Short-Term Care Center
When you choose The Heathers as your short-term care center, your loved one steps into a real home, and they are welcomed into our small, single-family style houses in Lake in the Hills and Ringwood. Each home is designed for comfort, safety, and connection.
Many families use our short-term care center, which is located in two locations, to test out what resident life is like in our residential senior care homes. Your loved one can see what daily life feels like. Sometimes they love it so much that the short stay turns into a longer move.
LIFE LONG LEARNING
- Attend engaging presentations and discussions that match their interests
- Join in group conversations that spark memories and laughter
- Spend time with volunteers, including younger visitors, who bring new stories and energy
- These moments keep your loved one connected, making them feel like a community member during a short stay.
TECHNOLOGY-RICH
- You want a short-term care center that is both warm and well-organized.
- Digital tools that help the team track care in real time
- Communication systems that keep staff connected throughout the home
- A medical alert system that notifies staff right away if someone needs help
HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
- Care partners are trained to respond in emergencies
- Air quality is supported by advanced purification in the HVAC systems
- Full spectrum and natural lighting help support mood and daily rhythms
- Single-story, open layouts make it easier for seniors to move around safely
Memory Care
If your loved one has Alzheimer’s or another dementia, you may wonder how a short-term care center keeps them comfortable. At The Heathers, memory care is central to our , so short stays for those with memory loss are given special care.
Families from Lake in the Hills, Ringwood, Crystal Lake and McHenry often use our short-term care center as a gentle introduction to memory-focused residential senior care. You see how your loved one responds in a safe, supportive environment before making long-term decisions.
STATE LICENSING
- You deserve to know that your assisted living center meets and exceeds state standards.
- Senior care communities in Illinois are inspected and approved annually by the Illinois Department of Public Health, and The Heathers follows these rules closely.
- You know that because The Heathers provides memory care, there is an added layer of licensing and oversight from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
- Leaders and staff undergo dementia-specific training, which includes a minimum of 32 hours for those caring for residents with memory issues loss
Stimulating Environment
- You want your loved one to feel awake to life, not just passing time. In our assisted living center, the environment is designed to gently stimulate the senses.
- You will hear well-chosen music that brings back fond memories. You see your parent tap a foot, sing along or share a story that you have never heard before.
- You see cozy indoor areas for reading, games, or chatting. You also notice outdoor spaces with paths and seating for fresh air and sunshine, ensuring safety.
- When you visit from Crystal Lake, McHenry, Ringwood or Lake in the Hills, you feel like you are walking into a lively home, not a silent hallway.
SAFETY ADAPTATIONS
- You want freedom and safety to exist together. Here, safety is built into our assisted living center’s design, so your loved one can move about with confidence.
- Exterior doors are locked at all times with a delay function allowing care partners to respond if a resident tries to leave unsafely.
- You know monitored security cameras are present in public areas and on the grounds, recording activity to support safety and oversight.
- You see that furniture is chosen for comfort and ease of use, especially for residents whose mobility or balance has changed.
Purposeful Living
You do not want your loved one to feel like a visitor who just sits and waits for you to return. During a stay at our short-term care center, they are invited into purposeful living, which is at the heart of our residential senior care philosophy.
These everyday roles help your loved one feel needed and valued. They are not just a guest. They are part of the household.
