Harbor House in Wheeling, Illinois is a senior living community focused exclusively on memory care services for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. As a memory-care-only facility, Harbor House is designed and staffed to accommodate residents with cognitive impairments. The community features secured buildings and outdoor walking paths, providing a safe environment that supports resident independence within protected boundaries. Personalized care plans are developed for each resident based on their unique cognitive and physical needs. The small, homelike setting encourages a strong sense of community and fosters personal connections between residents, staff, and families.
The core care model at Harbor House includes a range of medical and support services tailored for those experiencing memory loss. Comprehensive memory care is delivered by staff trained in dementia-specific best practices, including de-escalation techniques and engagement in activities suited for varying abilities. Harbor House is equipped to provide full assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, eating, dressing, and toileting. The facility offers incontinence care, ambulatory support for residents who may have mobility challenges, and specialized diabetic management. Medication management is available to ensure accurate administration and adherence to prescribed regimens. Medical professionals, including visiting optometrists and podiatrists, are available to address residents’ eye health and foot care. Harbor House also supports the language needs of Spanish-speaking residents.
Amenities at Harbor House are designed to enhance daily living and provide comfort. Residents have access to a barber and beauty salon on site, and benefit from physical environments adapted specifically for memory care, including secure outdoor walking paths. The community hosts social, recreational, and therapeutic clubs and activities that promote engagement and socialization; while most feedback highlights satisfaction with these programs, some families have commented on the desire for greater activity variety or expanded common-area amenities. Harbor House does not feature on-site chapels or libraries, and most accommodations are shared rooms.
Transportation services at Harbor House include complimentary options as well as transportation available for a fee. These services are available for both medical appointments and non-medical outings, allowing residents to attend healthcare visits and participate in community events beyond the facility as care needs permit.
Family and resident feedback consistently points to Harbor House’s attentive caregiving, its well-communicated dedication to safety and dignity, and its effective management of difficult dementia behaviors. The professional staff cultivate relationships with both residents and their families, and the community’s size allows for individualized and responsive support. Areas for improvement noted by reviewers include more extensive activities, more varied amenities, and Medicaid acceptance, but overall satisfaction levels regarding care quality and resident well-being remain high. There have been no significant operational changes or notable news about Harbor House as of June 2024.
Costs at this community start at $5,100 and range up to $5,600. The average price in the community is $5,350, which is less than the average price in the area of $5,541. The cost of memory care in this area is essentially the same as the cost throughout the state. If the resident needs other services, additional services may increase the monthly cost.
