Aperion Care Forest Park

Pros

• The facility is nicely kept and very inviting, with beautiful grounds and landscape.
• The lobby staff are friendly and always greet visitors warmly at the door.
• The medical staff is knowledgeable and compassionate towards the residents.
• Physical therapists seem to do a good job and provide effective care.
• The rooms for the residents are very well maintained and comfortable.
• The amenities for residents, such as a movie theater, salon, and dining room, are impressive and enjoyable.
• Day-to-day staff members are friendly and create a pleasant atmosphere for residents.

Cons

• The administration and social worker support are ineffective, leading to frustration in getting necessary tasks completed.
• The relative received minimal assistance with walking during their stay, resulting in disappointment with the care.
• Staffing is inadequate, with only two nurses servicing an entire floor, causing concern over patient care.
• Some CNA's openly complain about their workload and have demonstrated impatience towards residents.
• The food quality is poor, with inappropriate options for seniors, prompting families to bring in additional meals.
• Despite a nice facility layout, there is a need for more experienced employees to enhance the quality of care.

Review

Aperion Care Forest Park has received a mixture of reviews from residents and their family members, highlighting both commendable aspects and significant areas for improvement. Visitors commonly praise the facility’s exterior appeal, describing it as nicely kept and inviting. The well-maintained grounds and landscaping create an environment that makes individuals feel comfortable approaching the premises. Additionally, the front desk staff are consistently recognized for their friendliness, offering warm greetings to both visitors and residents alike upon entry.

However, while the initial impressions may be positive, numerous accounts reveal that the internal workings of Aperion Care fall short of expectations. A recurring theme in the reviews is dissatisfaction with administration and social worker responsiveness. Multiple reviewers voiced frustration over missed medical appointments due to administrative inefficiencies, which has led at least one resident to seek prompt transition to another facility. This concern underscores a critical aspect of care that is deemed essential by families who want their loved ones to receive timely medical attention.

Care provided on a day-to-day basis seems to present a dichotomy; while many appreciate the dedication of the nursing staff—characterized as caring—there are alarming notes regarding severe understaffing. Reports indicate that sometimes only two nurses are available for an entire floor of patients, leading to concerns about adequate patient care. A lack of sufficient Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) compounds these issues further; some CNAs have been reported as openly vocalizing their grievances about workload stress in front of residents and families. Such behavior can create an uncomfortable atmosphere for those receiving care.

Despite these staffing challenges, there are positives noted within therapy programs specifically related to physical rehabilitation. One reviewer mentioned effective physical therapy sessions aimed at helping a relative regain mobility after illness; however, this was overshadowed by complaints about insufficient assistance in getting up and moving regularly during stays. The glaring discrepancy between available resources and patient needs raises questions about how effectively rehabilitation goals can be achieved under current conditions.

Food service appears to be another contentious point among reviewers. While some acknowledge the dining setup resembles cafeteria-style service—with trays brought out rather than individualized meals—many argue that the quality fails to meet satisfactory standards for seniors. Descriptions indicate that meal offerings are predominantly spicy or not suited for elderly tastes or dietary restrictions, leading caregivers to supplement meals with outside food options for their loved ones routinely.

On a more positive note, certain amenities within Aperion Care Forest Park are highlighted as impressive features worthy of mention—a movie theater for entertainment, a salon catering to both men and women, and an attractive communal dining area offer residents opportunities for engagement beyond basic care needs. Overall, while Aperion Care Forest Park presents itself as an appealing option in terms of aesthetics and initial impressions from its staff members, significant systemic issues related to administration efficiency, staff shortages, food quality concerns, and negative interactions with CNAs expose substantial shortcomings within its overall caregiving framework. Families seeking placement for loved ones must weigh these factors carefully against any perceived benefits before making decisions regarding long-term residence at this facility.

Located in Forest Park, Illinois, this area offers a variety of amenities and services suitable for senior living. With several popular restaurants nearby such as Portillo's Hot Dogs and Chick-Fil-A, residents have convenient dining options close to home. Additionally, there are multiple pharmacies within a short distance, including Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy, ensuring easy access to medication and healthcare supplies. For medical needs, there are several hospitals in the vicinity, such as Loyola University Medical Center and Edward Hines Jr Veterans Hospital. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the proximity to parks like Norfolk Park and Douglas Park for leisurely strolls or picnics. Transportation options include bus stops and the Chicago Midway International Airport for easy travel. The area also offers cafes like Starbucks for socializing with friends or enjoying a cup of coffee. Overall, this part of Forest Park provides a comfortable and convenient environment for seniors looking to settle down in a vibrant community with essential amenities nearby.

Restaurants

• Portillo's Hot Dogs (0.7 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (1.4 miles)
• Parson's Chicken & Fish (6.4 miles)
• Hooters (6.6 miles)
• The Barrel (6.7 miles)
• Culver's (6.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Loyola University Medical Center (1.6 miles)
• Loyola Outpatient Center (1.7 miles)
• Edward Hines, Jr Veterans Hospital (2 miles)
• Building 217, Hines VA Hospital (2 miles)
• MacNeal Hospital (2.3 miles)
• Gottlieb Memorial Hospital (3.7 miles)
• Loyola Medicine Transport (3.8 miles)

Parks

• Norfolk Park (3.7 miles)
• Wentworth Park (5.3 miles)
• Douglas Park (5.4 miles)
• The 606 — Western Terminus (5.5 miles)
• Humboldt Park (6 miles)
• Unity Playlot Park (6.5 miles)
• Bloomingdale Trail — The 606 (6.5 miles)

Transportation

• CTA - Kedzie-Homan (5 miles)
• Concourse B (6.2 miles)
• Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) (6.3 miles)
• Cta (6.4 miles)
• Atlantic Aviation (6.5 miles)
• Metra (7.2 miles)
• Cta (7.2 miles)

Physicians

• University of Illinois Mile Square Health Center: Near West Side (6.6 miles)
• All Star Pediatrics (7.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (7.6 miles)
• Starbucks (8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Oakbrook Center 12 (7.7 miles)