Barb City Manor Retirement Home in DeKalb, Illinois, sits in the old Joseph F. Glidden and Jacob F. Haish hospital building, which has been around since 1921 and you'll find it at 680 Haish Blvd in the 60115 area, close to neighborhoods like Pleasant Street and North 5th Ward, so it's right in town, and there's a walk score of 58, which means you can get around a bit without a car if you like, but you should know the transit score's 38, so there's a few options for buses and such but it's not the most convenient. Barb City Manor is a not-for-profit home, working to serve people age 62 and older who are ambulatory and in good health, trying to offer a safe, comfortable place to live where folks get meals, housekeeping, and a little staff help here and there if they need it, and they really focus on keeping things affordable for seniors with low or moderate incomes from DeKalb County. The place welcomes singles and couples, and the rooms include studios or one-bedrooms, and there's a restaurant-style dining room where they serve nutritious meals made from quality ingredients, with staff always trying to prepare food that tastes like home, plus you're able to come together with others at meal times if that's something you enjoy.
They've got a lot of basic comforts, so you'll find individually controlled heating and air conditioning, cable TV, Wi-Fi, private telephones, and even mailboxes and voicemail, which makes life a bit easier, and housekeeping and laundry services come every week. There's an emergency call system in each room, and staff are on duty 24 hours a day for help, which can mean bathing and toileting support, medication reminders, or even skilled nursing and wound care for those who need it, plus services like podiatry, occupational therapy, and transportation for appointments. Barb City Manor is proud to offer care for those living with memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer's, and if you need a little extra, the Hartwell House provides 24-hour care, health checks, medication monitoring, weekly housekeeping and linens, and help with daily activities.
For activities, there's a full social calendar put together by activity coordinators, with friendly staff often leading things like chapel services, arts and crafts, exercise classes like Body Recall, crossword hours, bingo, ice cream socials, birthday parties, craft circles, and game nights, and there's always a chance to make friends because they really try to foster a welcoming, warm environment where people are kind and respectful. You'll find lounges, sunrooms, a salon/barbershop, and a game or activities room, plus an exercise room for keeping active, and a dining hall where people meet to enjoy meals together. Barb City Manor offers both independent and assisted living, as well as home care and day care, and can provide memory care, respite care, and nursing home services if needed. The staff help people keep their independence as much as possible, tailoring care to each resident, and they work to make sure everyone feels safe and respected, with programs for physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
The building stays comfortable and safe, thanks to features like handicap accessibility, sprinkler systems, washers and dryers, and well-maintained grounds. Security comes from the emergency call systems and around-the-clock staff. Folks can join the Friends auxiliary, which helps with resident programs and the Resident Endowment Fund, and there's even an on-site ReSale Shop run by volunteers, with proceeds going towards activities and keeping things nice for everyone. The reviews are strong, with a high rating from residents and families, and it's known for its friendly, joyful staff and cheerful atmosphere. Barb City Manor seems determined to give seniors a good place to live that's affordable, safe, and supportive, letting people enjoy their retirement years with dignity, security, and a sense of community.
