Comprehensive Review: Alto Grayslake Senior Living

Alto Grayslake

Location & Overview

Alto Grayslake is located at 1865 E Belvidere Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030. This senior living community is situated in the historic small town of Grayslake, Illinois, offering a tranquil setting with views of golf courses, wetlands, and forests. The facility is positioned in a more rural, peaceful environment that provides residents with a retreat-like atmosphere while still maintaining access to necessary services.

Alto Grayslake is operated by Allegro Senior Living, a values-driven, Midwest-based organization with over 40 years of experience in senior living. The company manages 21 senior living communities nationwide and emphasizes a boutique-inspired senior living experience that recognizes each resident’s unique life story.

Care Services Offered

Assisted Living

  • Personalized support with activities of daily living
  • 24/7 care staff available for assistance
  • Customized care plans designed to meet individual needs
  • Private apartments with various floor plans
  • Alert buttons and pull cords in apartments for emergency assistance
  • Weekly housekeeping and laundry services
  • Transportation to doctor’s appointments
  • Medication management and health monitoring
  • Registered nurse on-site 365 days a year

Memory Care (Ensemble Program)

  • Specialized program for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia
  • Secure environment designed for comfort and safety
  • Motion sensor monitoring system that tracks resident movements at night
  • Staff specially trained in dementia and Alzheimer’s care
  • Structured activities tailored to memory care residents
  • Focus on caring for the whole person – mind, body, and spirit
  • Secure, nurturing environment designed to be relaxing and easy to navigate

Amenities & Features

Residence Options

  • Studios starting at $3,950-$4,249
  • One-bedroom apartments starting at $4,750-$5,749
  • Two-bedroom apartments starting at $6,929-$7,506
  • Full kitchens mentioned as a notable feature
  • Various floor plans to suit different preferences and budgets

Dining Services

  • Restaurant-style dining
  • Menu with more than 50 dining options
  • Special dietary accommodations including:
    • Gluten-free options
    • Kosher meals
    • Low/no sodium options
    • Vegetarian choices
    • Sugar-free options
  • All-day dining available
  • Option to order from menu or enjoy daily specials

Wellness & Recreation

  • Swimming pool
  • Fitness center with exercise equipment
  • Exercise classes
  • Health and wellness programs focusing on mind, body, and spirit
  • Walking paths throughout the property

Additional Amenities

  • Beauty salon and barber shop
  • Movie theater
  • Library
  • Private dining room for special occasions
  • Outdoor courtyard areas with fire pit
  • Pet-friendly policy (small dogs and cats allowed)
  • Transportation services for appointments, shopping, and errands
  • Wi-Fi and cable TV
  • Activity center for social gatherings
  • Communal gardens
  • Sky lounge

Daily Activities & Programs

Social & Recreational Activities

  • Bingo
  • Card games and board games
  • Arts and crafts
  • Weekly live music performances
  • Movie nights in the theater
  • Men’s Club (mentioned as a standout feature)
  • Social hours and community gatherings
  • Special events that include family participation
  • Gardening club

Health & Fitness Programs

  • Daily exercise classes
  • Brain games for cognitive stimulation
  • Adaptive fitness options

Educational & Cultural Programs

  • Brain teasers and cognitive exercises
  • Educational seminars
  • Spiritual services

Special Events & Outings

  • Weekly outings
  • Shopping trips
  • Restaurant outings
  • Scheduled transportation to stores and doctor appointments

Resident Experiences & Testimonials

Positive Feedback

  • “Staff is very friendly and attentive to family member’s needs. Their attention to detail stands out compared to other facilities we have had experience with.”
  • “I am a resident of VITALIA Active Adult Community North Royalton. It’s been fine. I have no problem with it whatsoever. The staff was fine, otherwise I wouldn’t be here. The food is good.”
  • “The staff at Alto Grayslake are very friendly and helpful. The move in process was easy. Housekeeping was good. They cleaned the rooms once a week and laundry is done once a week.”
  • “Great clean facility. Love the different activities, especially the men’s club for my dad. Like the personal touch that many of the care for caregivers give. Would recommend to anyone.”
  • “Julie, activity director for Memory Care, is so great! Lots of interaction, activities and celebrations.”

Critical Feedback

  • “They were extremely short-staffed all the time. It was very difficult to find people to work there.”
  • “For a year, I tried to get them to crush my mom’s pills because she had a polyp in her throat that she couldn’t swallow pills whole, and they never did it.”
  • “They were supposed to shower my mom twice a week, but that never happened.”
  • “The cleaning was terrible.”
  • “I’ve struggled a little bit with maintenance. When we need something done, it takes a bit of time.”
  • “I was a little disappointed that I’d already received an increase before my full year was up.”

Pricing & Financial Information

Assisted Living Monthly Costs

  • Studio: Starting at $3,950-$5,038
  • 1 Bedroom: Starting at $4,750-$5,983
  • 2 Bedrooms: Starting at $7,299-$7,506

Memory Care Monthly Costs

  • Studio: Starting at $6,667
  • Semi-Private: Starting at $4,995
  • Two Bedroom: Starting at $6,929

What’s Included

  • Three meals daily
  • Weekly housekeeping
  • Laundry services
  • Scheduled transportation
  • Utilities (except personal phone and internet in some cases)
  • Apartment maintenance
  • Access to all community amenities

Additional Costs & Fees

  • Personalized care plans may incur additional costs based on level of care needed
  • Optional services or amenities may have separate fees

Comparison with Other Senior Living Facilities in Grayslake Area

Similar Communities in the Area

  • Galloway Senior Living (Wadsworth): Studio starting at $3,900
  • The Cottages of Fox Lake: Studio starting at $4,495
  • Brookdale Hawthorn Lakes (Vernon Hills): Pricing not specified

Value Assessment

  • Alto Grayslake’s starting price for Assisted Living is generally in line with the area average
  • The average cost at Alto Grayslake ($5,275) is slightly higher than the area average of $5,215
  • Some reviewers have mentioned concerns about value relative to cost

Ratings Comparison

  • Alto Grayslake: 8.6/10 (31 reviews on A Place for Mom), 4.2/5 (9 reviews on Caring.com), 6.7/10 (Family Assets)
  • Galloway Senior Living: 10/10 (21 reviews)
  • The Cottages of Fox Lake: 9.9/10 (76 reviews)
  • Brookdale Hawthorn Lakes: 9.8/10 (76 reviews)

Management & Staff

Staff Training & Approach

  • Continuous educational training through Relias
  • Training covers proper assistance with activities of daily living, dementia care, fire safety, natural disaster training, evacuation protocols, multi-cultural training, and OSHA requirements
  • 24/7 health services staff for assisted living and memory care residents
  • Memory care staff specially trained in dementia care techniques
  • High emphasis on building personal relationships with residents

Management Quality

  • Mixed reviews on management responsiveness and staffing levels
  • Some residents report management is responsive to activity suggestions
  • Some family members have expressed concerns about management failing to address care issues

Unique Features & Programs

Ensemble Memory Care Program

  • Focuses on caring for the whole person – mind, body, and spirit
  • Creates stimulating and meaningful life experiences in a secure environment
  • Motion detection system for monitoring residents

Holistic Wellness Approach

  • Six dimensions of wellness incorporated into their programming
  • Integration of mind, body, and spiritual well-being
  • Personalized approach to resident needs

Recognition & Awards

Alto Grayslake has received several awards:

  • “Best Meals and Dining” award
  • “Best of Senior Living” award
  • “Best of Senior Living All Star” award

Conclusion

Alto Grayslake offers a comprehensive senior living experience with both assisted living and memory care options. The community provides a range of amenities including a swimming pool, restaurant-style dining, and various social spaces that support an active lifestyle. Their location in a serene setting with views of natural areas creates a peaceful atmosphere for residents.

Resident testimonials reflect a mix of experiences, with many highlighting the friendly staff, quality amenities, and diverse activities as particular strengths. The Men’s Club is frequently mentioned as a standout program. However, some concerns have been raised about staffing levels, care consistency, and maintenance responsiveness.

For families considering senior living options in the Grayslake area, Alto Grayslake offers a good combination of care services, amenities, and social engagement opportunities. The facility’s ratings, while good, are somewhat lower than some competitors in the area, suggesting prospective residents and families should conduct thorough visits and assessments.

The pricing at Alto Grayslake is slightly above the area average, but the range of amenities and programs may justify the cost for some residents. The facility’s boutique approach to senior living, with personalized care and attention to individual preferences, appears to be a distinguishing feature of their service model.

Prospective residents and families are encouraged to schedule a tour to see firsthand if the community meets their specific needs and preferences, and to obtain current pricing information directly from the facility, as rates are subject to change.

Get Pricing

Where are you looking for care?

Who are you searching for?

How quickly do you need to find an option?

Is assistance needed due to a hospital or rehab stay?

What is your monthly budget for care?

Complete the form to access your options:

By clicking "Get Pricing", you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy