Brookdale Oak Park

Last week, I met with Lisa, the Sales Manager, regarding placement options for my father. That initial meeting, as well as a subsequent visit with my father, went smoothly. A nurse was then scheduled to conduct an assessment on Monday afternoon to determine whether independent or assisted living would be most appropriate. While I could not be present in person due to work obligations, I called in during the assessment to ensure I could provide support. My father answered the nurse’s questions to the best of his ability, and there were no indications of issues at that time. Following the assessment, Lisa informed me that an internal review would be conducted. Today, after sending a brief follow-up text to Lisa, I received a call from your Assistant Director. During this call, I was shocked by the tone and manner in which I was addressed. I was told, in a very agitated and dismissive way, that my father would be better suited for another facility, with no further explanation. When I pressed politely for clarification, I was refused any details, spoken to in a disrespectful and aggressive manner, and ultimately hung up on. This behavior is unacceptable from any staff member, let alone someone in a leadership position. My questions were reasonable: I simply wanted to understand why there had been a sudden change after positive earlier interactions. Instead, I was treated with hostility and given no professional courtesy. I am deeply concerned that the treatment my father and I received may have been influenced by bias. As an African American family, it is difficult not to draw this conclusion when no substantive explanation was provided for such abrupt and disrespectful behavior. While I understand if your team ultimately determines that Brookdale Oak Park is not the right fit for my father, there is no justification for unprofessional and dismissive treatment. Families seeking care for their loved ones deserve transparent communication, respect, and courtesy.

We absolutely LOVE Brookdale Oak Park for our Mom. She feels safe and so very well taken care of, while still retaining her independence. She loves the social activities available at Brookdale - games, choir, exercise, ceramics. And we love that there are medical professionals onsite, including physical therapy. The Brookdale staff goes above and beyond, and that means the world to Mom and to all of us!

Searching for senior living that would ease some of the burdens of aging, my wife and I chose Brookdale OP for nearby family and the vibrant Oak Park community. We moved in late January 2025, with staff efficiently enabling our move into our new high floor, 2 bdrm apt. From our first week here we’ve been very happy with Brookdale OP. It is everything we hoped for in independent senior living, comfortable physical setting, supportive staff, nice quality food service, and engaging activities. However, what we’ve discovered that makes Beooksale OP optimal for our goals and values is its community of accomplished and engaging residents.

Poor standard of care for residents. Staff allowed bed/pressure sores to develop because the resident was left to sit for prolonged periods of time in soiled diapers. They dropped the ball and ignored the Advocate doctor/wound nurse medical orders/instructions for follow-up wound care. NOTE: Open pressure sores can lead to sepsis, a life - threatening condition where the body has an extreme response to an infection . The degree of senior citizen neglect that takes place at this facility is unbelievable. Also, staff had problems issuing medications properly even after I provided them with a current list from the Doctor. Three months has passed and they still haven’t got it right. NOTE: A senior missing crucial medication can face severe consequences , including worsening chronic conditions, increase risk of heart attack or stroke , cognitive decline, hospitalization , and even death. Residents were forced to suffer in their cold rooms because the heat was not turned on in the building until October 20, 2025. In violation of the Village of Oak Park City ordinance.This place is a ball of mismanagement and confusion . This facility should be investigated by the State of Illinois human service authorities for operating without the sufficient amount of employees to properly service the resident population, for their inexcusable level of incompetence, negligence and elder abuse.