Bethany Retirement to Thorek Retirement Home

Daughter #11

My Mother has been a resident of Bethany Retirement Community since April, 2012. She needed more help than the cadre of caregivers, homemaker, friends, and family I'd assembled could provide. Two falls had resulted in the loss of sight in one eye and a broken hip. A Place for Mom suggested Bethany and its Marketing Director quickly set up a tour which impressed my husband. Later the Director and Head of Nursing visited my Mother, evaluated her, and patiently answered all of our questions. We, too, were impressed and scheduled our own tour, requesting assisted living services. We placed a deposit on a pleasant-but-smallish studio: a single sun-filled room with tiny 50's galley kitchen (the stove was intentionally disconnected for safety) and one generous closet. The dated bathroom had a tub and shower. Its windows faced west and the afternoon sun poured in. However, my Mom didn't wish to eat and sleep in the same room. So, we requested a one-bedroom apartment, and saw at least a half-dozen differently arranged units. Eventually, a lovely, East-facing apartment with a view of the garden and fountain was ours. The space--newly painted with brand new carpeting--has a galley kitchen: small sink, fridge, and microwave with two overhead cabinets. I think it had been two studios: it has two bathrooms and two good-sized closets. The building is older and does need refurbishing but it is maintained. Most importantly, the staff, the food, and the 24-hour care are all very good. Our complaints are quickly addressed and there's a real sense of community. Capacity is only 150 residents, and I believe that's "comfortable", not impersonal like some places I've visited.

Caring201973

I instantly liked this place, feeling as if I had walked into an architectural treasure rather than a retirement home. From the outside it is easy to miss because Bethany Retirement Community blends in with the rest of the neighborhood. Once you're inside the facility feels like an old hotel, and not in a bad, musty way. There are chandeliers in the the lobby along with a Baby Grand piano and a fountain. The dining room is simple, but lovely, with light green curtains that are draped in an old fashioned style. The best part were the apartments themselves. At least in the one unit I saw, there was a cozy living room and kitchen, but the great surprise was the bedroom -- it was huge, almost a studio in itself. If you are mobile, the Bethany offers a great deal on the premises. There is an arts and crafts room, a library with dark wood and a fireplace which houses books, magazines and computers. There is also a welcoming little coffee shop called the Behive. I have a feeling that there is a lot of Irish people who reside here because of all the St. Patrick's day decorations, but the residents seemed quite diverse. Outside there a lovely enclosed park which should be welcoming in the next couple of months. Around the corner is the Methodist Hospital and I am assuming there is some connection here. As I said, I liked this place and the staff were very friendly.

commercesd

While on a search to find a facility in which our uncle could live comfortably, we happened upon the Bethany Retirement Community. We liked that it is adjacent to a hospital, since our uncle has issues with his heart. Other than that, he needs minimal care, so the hospital is truly an added bonus for us. The nicely appointed park is somewhere that visitors and residents can take advantage of at least 3 seasons out of the year, which is nice, as well. Our uncle really enjoys the park and having this kind of access to a safe space is something he will really enjoy. He used to do a fair bit of gardening and had a vegetable garden in back of his home at one time, so the well-tended flowers did not go unnoticed by him. There were flowers throughout the facility, which really added to its charming décor. Our uncle at times needs to steady himself, but doesn't like to use a walker, so the installed railings at various points of the buildings were a welcome sight. The general rooms were all light with plenty of fresh air through open windows. The library, craft room, game room and auditorium could easily house many interesting activities. We saw some going on while there, and everyone seemed to be having a nice time. The studios and one bedrooms were quite spacious, in fact, surprisingly so. This could be due to the fact that the building is a bit older, when rooms were built to be more generous. The high ceilings were reminiscent of a church, but the congenial atmosphere made it seem very welcoming. The dining areas are spacious and very clean. The food we tried was nutritious and deliciously prepared. The food variety was average, but stil interesting enough to whet the palate. Each resident also has acces to number of eating times and choices, from fresh, healthy snacks to more formal dining. Our uncle's appetite fluctuates, and it is clear that he could get just about anything he wants, no matter what the time of day. This facility would be ideal for anyone who has limited physical or mental impairments. We did not see anyone who appeared to be in the advanced stages of dementia "“ and it appears that a person with that challenge would have a little harder time navigating the expansive premises by themselves. While it may be possible, it would require a higher level of care. The staff seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as the residents, which added to the nice vibe of the place. We could see that our uncle could have a nice life living there.

arjayeph

This facility is truly a hidden gem. A fairly mundane brick structure on a fairly busy Chicago thoroughfaire, it is quite easy, as did we, to completely underestimate this facility before exploring it. Though in a distinctly urban environment,the 170-person facility is adjacent (attached,actually) to a small hospital with which it shares its grounds, creating a well groomed park-like area to one side of the facility; there is also a well-manicured inner courtyard, which features plants and flowers tended to by the residents, and is viewable to several common areas- including the dining room- and many of the apartments. Because the structure was built mid-century as a retirement community, it lacks any particular architectural charm as well as certain more modern features, but it is extremely well maintained and thoughtfully designed as an assisted living facility. The halls are broad and airy, practically sloped where necessary and lined with functional railings throughout. The front lobby is large and airy, and has an adjacent community room featuring a fountain and view of the garden. This room is one of several well kept common areas, which include a spacious library, impeccably-kept craft room, a smaller and comfortable communal/game room on the second floor, and an expansive auditorium, complete with a permanent raised stage. The auditorium is used for everything from building-wide celebrations to entertainment from and for the residents. Despite the facility's size and amenities, there is a genuine sense of community and warmth that larger facilities often lack Though the large and open main dining area was a bit institutional due to its large size and higher ceilings, it is bright and clean. Meals are orderd from a fairly conventional daily menu, which includes two daily selections at each meal, plus a choice of always-available standby items. If one prefers, they are welcome to eat in the smaller dining areas available on each floor (there are six residential floors) or in their room if the mood strikes. The staff was very personable, and the overall demeanor of the place was very upbeat. The list of available activities is varied and extensive and, unlike at other facilities, many are adaptable to the varying levels of competency among the residents. Though this facility is pleasant on any level, what makes it such a true gem is its value. The rates are as low as we've encountered at any quality facilty- starting around $1600/month for those not needing of any particular personal caregiving, and WELL under $3000 for those who do require basic assistance with daily activities. While these rates are low in comparison to comparable facilties, better still is the fact that the individual residences at these prices are CONSIDERABLY more spacious than any we've encountered to this point. The options include several sizes of "studio" and one-bedrooms, as well as some two bedrooms. We were shown a studio described as one of their smallest, and it was larger than almost any studio/kitchenette unit we've seen. The same went for the one-bedroom, which was dramatically less expensive than those in other facilities offering them. Though we feel that this facility merits the highest recommendation for those still capable of independent living or in need of basic assistance, it is not necessarily ideal for those who are already considerably impaired either physically or mentally. Though temporary physical impairments can easily be accommodated and additional caregivers can be brought in, neither the staff nor the facility is set up to provide continuous nursing care. For those suffering with dementia, they do have a "Savvy Circle" program with activities and care dedicated their specific needs. However comprehensive this program might be, though, it is difficult to see how a resident suffering from more advanced dementia would be able to navigate the premises without endangering or confusing themselves. In summary, this is an ideal selection for anyone still in possession of most of their faculties, especially if someone is forced to weigh costs against the quality of care. For those already requiring numerous daily care interventions, the environment here might be a bit daunting.