Victory Centre of River Woods sits in Melrose Park, less than 15 miles from downtown Chicago, so it's easy to find and gets you the best of both quiet suburbs and big city resources if folks want them, and the place stands out as part of the Pathway to Living group, which has been working since 1997 to make life better for older adults by giving them supportive and affordable living with just enough help. The community runs with a controlled access system at the door and secure grounds, which means people feel safe, and because staff are around 24 hours a day, help is always close by if something comes up, day or night, which lets folks relax a bit. Here they really focus on helping people stay as healthy as possible with their VIVA! philosophy, which means activities for the mind, body, and spirit, so you'll see programs like Tai Chi, yoga, games, Bible study, brain exercises, book discussions, gardening, music, as well as community events, movie nights, outings, and holiday parties-something different just about every week, and they even have things like cooking club, painting, Wii bowling, magic lessons, and a resident music group for anybody who wants to be part of that. Folks can live in private studios or two-bedroom companion apartments that are big on storage, with each one coming with its own bathroom, kitchenette, full bath, and climate controls, and the building keeps things simple with an all-inclusive pricing setup, so people know what they'll be paying each month and don't have to worry about surprise bills.
Victory Centre is set up to help seniors who aren't able to live alone anymore and need some day-to-day help, with services covering assisted living, memory care for folks with Alzheimer's or dementia, and some independent living options, covering daily things like bathing, dressing, grooming, two-shower or toileting help if needed, and reminders for medication, along with more basic help like cooking, cleaning, laundry, and linen changes. Residents have easy access to an in-house clinic where nurses do health checks, monitor things like blood pressure and weight, and get folks connected to doctors, therapists, or hospice care when needed, which comes in handy, and a pharmacist checks drug interactions just to be sure there aren't any problems with medicines. You see a real sense of community with common rooms like the craft room, a sunroom, community dining, computer area, recreation spaces, library with computers, TV lounges, a fireplace in the gathering room, and even indoor and outdoor spaces for walking, gardening, or just relaxing outside, so people gather together often and don't feel isolated, and they even hold guest meals for visiting family or friends. The place is open to some pets, has both private and semi-private apartments, offers on-site parking, has free transportation, plus a bus line nearby, so folks can still get out and about without much trouble.
People appreciate the engaging programs thanks to things like VIVA! signature events and health and wellness programs that support a higher quality of life, whether it's something as simple as an arts and crafts project or as involved as field trips out into the city or holiday festivities, and there's an effort to get everybody involved so nobody feels left out. Victory Centre provides religious services, educational lectures, lifelong learning, VA benefits help, financial guidance, and even hosts a variety of clubs and activity groups, from gardening to storytime and poker games. The community accepts Medicaid, is State-licensed as a Supportive Living facility, and only supports services such as assisted living and memory care but doesn't offer skilled nursing care for major medical issues, so folks who need a different level of medical care may need something else, but there's a lot of care given for both general wellness and for residents with memory problems. All of this sits on grounds with an outdoor garden, patio, walking paths, barber salon, gym, and plenty of comfy gathering spots, and Victory Centre overall gets high marks from families for its friendly staff, regular activities, and a focus on dignity and connection as people move into this phase of life.
