Warren Barr North Shore/ Red Oaks of Highland Park

Pros

• The staff are caring, professional, and compassionate.
• The facility is clean, well-maintained, and has a warm, home-like atmosphere.
• Residents receive personalized, high-quality care in memory care and rehab.
• The therapy and activities programs are engaging, uplifting, and promote social connection.
• Communication with families is excellent and families feel involved in care decisions.
• CNAs, nurses, and other staff consistently go above and beyond to know residents and meet their needs.
• The staff are widely regarded as the best of the best, delivering outstanding care.
• The environment feels safe, peaceful, and conducive to healing.
• Care is delivered with dignity, respect, and warmth every day.
• The center is highly recommended for genuinely caring care.
• Standout staff members (e.g., Rikki, Diane) are recognized for exceptional, attentive service.
• The facility's renovations and modern amenities contribute to a comfortable stay.

Cons

• They were unable to reach their father for over an hour and were repeatedly transferred to non-working numbers.
• The night shift was described as the worst.

Review

Warren Barr North Shore and its associated units consistently emerge in these reviews as more than just a facility for rehab and memory care; they are described as a community where compassionate, professional care is the everyday standard and where families feel genuinely supported throughout difficult journeys. Across multiple locations - North Shore in Skokie, with mentions of the Arcadia unit, and experiences in Highland Park - the tone is one of deep appreciation for the people who make the care possible. Families repeatedly emphasize that the care they witnessed was not only technically proficient but also deeply humane, patient-centered, and focused on preserving dignity.

A central thread running through the feedback is the extraordinary impact of long-term, compassionate care in memory care settings. One family recounts how their loved one with an Alzheimer's diagnosis spent roughly six years in the Arcadia unit, and the sense of safety and attentiveness remained constant from the moment he was an elopement risk to the end of his life. The reviewer notes that the staff's kindness and professionalism provided reassurance to the heart of the family during visits, underscoring that Warren Barr felt like the safest, most nurturing place they could have chosen. This praise for memory care is paired with gratitude for the staff's unwavering care in challenging circumstances and for the emotional support they offered to loved ones as well.

What truly makes these facilities stand out, according to the reviewers, are the people who populate them. The staff are repeatedly described as professional, compassionate, and going above and beyond. Individual tributes are heartfelt: Rikki, praised not only for her bedside manner but for her every action "110% from the heart" and for being a favorite stylist whose warmth brightens days; Diane, a Nurse Practitioner, highlighted for her professionalism and genuine care; and Juan in Activities, whose department provides welcomed distractions that foster joy and daily purpose. The praise extends to the wider team of nurses, CNAs, and administrative staff, with comments such as "the staff are the best of the best" and recognition of the way every person contributes to a healing, respectful environment. Even those in housekeeping, such as Alima and Maria, receive thanks for helping patients feel cared for; Phina and Vinnie are singled out for their dependable, friendly support.

Beyond individual heroes, reviewers paint a picture of a facility that feels like a welcoming, home-like sanctuary. The environment is described as clean, well-maintained, and peaceful, with rooms that are modern, comfortable, and designed to support recovery and dignity. Several voices mention ADA-friendly features and ample parking, underscoring practical benefits that help families feel at ease. One reviewer even notes the setting as having a five-star hotel ambiance, praising the serene atmosphere, exquisite attention to detail, and the sense that the space itself contributes to a smoother healing process.

Communication and engagement with families emerge as a standout strength as well. Reviewers repeatedly mention being kept in the loop about care decisions, with staff taking the time to listen and tailor care to individual needs. The rehab therapies - physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other rehabilitative services - are described as thorough and effective, with many patients making tangible progress toward stability. Daily activities and social programs are highlighted as uplifting and engaging, helping residents smile, form new friendships, and feel a sense of normalcy and community. This combination of transparent communication and meaningful engagement appears to provide families with genuine peace of mind, reinforcing trust in the care team.

Location-specific notes add further texture to the overall impression. The North Shore facility is praised for its renovated, clean spaces and for its comprehensive services, including on-site physical therapy and even dialysis units in some contexts. The Highland Park site is described as equally commendable, with favorable remarks about the staff's warmth and attentiveness, the facility's cleanliness, and the personable, patient-focused care. In several entries, families name particular team members - such as Gea the social worker, Mathew and Anna the nurses, Jesus the restorative aide, and Vika the activity aide - as integral to their loved ones' positive experiences. The sense of a tight-knit, capable team working together to meet each resident's unique needs runs through many reviews.

While the overwhelmingly positive narratives dominate, there is a small acknowledgement of a hiccup in one account: a reviewer reported difficulty reaching their father by phone and encountered what they termed a non-working line and concerns about night staff. This stand-alone note contrasts with the abundant praise for care quality and staff dedication but is presented honestly as a moment of frustration amid otherwise strong experiences. Even so, the reviewer still credits Warren Barr with providing a safe, supportive environment and recognizes the overall excellence of the team when contact could be achieved.

In sum, the collective voice portrays Warren Barr North Shore and its associated units as more than a rehabilitation or memory-care provider; they are described as a trusted partner for families navigating difficult health journeys. The facility's combination of attentive, personalized care and a warm, clean, and well-organized environment creates a sense of security and hope. The reviews repeatedly conclude with unreserved recommendations, gratitude for the staff's compassion, and a promise to rely on Warren Barr's team for future needs. Special thanks are extended to many team members - Rasmey, Catherine, and a long list of clinicians, aides, and support staff - whose daily contributions translate into real, meaningful improvements in residents' lives. The overarching message is clear: Warren Barr North Shore and its network of care providers deliver exceptional, heartfelt care that families remember long after the early fears of rehabilitation or memory decline.

Restaurants

• Wendy's (0.3 miles)
• Michael's Chicago Style Red Hots (2 miles)
• Carson's Ribs, Steaks and Chops (3.2 miles)
• McDonald's (3.4 miles)
• Portillo's Hot Dogs (3.5 miles)
• Piero's Pizza (3.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (6 miles)
• Starbucks (8.3 miles)
• Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters (8.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)

Parks

• Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve (1.7 miles)
• Sunset Park (1.8 miles)
• West Ridge Center (2.9 miles)
• Briarwood Park (3.3 miles)
• South Park (3.4 miles)
• Century Park (7 miles)
• Clarkson Park (7.7 miles)

Transportation

• Metra (2.3 miles)
• Metra (2.5 miles)
• Metra (2.6 miles)
• Metra (6.3 miles)
• Metra (8.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Congregation Solel (3.4 miles)
• North Shore Congregation Israel (5.3 miles)
• United Methodist Church of Libertyville (8.6 miles)

Physicians

• NorthShore Medical Group (3.5 miles)
• Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group (3.9 miles)
• Stuart Bergman-Bock MD - Northshore University Health Systems (5 miles)
• North Suburban Medical Associates (5.4 miles)
• NorthShore University HealthSystem - GI & General Surgery (5.8 miles)
• Lake Shore Dermatology (6.9 miles)
• Illinois Bone & Joint Institute (6.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Lake Forest Hospital (3.8 miles)
• Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital (4 miles)
• Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (7.2 miles)
• Glenbrook Hospital (7.7 miles)
• Advocate Condell Medical Center Heart Scan (8 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Lincolnshire & Imax (5.3 miles)
• AMC Hawthorn 12 (6.6 miles)