Symphony Evanston Healthcare

Pros

• The caregivers are friendly and professional, providing excellent service.
• The facility is clean and well-kept, ensuring a pleasant environment for residents.
• The recommendations from healthcare professionals highlight the quality of care provided at the facility.
• Overall experiences indicate satisfaction with the level of care offered to residents.

Cons

• The mother has been a resident for over a year, yet she is not receiving basic care and has had to hire an outside caregiver.
• There is mold around the baseboards and walls, indicating poor maintenance of the facility.
• Clothes often disappear, and dirty laundry can accumulate for weeks, contributing to unpleasant odors in her room.
• The temperature in the facility is consistently too high, despite having a temperature gauge installed.
• Nurses frequently appear disengaged, spending time on their phones instead of attending to residents' needs.
• Fresh water is often not available for residents.
• Overall conditions are described as horrendous and unsatisfactory for the mother's care.

Review

In the realm of senior care, experiences can vary dramatically, as illustrated by two contrasting reviews from families seeking assistance for their loved ones. One review conveys deep frustration and disappointment with the quality of care provided at a particular facility where a mother had been a resident for over a year. The author’s struggle to secure basic care for their mother underscores serious systemic issues within the establishment, highlighting insufficient support from staff responsible for daily personal hygiene and comfort.

The lack of essential services became painfully apparent when the family member took it upon themselves to hire a home health caregiver to ensure that their mother received basic care such as bathing, oral hygiene, changing soiled bedding, and providing diapers. This decision reflects not only the inadequacy of care provided by the facility but also emphasizes the emotional toll that these circumstances have taken on both the resident and her family. The writer's account paints a vivid picture of neglect: walls in the bathroom left uncleaned resulted in unpleasant odors lingering in her living space; mold formed around baseboards and walls; clothes went missing without explanation; and dirty laundry festered for weeks, contributing to an overall atmosphere that was far from conducive to well-being.

Temperature control within the facility further intensified concerns regarding comfort and quality of life. An environment maintained at nearly 85 degrees Fahrenheit is far beyond what most individuals would deem suitable. In an effort to alleviate some discomfort, family members installed fans—demonstrating both compassion and resourcefulness—but it is disheartening that such measures were necessary due to inadequate climate control practices on behalf of staff members who seemed preoccupied with distractions such as their phones rather than attending to residents’ needs.

Moreover, caregivers appeared absent or inattentive when fresh water was needed; this failure to provide even fundamental necessities raises alarm bells about general attentiveness within the team responsible for overseeing residents' welfare. This combination of negligence prompted significant concern from family members who believed they were paying not only for accommodation but also for attentiveness—a service they felt was woefully lacking.

In stark contrast stands another review praising a different facility where another family's needs were met exceptionally well. Referred by a hospice nurse when their father required interim care prior to more extensive support like hospice services, this residence has reportedly delivered exemplary service across multiple facets. The cleanliness and organization within the establishment seem noteworthy indicators of its commitment to providing an inviting environment. The caregivers are described as friendly and professional—attributes essential to creating rapport with residents and ensuring they feel valued during what can be difficult transitions into assisted living environments.

This juxtaposition between two vastly different experiences sheds light on crucial considerations families face when selecting appropriate long-term care options. While one family navigated an agonizing journey filled with frustrations concerning neglectful practices and high costs coupled with poor quality of life provisions, another found solace in a supportive community dedicated diligently to resident care. Families must embark on thorough research into potential facilities while weighing recommendations carefully against firsthand accounts—an endeavor that can ultimately distinguish between satisfactory senior living solutions versus those fraught with challenges that deepen stress during already trying times.

This area of Evanston, Illinois offers a variety of amenities and conveniences that may be appealing for senior living. With several cafes such as Starbucks and Little Beans Cafe nearby, there are plenty of options for socializing and enjoying a cup of coffee. Additionally, there are multiple pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy in close proximity, making it convenient to access necessary medications. The abundance of parks like Leahy Park and Centennial Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. For transportation, the CTA-Linden station is located within a reasonable distance for easy access to public transit. Nearby places of worship like the Baha'i House and hospitals such as Saint Francis Hospital offer spiritual support and healthcare services when needed. Restaurants like R Public House and Chick-Fil-A provide dining options for various tastes, while theaters such as AMC Village Crossing Theatre offer entertainment options. Overall, this area offers a blend of services and amenities that could contribute to a comfortable and fulfilling senior living experience.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.3 miles)
• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Little Beans Cafe (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)

Parks

• Leahy Park (0.6 miles)
• Centennial Park (0.6 miles)
• Dawes Park (0.7 miles)
• Dubkin Park (2.6 miles)
• Warren Park (3.6 miles)
• Clarkson Park (5.8 miles)
• Horner Park (6.4 miles)

Transportation

• CTA-Linden (1.4 miles)
• Cta (2.4 miles)
• CTA Jarvis (2.7 miles)
• Cta (6.2 miles)
• Cta (7 miles)
• Jefferson Park Bus Terminal (7.1 miles)
• Cta (7.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Baha'i House of Worship (1.4 miles)
• North Shore Congregation Israel (7.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Saint Francis Hospital (2 miles)
• Swedish Covenant Hospital Cancer Care (5.5 miles)
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (8.2 miles)

Restaurants

• R Public House (2.7 miles)
• Little Bad Wolf (4.9 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (5.3 miles)
• SoFo Tap (5.7 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (5.9 miles)
• Glenview Dairy Bar (6.4 miles)
• Superdawg Drive-In (6.6 miles)

Physicians

• North Shore Physicians Group (4.1 miles)
• Resurrection Medical Center Professional Building (8.2 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Village Crossing Theatre (5.2 miles)