The Selfhelp Home Senior Living Community sits in a historic Chicago building that first gave shelter to Holocaust survivors and now welcomes seniors from across the area, especially older Jewish adults who want a familiar and supportive place as they age. The community started back in 1938, and since then, it's grown into a nonprofit home for about 150 residents, including some Holocaust survivors, offering a continuum of care that means folks can move between independent living, assisted living, short-term rehabilitation, and skilled nursing, all under one roof. The facility has about 70 apartments, mostly studios and one-bedrooms, set up for independent or assisted living, plus a 72-bed skilled nursing branch that holds a 5-star rating and Joint Commission Seal from federal regulators, so people who need more support can get it.
There's a lot to do at Selfhelp-residents find music therapy, classical piano concerts, and Jewish holiday celebrations like Passover in common spaces, along with spots to relax like an indoor solarium, rooftop garden, and a new state-of-the-art movie theater, not to mention easy access to nearby lakeside walks and the beach. Nutrition matters here since chefs serve up meals made from good ingredients every day, and all the basics like meals, housekeeping, and laundry get covered by the monthly rent, making things easier for everyone. Nurses, aides, and therapists help out with things like bathing, medication, physical therapy, and each apartment can be set up for independent or assisted living, so residents can stay as active or get as much help as they need, and there's always someone friendly to talk to thanks to the long-serving, dedicated staff.
They've worked hard to keep a strong sense of community, with programs like the Mitzvah Mensches and educational advocacy, along with activities that encourage residents to connect both inside and outside the building, plus support groups for families. Folks staying for a short-term rehab or recovering from a hospital visit can use private suites and a modern rehabilitation gym. Safety and health are a big part of their approach, especially for infection prevention and COVID-19 protections, which they take seriously. The Selfhelp Home keeps a record of its deep history with personal interviews, films like "Refuge: Stories of the Selfhelp Home," and archives open online, reflecting a focus on both care and cultural heritage. All in all, Selfhelp Home gives residents choices for care and activities, rooted in a meaningful sense of Jewish tradition and community life, without ever feeling like a hospital or a hotel.
