Martha sitting at her concierge desk

Chilly Nights, Warm Hearts

By day, Garlands concierge Martha Nielsen is a friendly source of knowledge and assistance for Garlands members and families, however, by night, weekends, and holidays, she is an international adventurer with over 120 European trips under her belt. A former, seasoned Scandinavian Airlines Global Sales Manager, Martha retired after nearly 37 years and began a…

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Pam sitting at a desk with her laptop and books

Pam’s Passion for Preserving the Past

Pam Wilson’s love for genealogy started not long after she, the daughter of a Belgium immigrant, married a man with ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. Pam wondered, “Who were these people who led us to this union?” Thus, her journey back in time via genealogy began. A self-described “dogged researcher” and graphic designer, Pam…

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When Only The Best Will Do

For the sixth year in a row, U.S. News and World Report ranked Prairieview at The Garlands among the elite 19% of short-term rehabilitation providers nationwide to earn “High Performing” status, the highest possible achievement. This rating is based on several criteria, including staffing, medical outcomes, resident feedback, and processes of care. U.S. News relies…

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Photo of Mary and Dick

A Love Eight Decades In The Making

Garlands members Mary and Dick Schwemm were both born in Barrington, attended the same second-grade class at Hough Street School, were confirmed in the Barrington Methodist church, were chemistry lab partners junior year at Barrington High School, and were members of the Homecoming Royalty Court. Before senior year was over, they were going steady. “The…

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Group picture of The Garlands Cleaning Staff

Cleanliness Matters

The secret behind The Garlands’s spit-spot and award-winning cleanliness isn’t the latest and greatest cleaning product or a new-fangled vacuum cleaner. It’s much simpler than that: just real people caring for real people and one another. What appears as only a single bullet point on The Garlands brochure’s long list of convenient services, housekeeping is…

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A Garlands member enjoying a snuggle with a puppy.

For The Love of Animals

At the Garlands, interactions with furry friends offer therapeutic benefits for animals and Garlands members alike. This winter, nine seven-week-old Hoof Woof & Meow Animal Rescue puppies were invited to “puppy yoga” with Garlands members, who were overjoyed with their roly-poly antics. “Needless to say, there was more shoelace pulling, cuddles, and puppy kisses than…

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Couple at an Elton John Event

Usher In Your Best Life This New Year at The Garlands

As we greet the New Year, The Garlands is fortunate to remain a financially stable, award-winning, and growing community that receives accolades from members, their families, and the greater community. Record Growth Last year, we welcomed 58 new members, and we are now 95% sold and compiling a waitlist. A Commitment to Re-Investment As we…

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Environments for Aging Bronze Medal Award

The Re-vamp of a Champ! Garlands Earns Bronze Medal in Design

Following a recent revitalization, the newly reimagined Galleria at the Garlands is a multi-purpose focal point and neighborhood hub. From its integrated, open-concept design to its enhanced comfort and functionality, the Garlands Galleria invites community and offers members and their families a place to enjoy a cup of coffee, chat with neighbors, and simply chill. Garlands…

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Telligen QI Blue Ribbon Award for Covid-19 Viligence

The Garlands receives the 2023 Telligen’s Blue Ribbon in Covid-19 Vigilance Award!

At The Garlands, safety comes first. That’s why we’re proud to announce that Prarieview at The Garlands is a 2023 recipient of Telligen’s Blue Ribbon in COVID-19 Vigilance Award! Recipients of this award must meet several criteria, such as completing a preparedness attestation and achieving an up-to-date staff and resident vaccination rate. Prarieview at the Garlands…

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Garlands Member with Parkinson's doing light Poxing

Therapeutic Programming Packs a Punch

Beyond physical fitness and good times, Garlands health and wellness programming offers significant therapeutic value as well. For example, regular Mindful Meditation sessions, led by the Venerable Bhante Sujatha, a Buddhist monk, are a great way to boost mood and practice selfcare, and bi-weekly Exercise for Diabetes classes followed by glucose monitoring help type 1…

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luggage cart and concierge

Ask the Expert: Senior Living 101

For most people, understanding the ins and outs of senior living options is riddled with preconceptions or uncharted territory. Today’s older adults and their families have many options from which to choose. Each option offers unique points of differentiation, and understanding the details can be key to planning ahead to find the perfect solution for…

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Fitness is FUN!

Garlands fitness experts, Adrian Fleisher, Bethanie Lochman, and Alex Edmonds, are always up for a good time, and they are ever mindful that inspiration, creativity, and good ole fashioned FUN are key to a healthy lifestyle regardless of age. That’s why they infuse their traditional fitness offerings, like weightlifting, land and water aerobics, balance classes,…

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Beautiful Day

Linda Jensen, Paul Cygan, and Linda Larson lived across the way and around the bend from one another in Weatherstone of Inverness, a luxury northwest suburban townhome community. Much to their surprise, they became neighbors for a second time when they all chose to move to The Garlands! Adding to the irony, within four months…

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