on cleanliness, room conditions, linen and supply availability, medication processes, and staffing ratios; speak with multiple staff members across shifts; and speak to several residents about daily life and responsiveness. Consider a short trial period if possible, with established milestones for improvements in housekeeping cadence, dining quality, and proactive family communication. If these assurances cannot be documented in a credible, up-to-date manner, alternative facilities with steadier performance should be prioritized. Central Nursing & Rehab offers potential for meaningful rehabilitation and compassionate care, but only for families prepared to insist on - and hold the facility to - concrete, sustained improvements.

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)