Margaret Manor Home North

Pros

• They love MADO Buena Park and find the people there very kind.
• They describe the community as excellent and kind-hearted, with a diverse group of residents.
• There is always something to do there, with daily activities and social interactions like printing meal menus and chatting with peers.
• One resident produced their first Impressionistic painting at MADO.
• Peers share computers running Debian with internet access, and YouTube music is enjoyed and therapeutic.

Cons

• They are fed up with the place.
• They wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
• They view it as unprofessional.
• The place is run down and there are no helpful activities, according to the reviewer.
• The reviewer states their dad's health declined there, leading to a transfer to a better facility.
• They found it scary to visit because it is a communal visiting area.
• They described having mentally ill patients staring at visitors, causing fear and distress.
• They say the pay and benefits are insufficient and there is a lack of staffing.
• They feel the pay doesn't compensate for the workload.

Review

There are a range of vivid experiences shared about MADO in Buena Park, capturing a tapestry of warmth, creativity, and community on one hand, and concern, frustration, and safety worries on the other. Several reviewers paint a picture of a place where people genuinely care about each other. They describe a supportive atmosphere where staff and peers are kind, and where daily routines can feel meaningful. In these accounts, the community is described as welcoming, with a sense that residents from varying backgrounds come together to build something together.

One reviewer emphasizes a strong sense of connection and purpose. They speak about printing meal menus every day, engaging in conversations with peers, and feeling content as they work toward a personal goal described as the "moving on program." There is a clear sense of pride in personal achievement and in the communal activities that keep a routine alive. The same person highlights their own talents and capabilities, noting involvement in arts - specifically an Impressionistic painting done at MADO - as well as interests in computer science and engineering. They even describe bringing Debian-based computers with internet access to share with peers, and remark that YouTube music becomes a therapeutic and enjoyable staple for the community. In short, for this reviewer, MADO is a platform where creativity, learning, and social connection can flourish.

Another thread of the narrative portrays a robust sense of community kindness and inclusivity. The description highlights "excellent people" and a "real kind heart" within a diverse group, emphasizing that there is "always something for me to do" and a general atmosphere of support and acceptance. The language suggests a belief in the potential of residents to contribute meaningfully, with opportunities to explore their talents and to participate in shared activities that enrich daily life. For these reviewers, the environment offers genuine human connection and a space where effort and positive experiences can be cultivated.

Yet, a different set of reviews presents a more troubling perspective. The facility is described as run down, with a sense that activities and programming are not well-supported or sufficiently meaningful for all residents. One commenter explicitly notes that, in their view, there are not enough helpful activities available, which contributed to a negative assessment of the overall experience. This critique is paired with a more personal and painful observation: a family member's health declined while under the care of the facility, leading to a difficult decision to transfer to a "better facility." The emotional weight of this account is reinforced by a sense of fear and discomfort about visiting, particularly in the communal visiting area where some visitors felt exposed to distressing situations involving other patients.

Privacy and safety concerns also surface in these reviews. The negative experiences describe visiting as scary and unsettling, with patients who appear distressed, staring, and moving about in ways that are described as alarming to loved ones. While one reviewer notes that there is someone monitoring the area, they call for a private space that would offer privacy and reduce the potential trauma for someone who has never been in a mental health facility. The tension between communal areas and the need for personal space is a central theme, highlighting how physical layout and privacy considerations can significantly impact the emotional experience of visitors and family members.

Financial and staffing issues emerge as another point of contention. One reviewer points to pay and benefits as insufficient to support the workload, suggesting that the staffing levels do not align with the demands of the work. This concern about compensation and resources adds another layer to the mixed impressions of MADO, signaling that even when there is effort and care, systemic constraints can undermine the overall experience for both staff and residents.

Taken together, the reviews present a nuanced portrait of MADO in Buena Park. For some people, the facility appears as a place of community, creativity, and personal growth - where meals are organized, talents are nurtured, and connections among peers are meaningful. For others, however, the place feels under-resourced and challenging, with run-down facilities, insufficient activities, privacy concerns, and staffing issues that can dampen the sense of safety and well-being. The truth, as reflected in these accounts, seems to lie in the complexity of individual experiences: the same environment that fosters art, learning, and supportive relationships can also fall short in ways that leave family members feeling unsettled and residents feeling unsupported.

If you're weighing experiences at this facility, it may help to consider what you most value in a residence or care setting. For some, a strong, inclusive community and opportunities to express creativity and learn new skills may define the experience in a positive light. For others, concerns about activity availability, privacy, safety in visiting areas, and the adequacy of staffing could color the overall impression more heavily. These perspectives underscore that no single review captures every aspect of life at MADO, and real experiences may vary widely from person to person.

This part of Chicago, Illinois is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood with a variety of amenities within close proximity. There are multiple Starbucks cafes, pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS, as well as easy access to public transportation through the CTA. The area also offers a selection of restaurants and entertainment options such as Cell Block and Murphy's Bleachers. For healthcare needs, there are hospitals like Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center nearby. Additionally, residents can enjoy the green spaces at parks like Hamlin Park and Horner Park for recreation opportunities. Overall, this neighborhood provides convenience and access to essential services for seniors looking to live in a lively urban setting.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.2 miles)
• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Mariano's Pharmacy (1.2 miles)

Transportation

• Cta (0.5 miles)
• Cta (0.9 miles)
• CTA - Belmont (1.4 miles)
• CTA - Fullerton (2.4 miles)
• CTA Jarvis (3.9 miles)
• Cta (4.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Cell Block (0.8 miles)
• Murphy's Bleachers (0.8 miles)
• Las Mananitas Mexican Restaurant (1 miles)
• Hydrate (1.1 miles)
• SoFo Tap (1.1 miles)
• Roscoe's (1.2 miles)
• Lucky Horse Shoe Lounge (1.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (1.6 miles)
• Swedish Covenant Hospital Cancer Care (2.6 miles)
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (4.7 miles)
• Saint Francis Hospital (4.7 miles)

Parks

• Hamlin Park (2.1 miles)
• Horner Park (2.3 miles)
• Wrightwood Park (2.3 miles)
• Churchill Field Park (3.4 miles)
• Churchill Field Park (3.4 miles)
• Warren Park (3.4 miles)
• Logan Boulevard (3.6 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Webster Place (2.7 miles)

Physicians

• Lincoln Park Dental Specialists (3 miles)