Ravenswood Supportive Living

Ravenswood Supportive Living, sitting right at 1922 W Sunnyside Avenue in Chicago, is a mid-rise building that used to be a hospital built back in 1974 and now's been turned into a community for seniors aged 62 and older who are looking for affordable housing and services to help them stay as independent as possible, and what's interesting here is they have both certified affordable supportive living apartments and independent senior apartments in the same building, which really makes it stand out as the first of its kind in Illinois to combine these two living arrangements for low-income seniors under one roof. Folks who move in will find one-bedroom apartments-recently fixed up, with big windows, kitchenettes, blinds, and emergency pull cords-where they get their own space and privacy while being part of a safe community. The place is focused on giving folks support if they need it, so there's personal care help, homemaking, laundry, medication reminders, escorts for moving around, and 24-hour staff support with CNA's on hand, and residents also get three meals a day, snacks, and things like cable and phone utilities all included under a Medicaid waiver for those who qualify. Ravenswood Supportive Living really tries to make sure people can age in place, meaning they try to let them stay put even as needs change, so their supportive living program brings in extras like physician-directed care, partnerships for therapy services, hospice, and home health if people become homebound, plus there's help arranging transportation for doctor visits and shopping. The building has a whole bunch of everyday comforts too-there's a beauty salon with barber, an activity room, private mailboxes, a laundry room, Wi-Fi, and a nice patio outside. Social life gets a nudge from activities like bingo, fitness, movie nights, outings, card games, entertainers, religious services, quarterly health checks, and wellness programs. Residents handle their own room and board costs, but a lot of the support services are covered if they're eligible, and everything's aimed at keeping people feeling safe, respected, active, and well-cared for without moving into full nursing care. The Ravenswood neighborhood's a lively part of Chicago, close to parks, stores, and spots like the Lincoln Park Zoo and Museum of Contemporary Art, so there's a real sense of community life, and altogether, this is a place that tries to balance independence, practical help, and affordable living for seniors.