Danish Home of Chicago

OUR COMMUNITY

There is No Place Like The Danish Home

The Danish Home is a home in the very best sense. Open to people of all backgrounds and heritages, we are an intimate, boutique community in the lovely, historic neighborhood of Norwood Park where we laid our roots nearly 130 years ago. Some of our residents are new to us; some are the children and relatives of those who lived here before. Others are former staff members who wouldn't make their home anywhere else. Still others are already planning to move to The Danish Home when the time is right.

Explore the Difference

Home for life. The Danish Home’s commitment to a continuum of care assures that residents can be part of our community throughout their lives from independent living through catered living and 24/7 nursing care. Those who are eligible for independent living may choose our entry fee option and receive The Danish Home Advantage, whereby they may receive charitable care within our budget.

Healthcare for all levels. Led for over 20 years by a board-certified, Harvard-educated geriatrics M.D., The Danish Home’s medical team offers loving, personalized care from registered nurses and healthcare professionals around the clock. Residents also have access to a physical therapist, dietitian and podiatrist.

Staff longevity. Many of our staff members have been at The Danish Home for over 10 years, some more than 20. In today’s world of high staff turnover, a record of long-term employment in senior living is exceptional and rare. I have spent almost half of my life at The Danish Home, said one of our registered nurses who have been here for over 20 years. Another, who has also worked at The Danish Home for many years, said: When there’s continuity in the care of residents, we really know their progress and can tell right away if there are any changes in their status.

Extraordinary dining. Our talented chef has served The Danish Home since 1999. He and his culinary team create delicious, nutritious meals tailored to individual tastes and dietary needs. Residents, who all dine together in an inclusive setting, agree that food at The Danish Home is outstanding. According to one of our residents, I have no complaints about anything at The Danish Home except maybe that the food is too good!

Engaging lifestyle. The many activities, outings and events regularly on The Danish Home calendar foster friendships and engage mind, body and spirit. Our staff and resident life team take part and join in the fun, too.  We know our residents and their families so well, said our director of resident life. We have very little staff turnover, and we are all very close. A lot of senior communities say that, but here it’s really true. You don't see that often in larger, more institutional environments.

Not-for-profit care model. As a not-for-profit community, The Danish Home is mission-focused, not money-focused. As such, our residents and generous donors are investing in values and focused on the future, supported by excellent financial stewardship.

Affordability. The Danish Home is competitively priced within the Chicago senior housing arena, while offering a superior boutique living experience. There are no mandatory entrance fees, and we offer flexible, negotiable payment options that suit individual needs, rather than bundling a pricey package of potentially unnecessary services.

Hygge.  While it has gained popularity around the world, hygge is a Danish word that means cozy and comfortable. Hygge perfectly defines The Danish Home, where a sense of well-being, safety and belonging makes for happy residents all year long.

We Are Family

The Danish Home is so much more than a retirement community; it is a family. All residents, from all levels of care, dine together and engage in activities that foster close bonds quickly. For decades, The Danish Home has been a cultural center and historical icon for Danish-American people and organizations in the Chicagoland area. Our festive annual events are akin to extended family picnics and celebrations, bringing together people of all ages and creating lifelong memories.

While our building and operations have undergone several improvements over the years, with more on the near horizon, our dedication to the values we’ve held since our founding in 1891 remains.

LIFESTYLE

Services and Amenities

From housekeeping to hairdressing and shopping, you can take advantage of a wide range of conveniences, all under one roof.

•    Apartments will be cleaned and bed and bath linens will be changed weekly.
•    Need a light bulb changed or a leaky faucet fixed. Our maintenance staff is eager to help with repairs as well as arrange furniture and hang pictures.
•    The housekeeping staff is happy to do residents laundry; however, they can care for their own clothes, if preferred, in our convenient laundry room. We’ll also help with dry cleaning, mending, and alterations.
•    Our salon offers washes, sets, haircuts and permanents for men and women.
•    Our business office can handle your mail, arrange for transportation, or set up an in-house bank account for incidentals.
•    Our convenience store offers basic toiletries, greeting cards, gifts, Danish crafts, accessories and more. Looking for something special. Our staff is happy to help.
•    Our lovely guest room is available for out-of-town visitors.

Stay fit!

A personal trainer in our onsite fitness center assists residents in developing a routine and using our exercise equipment. We also provide fun weekly classes and activities centered upon fitness, strength, balance and mobility.

Walking indoors in our protected hallways or outdoors in our beautiful garden is another lovely way to stay in shape. (Nine brisk laps around the garden sidewalk make up a mile!)

Accommodations

Our apartments will feel like home to you right away. We offer a choice of lovely studio and one-bedroom apartments which reflect our commitment to providing hygge warm, cheerful and welcoming! Each apartment has a private en suite bathroom, individual thermostats to ensure your personal comfort, telephone and private Internet service and an emergency call system. We offer linen and housekeeping services.

Recently upgraded, we offer studio, deluxe studio, one-bedroom, and deluxe one-bedroom apartments, including:

•    Private bathrooms
•    contemporary decorating schemes
•    individual thermostats so that you can select the temperature that’s comfortable for you!
•    private phone service and free Internet to keep you in touch with your family and friends
•    free cable TV
•    pull cords and pendants for prompt emergency assistance, if needed

The Danish Home of Chicago
5656 N. Newcastle Ave.
Chicago, IL 60631
(773)775-7383, Ext. 4