Overall sentiment across the reviews is strongly positive, with repeated emphasis on compassionate, professional staff and a bright, attractive facility. Many reviewers explicitly say Riverside/Bourbonnais Grove was one of the best decisions they made for a loved one. Staff — from nurses to housekeeping, activities personnel, social workers, and admissions teams — are frequently described as kind, helpful, communicative, and caring. Multiple reviews cite high staff-to-resident attention, admissions help that eased transition stress, and staff who accommodate resident preferences (even specific food likes). The presence of an on-site social worker and engaged activities staff contributes to families feeling supported.
Care quality and medical services receive consistent praise. Reviewers report a true continuum of care with the ability to transition residents to higher-level skilled nursing when needed, plus a senior behavior health unit for more complex needs. Several reviews note on-site clinical resources — an internist, a neurologist, and a weekly optometrist — and mention upcoming dental services. Memory-care training for staff is noted, and many families feel memory care is attentive and individualized. These factors give reviewers confidence that clinical needs can be managed without always transferring residents off-site.
Physical plant and accommodations are repeatedly lauded. The community is described as gorgeous, bright, warm, and well maintained. Specific positive details include vaulted ceilings in some rooms, nice views, spacious studio-style apartments with separate living areas and small kitchenettes, and pleasant grounds and garden areas. Multiple reviewers compliment the newness or newer sections of the building and the overall layout, saying the facility feels modern and welcoming. Housekeeping and maintenance receive positive mentions as contributing to a clean, comfortable environment.
Dining and activities are prominent strengths in reviewer comments. Many families praise chef-prepared, restaurant-quality food with a rotating menu, multiple meal choices (often 4–5 options), and distinctive touches such as a wood-fired pizza oven and fresh-ingredient cooking. There are multiple dining venues and options praised by residents and families. The activities program is robust and varied: bingo, restaurant outings, shopping trips, musical events, exercise classes, weekly drives, cooking shows, holiday events (Halloween, Easter egg hunt), and amenities like an on-site hairdresser and physical therapy. Reviewers repeatedly cite residents being engaged, happy, and eating again after admission.
Alongside the positive themes, several recurring concerns and caveats appear. A number of reviewers reported operational issues to probe further: one family said their loved one fell on the first day and the facility was unable to arrange return transport, requiring the family to manage it. There are mentions of understaffing at times and at least one report that a resident's diabetic diet was not followed. A few reviewers said promises were not kept or that the memory care area felt institutional/hospital-like — in one case described as a deal-breaker. Another consistent practical limitation is that the community does not accept Medicaid (private pay only), which is important for prospective residents to know. Some prospective residents seeking a smaller, more intimate community noted that the overall size felt too large for their preference.
Recommendations based on review patterns: overall, Bourbonnais Grove / Riverside is highly regarded for staff compassion, cleanliness, engaging programming, and on-site clinical supports, offering good value in the private-pay market. Prospective families should verify details during a tour—specifically ask about the memory care environment (to assess if it feels institutional), current staffing ratios and how staffing is managed during absences, dietary accommodations (including diabetic meal plans), incident/transport protocols after falls or hospital discharges, and payer options (Medicaid acceptance). Given the mixed operational notes, consider multiple tours (including evenings/weekends if possible), speak with families of current residents, and confirm written policies on promises, admissions logistics, and medical service availability to ensure expectations align with experience.
