City View Multicare Center — Local services in Cicero

I am a former resident of CityView. I am intrinsically aware of all the issues that in everyone complains of at this facility. What I want to make aware is the benefits of me being this facility provided.

I came in during the covid pandemic. A lot of people don't remember, but the city was a ghost town then. They wanted all the homeless people off the street, and I was one of the homeless. I never expected to find myself in a nursing home at my age but there I was.

I was finally able to be in a place where I didn't have to move around trying to find somewhere to sleep trying to find something to eat,t rying to find some place where I caget some peace of mind and get my life together. I had deep personal issues that I had needed to address. I need time and space to concentrate on this. This is what Cityview provided for me.

I was there for 3 years, so I saw the different changes of personnel and residents and myself.

Cityview is a reflection of life in the real world. The part of life we don't want to deal with too much. And those are some of the issues I had to deal with within myself, those things I didn't want to deal with. It was an opportunity to for me to take full inventory of my life It was a personal journey and it still is.

I'm so thankful for the time I was able to spend there working on myself and meeting so many wonderful people. Both residents and staff. I would name them but I wouldn't want to leave anybody out. But if they read this they know who they are 😎. I am an example of how a person can truly rebuild their lives if they dedicate themselves and humble themselves before the Lord.

Cityview can be a difficult place to live. I was able to persevere Cityview politics as CityView preserved me. With the assistance of several residents, some I can call friends and some employees, a few I can call friend, I've been able to get the counseling that I've needed for so long. I was finally able to settle myself and get schooled from the he kind of degree that you get from real life experiences and not from books.

As I stated before, I've seen the transition of different employees and administration. I must admit how inspired I was to meet the current administrator Carrie DiPaolo.It was refreshing to meet someone who actually cared about the residents and placed their welfare first. I know this personally. Yet is difficult for one person to fight against a wall of generational, cultural and institutionalized prejudices. I know this personally as well. It was part of the reason for my descent. I commend her for her effort.

During my time there I was finally able to take control of myself and hold myself accountable. This was the blessing for me being at Cityview. It was "my "ram in the bush because I was at my wits end when I was admitted. I know where my strength came from to deal with all the unnecessary internal issues that happen at Cityview, yet I had myself to work on.

And that was more important so it trumped everything else. I know a lot of people would like to see the place close, I'm just so thankful that it was open when I needed it. And that may be the case for someone else, as I'm sure it was there for someone before me.

My review of Cityview is also a supplemental review of myself. There's plenty to work on and I know they have the people there that can do it. It's all about effort. The strain of living of that Cityview was not beyond me.1 Corinthians10:13: "No temptation has come upon you except what is common to men. But God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it."

That's how you know if your burden is coming from the Lord or not.

What you put in it is what you get out of...

To whom this may concern (I hope it’s the administrator of the building),

I have been trying to get a hold of you for the past week. I’ve called 3 times and I was told to wait 24hrs for someone to call me back. No one ever did. I thought I had scheduled an appt. with you but it seems like these appointments are impossible to make. I had to call to check up on the appt. Only to find out you weren’t going to talk to me and I had to send you an email. That was very upsetting. I am sending you this email in hopes you read it but in case you don’t receive it, I’ve taken a step further to post it on your Google page.

My mother and I have done everything possible to get a hold of you. Not because we want to waste your time but because we are concerned for one of the residents who happens to be my brother.

My mom calls almost everyday to check up on him. Getting a hold of him is almost impossible. I understand that the pandemic hasn’t made it easy for anyone but since we can’t see my brother in person we try to do the best we can to keep in touch.

It’s been almost two months that my mom has tried to get a hold of someone that can help her with her concerns about my brother. She’s passed on SOOOO many messages but her concerns aren’t being addressed. I’m not sure how you go about your non English speakers but so far Janet hasn’t been helpful. My mom was told Veronica can’t help relay messages because she’s not Salvador’s social worker. Salvador’s social worker is an English speaker that doesn’t help much.

I feel like things at this point have escalated and I would really appreciate it if you can get back to me.

Some concerns:

*a month ago my brother had his bible and books stolen (Jannet took the message but nothing has been done about it).

*My brother needs a haircut (his social worker told my mom that she needed to pay for the haircut. My mom gave her the money 3 weeks ago and still no hair cut (Carlos translated for my mom).

*He was moved to another room and wasn’t given a locker (we take weekly groceries and we just found out that he’s had to share them because he has no place to lock them in).

*My mom saw a lice on him about two weeks ago, (She informed Janet, and nothing has been done).

*He doesn’t receive his monthly SS benefits(money). We pointed this out about the time he got admitted, so it’s been MONTHS(before the pandemic) and again nothing has been done.

I really hope you get back to me as soon as you can and please don’t retaliate with my brother. He’s a patient and that should be your biggest concern. After all isn’t that why you have a job?

Thank you for tour time,

A...

I'm sitting here in tears.... Never could I have ever imagined me or my mother ever being in this situation.... I'm 37 years old and I've worked nursing for twenty years , I've given care to someboy's mother, grandomother, aunty, friend, sister, church member, choir member, even mothers on the Mother's Board, sometimes Fathers and uncles too.... but never have I ever witness a love and pride that the staff has when it comes down to giving my mother care..... I switched my job to work where she is, so I can monitor the care given to her. I'm there eight to sixteen hours everyday that my sick body allows me too, but I'm there, only to be supported by the best nursing team.... Isabella, Ive worked with since I was 18 years old, I was there giving care running errands for her, and feeding her pregnancy cravings all at the same time. Rosie Swain has always been a mother to the motherless, a friend to the friendless while wrapping you in love and wisdom, making sure you knew everything that she knew before leaving her presence.... Gary Pressley, the best, he's faithful when faithful isnt even an option. And lou.... My goodness, words can describe how graeful we are to you, thanks to the treatment nurse, Latisha for working wonders, And Mr. Perl, the administrator, who fought with all he had to get me back on the team to be able to be there for my momma.... My work has finally paid off..... all of those years of heartache pain dissapontment, and low wages has finally paid off, Ive ran across people whos has become family and now the're all willing to extend the olive branch... thank God for privilage.... And thank God for the entire healthcare team, I've seen this building at its worse and now I'm seeing it at its best... You guys have really turned...