The State of Illinois approved opening The Danish Home’s newly renovated Healthcare Suite just in time for Birgit Tyrrell to move her father into the northwest Chicago senior living community.
“When my father was in a previous nursing home, he never wanted to leave his bed and was miserable. Since the move to The Danish Home, the life has come back into him. He is eating well, playing bingo, and dining with other residents. He is happy, so I walk away from our visit happy, too!” said Ms. Tyrrell.
The dramatic change in Ms. Tyrrell’s father “Ike” is not uncommon when people move into The Danish Home. President and CEO Scott Swanson believes that their size, with a capacity of just over 40 people, their empathy for residents and their families, and a staff-to-resident ratio of 1:6 contribute to resident happiness.
“Residents live in a home where they can take a break from a spouse who needs more care, for a few hours, overnight, or several days, from an ailing spouse with little to no charge. Since the new healthcare rooms are adaptable, they are functional for both assisted and skilled nursing needs under the watchful eyes of our healthcare team,” said Swanson. He added that they often work with couples where one person needs more help than the other, and they find a way to make it work for them.
The seamless transition from Catered Living to the Healthcare Suites is by design. Swanson confides, “We are one family here, and preserving the dignity of each resident is important. Keeping the hallways, flooring, and furnishings the same as you enter the healthcare suite creates a seamless entry as you move from one area to another. There is also no difference in the dining room because all levels of care dine together for three meals a day.”
The new suites have large windows with bright southern views and stylish barn doors separating the living area from the bathrooms. Additional amenities include generous wardrobes and bathroom features fashioned after Danish communities with open showers, multiple water spouts, and plenty of room to move around. The white subway tile finishes make the bathrooms airy and bright.
Fortunately, the Danish Home is a not-for-profit community. All accommodations, including the new Healthcare Suite, are reasonably-priced but have that priceless sense of mission that creates a happy, healthy environment for seniors.
Founded in 1891, The Danish Home of Chicago is a privately financed and endowed not-for-profit providing a comfortable, dignified community for the elderly. For additional information, visit www.DanishHomeOfChicago.org or call 773-775-7383, option 4.