Overall sentiment: Reviews of Citadel at Casa Scalabrini are predominantly positive, with frequent praise for the staff, food, cleanliness, religious life, and sense of community. Many reviewers emphasize a warm, home-like atmosphere and repeatedly note that staff are compassionate, kind, and attentive. Family members often report clear communication and reassurance from caregivers, and several reviewers describe a smooth admissions process and welcoming resident committees that ease transition. The community’s Catholic identity — daily Mass, rosary services, presence of nuns and clergy, and two chapels on campus — is a consistent and appreciated feature for residents seeking a faith-based environment.
Staff and care quality: The majority of accounts highlight excellent direct care from nurses, CNAs and therapy staff. Specific physical therapists receive praise for producing mobility gains, and families credit staff with preserving dignity and providing prompt assistance. However, there is a noticeable minority of reports pointing to variability in responsiveness and clinical communication. Several reviews mention slow responses to calls, delays in medication dispensing, infrequent physician visibility, and poor handoffs of medical history. A small number of serious clinical incidents (for example, a mishandled reservation/visit and an emergency leading to 911) are documented, underscoring that while many families feel secure, there are occasional lapses with significant consequences. Reviewers also report that independent living does not include a formal medical program — on-site nursing and paid therapy are available, but IL residents needing more intensive medical oversight may find services limited.
Facilities and environment: Citadel at Casa Scalabrini is frequently described as clean, well cared-for, and attractive. Grounds, walking paths, greenhouse, pond, gazebo and arboretum-like landscaping receive repeated praise. Indoor public spaces such as the dining room, chapel(s), lobby and activity rooms are often called lovely and well maintained. Independent living apartments are characterized as functional and comfortable — many have small kitchens/kitchenettes, balconies/patios, adequate floor plans and in some cases renovated units upon move-in. Free laundry on each floor, reserved parking, 24/7 security and dog-friendly policies add practical convenience. That said, the campus has been described as older or traditional in style; some reviewers note dated decor, dim lighting, fewer elevators, limited indoor recreation space, occasional odors or pest sightings (ants near spilled food), and periodic housekeeping slowdowns. These facility concerns appear sporadic rather than pervasive, but they contribute to mixed impressions for some families.
Dining and activities: Dining is one of the stronger, frequently-cited positives. Multiple reviewers rave about the chef, plentiful portions, Italian cuisine options, restaurant-style menus, and special holiday meals. A minority describe food as institutional or inconsistent, but the majority sentiment is favorable. Activity programming is robust: residents report a wide array of offerings including exercise classes, chair stretches, bingo, arts and crafts, book clubs, trivia, outings to stores and the zoo, holiday entertainment, and social events. Several reviewers mention strong social engagement, welcome committees, resident councils, and many free activities that bolster social life and reduce isolation. During COVID, programming was limited at times, but the community’s proactive infection control earned praise.
Therapy, rehab and medical services: On-site physical and occupational therapy are available and are praised in many accounts for effective, hands-on care. However, there are also complaints that rehab sessions can be short or limited, and some families reported disappointing clinical outcomes despite therapy. Paid, add-on services (home care, additional therapy) are commonly used for residents who need more assistance. The independent living model means there is no embedded medical program for higher-acuity needs; some families noted delays in notifying clinicians about changes in condition, and others experienced communication breakdowns among nursing, therapy and families. In short, therapy quality is generally good and useful for many residents, but medical oversight and coordination can be inconsistent.
Management, communication and value: Admissions and move-in experiences are frequently described as smooth and unpressured, with professional sales and placement help. Many reviewers feel the cost is fair and competitive — numerous comments call the community affordable and a good value for what is offered. Nevertheless, concerns about long-term affordability under private-pay arrangements (one comment estimated funds lasting about seven years) appear in the feedback. Communication from staff is often applauded, yet there are recurring reports of inconsistent or poor communication in some instances (missed messages, ignored inquiries to nursing leadership, or uncommunicated changes), which occasionally escalated to serious incidents. A few reviewers note early changes after institutional transitions (e.g., ownership/management changes) that caused temporary bumps in service quality.
Patterns and recommendations: The dominant pattern is a warm, community-oriented independent living environment with strong religious programming, good food, attractive grounds, and a caring staff. The most common issues to watch are variability in clinical communication and responsiveness, limitations for higher-acuity residents (no formal IL medical program), and the mixed condition of an older building in places. Prospective residents and families should tour multiple times, meet nursing and therapy staff, ask specifically about medication administration processes, staff ratios, and how medical emergencies or clinical handoffs are handled. If a resident needs significant therapy or nursing oversight, families should verify the extent and frequency of on-site medical services and consider supplemental private care arrangements. For those seeking faith-centered, affordable independent living with active programming and well-kept grounds, Citadel at Casa Scalabrini consistently ranks highly among reviewers; for residents with complex medical needs or who require guaranteed rapid clinical responses, the variability documented in some reviews suggests caution and due diligence prior to moving in.
