MyLivingChoice

The Admiral at the Lake

929 W Foster Ave

3.9(49 ratings)· Chicago average: 3.9

The Admiral at the Lake, photo 11 / 13

Quick Facts

Medicare rating
3 of 5

CMS Care Compare

Ownership
Non profit, Other
Certified beds
36
Affiliation
Nonprofit community with Quaker heritage and values
Transportation
Free shuttle bus service to downtown Michigan Avenue

What Families Think

Reviews for The Admiral at the Lake are sharply split: many independent living residents rave about the lakeside setting, active social calendar, and warm community culture, while several families of assisted living and memory care residents (in "The Harbors") describe serious care lapses, high staff turnover, and poor communication. The gap between the two experiences is the dominant theme across both Google and Yelp reviews.

The Good

  • Stunning lakefront views and grounds
  • Deep, active social life and daily activities
  • Continuing care allows aging in place
  • Quaker-rooted, nonprofit resident-driven culture
  • Convenient shuttle bus into downtown Chicago
  • On-site medical staff and 24-hour staffing

The Bad

  • Multiple reports of neglect and poor training in the Harbors (assisted living/memory care)
  • Several mentions of high staff turnover and inconsistent care quality
  • One report of involuntary discharge with little communication to family
  • One report of unsanitary conditions (cold food, infrequent hygiene care)

AI-generated from reviews and community data.

The Admiral at the Lake is a senior living community in Chicago, Illinois offering Assisted Living, Memory Care and Independent Living. Amenities include Professional Chef, Outdoor Patio and Fitness Center. Families rate it 4.2 out of 5 across 38 reviews.

About The Admiral at the Lake

City Left, Nature Right

Step out your door to acres of beautiful parkland, the beach, and the lake’s shore.

Look the other way and Chicago surrounds you The stunning skyline, vibrant neighborhoods, and the cultural depth few other cities offer.

Independent Living

You're connected to the world around you, part of the city and nature. From golden sunsets on a terrace to a resident’s art show with a glass of wine, your senses are engaged.

Custom Homes

Spacious modern apartments in the heart of our amazing city. Supported by services and an expert team, so you can focus on enjoying your life. Choose from 45 different floor plans that you can customize and create the perfect home. From expansive three bedrooms to surprisingly attainable one bedroom.

Tower & Garden Residences

The Admiral is a beautiful custom residence with the amenities of a fine hotel supported by an expert team. We are an engaged community of friends and neighbors. We are non-profit and resident-driven, and constantly evolving based on the lives our residents want.

A Better Life

Independence is about freedom. The freedom to focus on your life, released from many of life’s competing priorities and hassles. Here at The Admiral at the Lake, your time can be focused on the people and things you love.

Our Sales Residency Counselors are here to help!

Your daily wants & needs included.

•    Fully equipped kitchens
•    Private patio or balcony
•    Accessible bathrooms
•    Washer and dryer
•    On-site storage
•    Interior and exterior maintenance
•    24hr emergency response system
•    Security of buildings and grounds
•    Controlled entry access
•    Cable TV
•    Housekeeping
•    Multiple zone heating
•    Air-conditioning
•    Electric and water
•    Wireless, high-speed internet

Assisted Living

A Home to Share

Beautiful garden terraces with stunning lake views and well-appointed gathering rooms are perfect for activities or casual family visits.

Private dining rooms on each floor allow neighbors to connect and get personalized care. Or they can go to the Bistro for a snack, or enjoy dining at our superb Waterfront main dining room.

Engaged Living With Assistance Always at Hand

At The Harbors, those needing a helping hand with daily activities can find the kind of fulfillment that only comes from a warm, home-like environment. Rather than caregivers, The Harbors staff members are care partners, working together with residents and families to learn what matters most to each of the individuals we serve.

As a continuing care retirement community, The Harbors eases transitions from one level of living to another. As needs change, residents have access to higher levels for comprehensive, uninterrupted service inside a familiar environment with people they know and trust. If care is needed, it's only a few steps away.

Living Options

Spacious private residences, first-class amenities, and genuine hospitality, for a resident-driven culture where participation is valued and care, are customized to meet the changing needs and preferences of every individual.

Memory Support

Feeling Safe & Connected

An engaging environment and care plans unique to each individual create a safe and positive experience for each resident.

Residents are always sharing experiences with our team, family, and friends that help keep them connected. Private dining and living rooms on each floor allow for friendship and interaction in a secure space.

Expertise & Surroundings

Science & Compassion

By taking the time to know each of our residents and their families personally, we understand how Alzheimer's Disease and other types of dementia affect each resident differently.  Our care plans make residents feel at home and ensure their safety and security.

Years of experience, advanced degrees, and specialized credentials inform innovative solutions to memory support. This passion attracts like-minded memory care professionals who thrive on combining the science of the brain with the art of compassionate care.

Memory Support is specialized care and differs from skilled nursing. People suffering from memory loss issues, dementia, or Alzheimer's get unique care and support.

Connection by Design

Our memory support neighborhood is designed to enrich residents Lives by promoting choice and evoking pleasant memories through familiar schedules and surroundings.

Throughout the day, together, we explore opportunities in engaging spaces, like our creative arts studio and outdoor garden with spectacular views of the Chicago skyline. These kinds of activities provide continued connections to the world around us.

Skilled Nursing

Treating the Whole Person

Skilled nursing is a version of Assisted Living, with extra care. Highly trained nurses and medical staff provide treatment and the assistance you need to be better and feel better.

There are many options across The Admiral that support your care and help make you feel at home. We are focused on the whole person and helping them be their best.

Excellence in Skilled Care

You are welcomed by the licensed skilled nursing staff at The Harbors. In addition to state-of-the-art care, we believe that providing a warm, homelike setting and opportunities for social interaction and familiar daily schedules are important for promoting wellness.

By creating opportunities with families, we build relationships that bridge the gap between caregiver and resident  Forging a new kind of neighborhood where a person’s interests and experiences define them, not their care needs.

Types of Care at The Admiral at the Lake

Assisted LivingHome Health and HospiceIndependent LivingMemory CareSkilled Nursing / Long Term Care

Amenities

Room Amenities

  • Multiple Floor Plans
  • Private Rooms
  • Wi-Fi / High-Speed Internet

Meals & Dining

  • Dietary Accommodations (Gluten-Free, Low / No Sodium, No Sugar, Vegan)
  • Professional Chef

Community Amenities

  • 24-Hour Staff
  • Fitness Center
  • Gathering / Activity Spaces
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry Service
  • Medication Management
  • On-Site Medical Staff
  • Outdoor Patio
  • Pet Friendly
  • Salon / Barber
  • Transportation Services
  • Walking Paths

Activities

  • Social Activities (Happy Hour, Wine Tasting, Dances, Karaoke)

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Reviews of The Admiral at the Lake

3.9overall · 49 ratings combined

4.2★ on Google (38) · 2.9★ on Yelp (11) · Yelp page ↗

Dinah Shaw

Jun 2026

via Google

I agree with the other people about Harbor residence.<br>My sister been there for two and a half months.<br>She was given cold food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.<br>When I reported it, they served her two hot meals on different days different weeks. The staff gave her wet wipes so she can clean herself. (Face, body, private parts.)<br>They washed her hair twice since she been there.<br>For the first 2 weeks she had to sleep with all the lights on 24/7.<br>Physical therapist doing their job just fine.

Gail Ann Duberchin

Feb 2026

via Google

The views are gorgeous. Wonderful staff.

Honey David

Jan 2026

via Google

A fancy place to live but very poor service specially in the Harbor Building. Residents are being neglected. Workers need more training on proper care and to care with compassion.

K

Kate D.

Aug 2025

via Yelp

I give zero stars. A new resident in their memory care unit was essentially bullied out. Too regimented and rigid for residents with cognitive decline and no person-centered care at all. Shameful that their ONLY advisement is to prescribe meds so they are not functional since I guess it would be too much work for the staff there. No compassionate care and everything was this resident's fault it seemed. I will not divulge the rest of the sordid details, but I am aghast at the indifference and borderline neglect regarding this community's services. Especially pertaining to a specialized ward such as Memory Care. SHAME!!!!!!

Tamika Deckard

Aug 2025

via Google

This Community living facility is beautiful<br><br>I told my children when I retire I would love to move here

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Government Inspection History

4 inspection visits in the last three years, 41 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Mar 5, 2026Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard10 citations
  • Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 26, 2026

  • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 19, 2026

  • Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 19, 2026

  • Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 26, 2026

  • Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 24, 2026

  • Have stairways and smokeproof enclosures used as exits that meet safety requirements.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 18, 2026

  • Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 19, 2026

  • Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 19, 2026

  • Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 19, 2026

  • Post nurse staffing information every day.

    Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 19, 2026

Jun 6, 2025Health Complaint2 citations
  • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

    Severity G of L: actual harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 26, 2025

  • Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 26, 2025

Jan 24, 2025Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard15 citations
  • Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 7, 2025

  • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 7, 2025

  • Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 7, 2025

  • Have elevators that firefighters can control in the event of a fire.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 7, 2025

  • Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 28, 2025

  • Conduct testing and exercise requirements.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 7, 2025

  • Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 7, 2025

  • Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 7, 2025

  • Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Feb 7, 2025

  • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Feb 7, 2025

  • Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 7, 2025

  • Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 7, 2025

  • Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 7, 2025

  • Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.

    Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 7, 2025

  • Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.

    Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 7, 2025

Feb 9, 2024Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard14 citations
  • Have elevators that firefighters can control in the event of a fire.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 1, 2024

  • Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 1, 2024

  • Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 1, 2024

  • Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 1, 2024

  • Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 1, 2024

  • Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 1, 2024

  • Ensure that corridors are separated from use areas by walls constructed to limit the passage of smoke.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 1, 2024

  • Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 1, 2024

  • Have a policy regarding use and storage of foods brought to residents by family and other visitors.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 1, 2024

  • Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 1, 2024

  • Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 1, 2024

  • Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 1, 2024

  • Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 1, 2024

  • Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 1, 2024

Source: CMS Care Compare, public federal data covering certified nursing facilities, refreshed monthly. Citations range from A (least serious) to L (most serious) on the federal scope and severity scale. Most citations are corrected quickly; review the details and ask the community about anything that concerns you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of care does The Admiral at the Lake offer?

The Admiral at the Lake offers Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.

How much does The Admiral at the Lake cost?

The Admiral at the Lake has not published its pricing. For context, communities in Chicago that publish rates start around $1,059 per month at the median. Final costs depend on care needs and apartment selection, so contact the community for a quote.

Is The Admiral at the Lake pet friendly?

Yes. The Admiral at the Lake lists pet-friendly accommodations among its amenities. Ask about any size or breed policies when you visit.

Where is The Admiral at the Lake located?

The Admiral at the Lake is located at 929 W Foster Ave in Chicago, Illinois.

What do families say about The Admiral at the Lake?

Reviews for The Admiral at the Lake are sharply split: many independent living residents rave about the lakeside setting, active social calendar, and warm community culture, while several families of assisted living and memory care residents (in "The Harbors") describe serious care lapses, high staff turnover, and poor communication. The gap between the two experiences is the dominant theme across both Google and Yelp reviews.

How did The Admiral at the Lake do on recent health and safety inspections?

The Admiral at the Lake had 4 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 41 citations on file according to CMS Care Compare data. The full history, including what each citation was for and whether it was corrected, is in the inspection section on this page.

How can families visit The Admiral at the Lake?

Submit the Request Information form on this page to connect with The Admiral at the Lake and arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.

Work at The Admiral at the Lake? Claim this listing to update photos, pricing, and details. It's free.

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