Overall sentiment: The vast majority of reviews for Brookdale Glen Ellyn are strongly positive, with many reviewers explicitly recommending the community. The dominant themes are exceptional staff quality, abundant social programming, strong amenities, very good dining (often described as restaurant-style), and an immaculately maintained facility. Reviewers repeatedly highlight how staff know residents by name, provide personalized and compassionate care, and frequently go "above and beyond." Long-tenured employees and a family-like atmosphere are recurring compliments, and many families credit staff with smooth transitions, strong end-of-life/hospice support, and consistent check-ins.
Care quality and staff: Care and staff are the most frequently praised elements. Reports describe compassionate nurses, hardworking CNAs, attentive housekeeping (in most reviews), and proactive front-desk and marketing teams. Many accounts reference staff responsiveness to medical needs, medication assistance, careful showering assistance, and nurses/doctors who call families to explain care. There are multiple specific commendations for dementia and memory-supportive care (including examples of staff going above and beyond), hospice support, and thoughtful COVID-era measures. However, a minority of reviews cite inconsistent care — especially in assisted living — with concerns about short staffing, use of temporary agency staff, and isolated reports of poor dementia care or safety lapses. These mixed accounts suggest that while care is generally strong, some variability exists depending on timing, unit, or specific staff on duty.
Facilities, cleanliness and amenities: Brookdale Glen Ellyn is widely described as clean, modern, and well-appointed. Common areas, dining rooms, and hallways are often called "spotless" or "hotel-like." Amenities receiving frequent praise include the indoor pool and hot tub, fitness center (BeFit), water aerobics, library, game rooms, salon/spa, courtyard, terrace/balconies with park or wetlands views, and a café/store. Many residents value the bright, spacious apartments with large windows, efficient layouts, and natural light. Some negative notes: a minority of reviews reference older or small studios, dated kitchens in some units, or ongoing renovation causing inconvenience. Parking availability and access to the garage were occasional logistical complaints.
Dining and food services: Dining is a central selling point. Numerous reviews describe restaurant-style dining, a broad and varied menu, and dining management that solicits resident feedback via town halls. Popular items (notably soups and specific entrees) receive frequent praise. At the same time, several reviews indicate post-pandemic staffing challenges have affected meal consistency and that some families noticed a decline in dining quality or service intermittently. There are also mentions of extra charges for certain meals or a la carte dining fees, which have surprised some residents/families.
Activities, social life and transportation: Activity programming is robust and repeatedly lauded. Reviews cite daily live entertainment, musical performers, birthday events, art exhibits, book clubs, bridge, bocce, trips to museums and baseball games, mystery outings, and an active resident committee. Fitness classes, pool exercises, and social mixers are common, providing abundant opportunities to make friends and remain engaged. Transportation via community bus for appointments and outings is another positive repeatedly called out. A few reviewers noted limited social interaction for particular residents or curtailed activities during stricter COVID periods, but most describe a busy, sociable environment.
Management, communication and operations: Many reviewers applaud management responsiveness, transparent pandemic communication (in numerous positive accounts), and an effective move-in process aided by coordinators and welcome ambassadors. Several family members cited thoughtful outreach and smooth transitions from independent living or out-of-state moves. Conversely, reviews also reveal issues with inconsistent communication in some circumstances — including after lease signing, during specific transitions, or with follow-up on in-home care — and a few reports of unhelpful or brusque sales or leadership encounters. These mixed observations suggest generally strong leadership but with occasional lapses or variability across departments.
Cost, fees and contract issues: Cost and perceived value arise repeatedly. Many reviewers feel the community offers good value for the services, amenities, and care provided. Yet there are recurring concerns about high pricing, hidden or a la carte fees (e.g., extra meal charges, fees for linens or certain services), and stress around affordability. Families considering Brookdale should carefully review contract terms, included services, and additional charges.
Memory care and assisted living specifics: Several reviews praise dementia care staff and highlight excellent attention for cognitively impaired residents. At the same time, other reviews report poor handling of Alzheimer’s care, pressure to move residents to higher levels of care, and short-staffing within assisted living. Additionally, some reviewers noted that dedicated memory-care units are limited or not available, influencing whether Brookdale Glen Ellyn is a good match for someone with progressive memory needs. Prospective families should inquire specifically about the community's memory-care availability, staff ratios, and training.
COVID-era impacts: COVID-19 affected perceptions in multiple ways. Many reviewers commended Brookdale Glen Ellyn for strict safety measures, communication, and creative alternatives (meal delivery, window visits). Others expressed frustration with transparency, temporary activity suspensions, or inconsistencies between advertised programming and what occurred during stricter periods. Post-pandemic staffing shortages also contributed to some reports of service inconsistencies, especially around dining and assisted living.
Patterns and recommendation guidance: Aggregating all reviews yields a clear pattern: Brookdale Glen Ellyn is a well-resourced, activity-rich community with strong amenities and an overwhelmingly praised staff culture that creates a sense of safety and community for residents. Its strengths are best realized for residents seeking independent living or assisted living with active social programming, varied dining, and robust amenities. Caution points include cost transparency, potential variability in assisted-living or dementia-specific care at times, and occasional housekeeping/communication lapses. Visitors and families should: (1) tour multiple unit types to assess individual apartment condition and size, (2) ask detailed questions about included services versus a la carte fees, (3) confirm memory-care capacity and staffing ratios if relevant, (4) inquire about recent dining staffing and menu consistency, and (5) request examples of care escalation and family communication processes.
Bottom line: Reviews portray Brookdale Glen Ellyn as a warm, active, and well-maintained senior living community with exemplary, resident-focused staff and plentiful amenities. Most residents and families report improved quality of life, strong social connections, and peace of mind. While there are legitimate concerns around cost, occasional service inconsistencies, and memory-care coverage for some, the prevailing experience among reviewers is highly positive and many explicitly recommend the community.
