Twenty-five years after it first opened in Clarendon Hills, The Birches Assisted Living continues to thrive in its original location at 215 55th St.
When it was founded in 1999, assisted living was developing as an alternative to skilled nursing homes, said Jackie Sander, executive director and chief executive officer of The Birches.
“Our founder (James Curto, of Western Springs), having experience in healthcare hospitality, saw the need in our area and knew we could offer a better option for our neighbors,” she said. “Twenty-five years later, we still provide a beautiful home-like setting for older adults to enjoy their life with support as needed.”
One of the current residents is Connie Pettinger, 75, who moved into The Birches from Elmhurst a little over two years ago. She initially chose it largely because her son lives in Clarendon Hills. It was a great decision, she said.
“I was impressed when we looked at it by the overall concern and care by the people there, and it was 150% a great decision to come here,” Pettinger said. “The people who work here are genuinely interested in helping us.”
She said staff at The Birches is sensitive to the various needs of each resident.
“They’ll help you with whatever you need and also let you be as indecent as you want,” Pettinger said. “I never expected to be living in this type of place. I had been so independent, and the transition was hard to adjust to, but the people here understand that and have been very helpful with it.”
The goals of The Birches for its residents vary, depending on needs, Sander said.
“Some move in with goals to get physically stronger, so they can regain confidence, others move in to be more socially connected and not isolated at home,” she said. “Others are ready and craving for change.
“Whatever the goal, we always make sure they know this is their day and their choice. Your lifestyle choices throughout your day make an impact with how we age. We are here for support, and as a standalone community, we are flexible and get creative.”
Sander said The Birches offers 90 private apartments that vary between studios to two-bedroom units. Offerings include assisted living, including private parking spaces for residents who choose to bring their car, and a memory care area
“As we celebrate our 25th Anniversary, we are excited to be offering both traditional and modern apartment options with the flexibility to personalize for each resident moving in, so our community can continue to feel like home.” Sander said.
She said there is interaction between assisted living residents and those in the memory care area.
“Our residents make friends regardless of their physical and cognitive abilities here,” Sander said. “Our team is exceptional at supporting members to live in the environment that makes them most successful, whether it is living in an assisted living apartment or designated memory care apartment.”
The most important difference between the assisted living and memory care areas is related to the safety of those with memory loss, Sander said.
“Memory care environments are created to be simple, secure, higher-staffing levels, and structured, so it isn’t overwhelming for someone living with memory loss and to help them live their best day and be their best self with supervision based on need,” she said. “Those living in assisted living have the ability to come and go from the community at their will, without supervision, similar to any apartment complex.”
Sander said when moving into The Birches, new residents can expect personalized support prior to move-in, with full transparency related to services, support, and having any questions answered.
“After move in, you can expect to be greeted not only by Birches team members throughout the week, but by the neighbors who live here and are eager to show their new neighbor around,” she said. “They will introduce new members to other residents that live here, invite them to various groups based on interests, or at least knock on their door to check in until they get used to their home.”
Clarendon Hills has used “The Volunteer Village” as a slogan for as long as anyone can remember, and The Birches has its own brand of that.
“We have many residents who volunteer to be a supportive neighbor because they know how hard it may be to make this lifestyle change and try something new,” Sander said.
She said The Birches is the only certified Montessori Inspired Lifestyle community for senior living in Illinois, which is indicative of how important the culture is to The Birches.
Montessori Inspired Lifestyle is based on values of respect, dignity and equality. Its key principles are rooted in giving people choices and the opportunity to use their strengths instead of weaknesses, recognizing the individual for who they are, and enabling them to be the best person they can be.
“We are all aging, not just our residents,” Sander said. “As we age, the support and services we may need does not necessarily change, but the tools to provide a culture of support, growth, and collaboration do, especially with technology.”
Each year, administration and staff at The Birches evaluate what more can be done for residents, families, and team members to create a stronger connection and better experiences, Sander said.
During her 16-plus years working at The Birches, 10 years is the longest any resident has lived there, Sander said. The oldest current resident turned 105 this year.
“We have experienced multiple residents living here from the same family, and with our experience we always ask if they are good to be next door neighbors, or should we separate siblings by floor, and my personal favorite, sometimes generations within the same family,” Sander said.
She initially started working at The Birches in a part-time capacity, working as an assistant to Curto, who at the time was executive director. During her tenure, Sander has worked in almost every department.
“It continues to be a journey, and I am grateful to be a part of our continuous transformation to continue to create a senior living community that feels like home,” she said, adding that she works on-site full time.
“Every day doesn’t feel like work when you love what you do and you love the people you are surrounded with,” Sander said.
Being part of the Clarendon Hills community has always been important at The Birches and continues to be so, she said.
“They are very active in all community events and do a great job inviting people to some of the things they have going on,” Clarendon Hills Village Manager Zach Creer said. “They try to be inclusive for the rest of the town.”
Sander currently is president of the Clarendon Hills Chamber of Commerce and said the village has been a great place for The Birches.
“The Birches finds it extremely important to be a part of the community because in turn, the community is a part of us,” she said. “When we are integrated in the community, any major change that comes our way, we have the community around us to support us, just like any small business.”
And The Birches, as a business, is the only assisted living and memory care facility in Illinois that is locally owned and operated, Sander said.
“To be honest, it is extremely tough to be a standalone assisted living in Illinois today,” she said. “You may notice senior living companies being acquired often by other large corporations, change of key operational leaders throughout the year interrupting care standards to cut costs, or even most recently, a senior living business closing with no regard to quality. Our passion is to be a community resource.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.