Balmoral Care Center

    1101 Pembridge Dr, Lake Forest, IL, 60045
    2.6 · 8 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    • Memory care
    • Skilled nursing
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    2.0

    Caring staff but unethical administration

    I had a mixed experience. The nurses (especially Mary Carmen) and physical therapists were attentive, kind and did excellent rehab - the food and grounds are lovely. But admin is incompetent, billing felt unethical, and I experienced delays in pain meds and being left on the toilet; vaccines were given without my consent. The workout room is a joke, I argued with the staff who run it, and I was even kicked out for being too honest about the for-profit system. I'm grateful for the caregivers but warn others to be cautious.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Medication management

    Healthcare staffing

    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Housekeeping and linen services

    Transportation

    • Transportation arrangement
    • Transportation arrangement (non-medical)

    Community services

    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    2.63 · 8 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      3.4
    • Staff

      2.6
    • Meals

      4.5
    • Amenities

      3.5
    • Value

      1.0

    Pros

    • Attentive and caring nursing staff
    • High-quality physical therapy and rehab staff
    • Individual caregivers singled out by name (e.g., Mary Carmen)
    • Respectful and kind nurses and therapists
    • Good food and dining experience
    • Lovely surroundings and pleasant environment
    • Many staff highly recommended by families
    • Supportive and responsive direct-care staff

    Cons

    • Delay in administration of pain medication
    • Instances of patient neglect (e.g., left on toilet)
    • Reports of initial poor medical care
    • Inconsistent rehab experience — some say lacking
    • Workout room described as inadequate
    • Conflict with workout/activity staff and punitive responses
    • For‑profit system concerns
    • Billing issues and alleged unethical billing practices
    • Incompetent or unresponsive administrative staff
    • Allegations of vaccinations/medical actions without consent or head nurse directives

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment in these reviews is mixed but centers on a strong appreciation for front-line caregivers combined with serious concerns about management, administrative practices, and certain aspects of clinical care. Multiple reviewers praised the hands-on staff — nurses, physical therapists, and specific caregivers like Mary Carmen — as attentive, respectful, and compassionate. Several family members described high-quality therapy services and a welcoming physical environment (good food and lovely surroundings), and some strongly recommended the facility because of the direct-care teams responsiveness and kindness.

    At the same time, there are notable negative reports that contrast sharply with the positive experiences. A small but important set of reviews describe troubling clinical incidents: delays in administering pain medication, a patient left on the toilet, and more general statements of "poor medical care." These accounts indicate lapses in day-to-day nursing or medication processes for at least some residents. Additionally, while some reviewers praised rehabilitation as high quality, at least one review described rehab as lacking — suggesting variability in therapeutic outcomes or expectations.

    Administrative and organizational issues are a recurring theme. Multiple reviewers raise concerns about billing practices, describing billing issues, alleged unethical billing, and a general warning of "caveat emptor." Reviewers also criticized administrative competence and responsiveness. These complaints are compounded by characterization of the facility as part of a for-profit system, which some reviewers interpret as contributing to billing or prioritization problems. Such concerns about financial and administrative transparency are significant because they affect trust between families and the facility.

    There are also specific complaints about amenities and program management. The workout room is described disparagingly by at least one reviewer ("a joke"), and an interpersonal conflict with the person managing that space reportedly led to a resident being removed for being "too honest." This reflects potential issues with activity staff professionalism or enforcement of rules, and it raises concerns about how complaints or difficult conversations are handled by staff.

    A particularly serious allegation mentioned in the summaries is that vaccinations or medical actions were carried out without consent, reportedly under a "head nurse directive." This is a grave concern for families and potential residents; in these reviews it is presented as an allegation, and it contributes to an overall theme of distrust regarding some clinical and managerial decisions. Given the seriousness of such claims, prospective residents and families should seek direct clarification from the facility and request documentation of consent processes and medical policies.

    In sum, the dominant pattern is a facility with many dedicated and caring frontline staff who deliver excellent day-to-day care and therapy for many residents, paired with intermittent but consequential problems in clinical process, administrative transparency, billing, and management of programs/amenities. Experiences appear to vary by unit, staff on shift, or individual circumstances — some reviewers express high satisfaction and strong recommendations, while others report serious safety, consent, or financial concerns. Prospective residents and families would be well advised to meet with care staff, ask specific questions about medication administration procedures, consent policies, billing practices, and dispute resolution, and to verify the consistency of therapy programs and administrative responsiveness before deciding.

    Location

    Map showing location of Balmoral Care Center

    About Balmoral Care Center

    Balmoral Care Center sits at 1101 Pembridge Dr in Lake Forest, IL, and you'll find it on the campus of Lake Forest Place, operated by Presbyterian Homes, where there's a lot to notice if you look around, because it has 70 beds and provides skilled nursing care that's available around the clock with licensed staff and physicians on site, and people say the nurses are good, plus when thinking about safety and peace of mind, there are medical alert systems, medication dispensers, ID theft protection, and other features to help keep seniors secure both in and out of their own rooms. Balmoral Care Center holds a CCAC accreditation as a skilled nursing facility, which many will see as reassurance for quality standards when looking for elder care in Lake Forest, while residents get the chance to choose from different room layouts, and everyone has access to meals with many choices-food service here gets praised for being outstanding-and you'll also find a hair salon, a swimming pool, exercise equipment, and housekeeping services, so there's comfort taken into account. Pets are allowed, which is something many seniors care about, and there's no smoking allowed anywhere inside, whether in private or public areas, so the air tends to stay clean for everyone. You'll come across extended-stay nursing care, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and companion care, so seniors can move between care levels as their needs change, and that goes for those with disabilities or who want to age in place, because home care options, transportation, and caregiver support are available, with even hospice services for those who need that level of help. Balmoral gives rides at no extra cost, which means seniors can get to their appointments and back, and help with paying for care is offered through guides, resources, and information on affordable options, which families find useful when budgeting. Unique programs and terms are used here, and the staff focus on matching care types to each resident and their personal needs, so whether folks need help with basic health or with special services like incontinence care, there's an arrangement for that. The housing choices cover independent living, senior apartments, condos, and townhomes, so it isn't only about medical care-it's about having a home that fits how a senior wants to live, with as much independence as possible, though some residents do spend hours in their rooms alone at times, especially if they like their privacy. Balmoral has a 7.3 out of 10 community rating, second highest in Lake Forest, which says something about how it works for most people, but as with every place, the experience depends on what kind of care and environment a person is looking for, and more details on specific programs, services, and costs can be found on their website if families want to look further into what's offered at Balmoral Care Center.

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