The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in McHenry, IL

Situated next to Wheeler Park, The Courtyard of McHenry offers assisted and independent living, as well as memory care. The community's diverse amenities include a movie theater with a popcorn machine and a full-service restaurant with all-day availability. While seniors benefit from the typical housekeeping, laundry and transportation services, they also enjoy concierge assistance and dry cleaning. The staff, available 24/7, assists with daily living activities and medication management. Seniors' comprehensive care plans also incorporate licensed nursing and medical consults through visiting physicians. The Courtyard's programming enables residents to live socially fulfilling lifestyles characterized by activities, such as poker, book clubs and exercise classes.

Surrounded by parks, churches and shops in the Chicago suburbs, Heritage Woods of McHenry offers assisted living for seniors aged 65 and older. Certified nursing assistants use personalized service plans to provide around-the-clock support that enables residents to maintain as much independence as possible. Private studios and one-bedroom apartments feature kitchenettes, generous storage space and emergency call systems, and residents also have access to common areas, such as a country store and TV lounge. The dining room offers three meals daily plus snacks, and the culinary team prepares therapeutic meals as required.

Lake Barrington Woods sits on a forest preserve and boasts easy access to shopping and U.S. Route 14. The community earns recognition for its signature Explore assisted living program, which features engaging events tailored to residents’ passions and hobbies. Residents play bridge or shuffleboard in the card room and enjoy bird-watching by the outdoor pond. Live music and holiday celebrations also offer opportunities to relax and socialize, while art classes encourage creative expression. Supporting seniors’ overall well-being, staff assists with personal tasks and handles maintenance and housekeeping, while a licensed nurse coordinates health screenings with visiting physicians. The culinary team serves three daily meals in the restaurant-style dining room, with accommodations for special diets.

Located about 7 miles south of McHenry, Sunrise of Crystal Lake sits near several restaurants and shopping destinations. This community offers an exceptional dining experience, earning it a place among the region's top assisted living residences. Its culinary team prepares a variety of cuisines throughout the day, from seasonal dishes and regional flavors to entrees that suit special diets. For lighter fare, the casual bistro serves coffee, grab-and-go meals and happy-hour drinks and snacks. In addition to the daily dining program, Sunrise of Crystal Lake hosts chef demonstrations, cook-offs and Sunday brunches. Further engaging activities include low-impact fitness classes, such as yoga practices and walks, book club, table games and guided meditation.

Bickford of Crystal Lake sits about 10 miles south of McHenry, minutes from parks, golf courses and restaurants. We recognize this award-winning community for its dynamic activities program. Its calendar features daily exercise classes, happy hours and live music, and staff designs special events for visiting loved ones. Residents also participate in group outings to local performing arts venues and cultural attractions. In addition to this, the community supports residents’ needs through five levels of care, individualized service plans and 24/7 assistance from certified caregivers. Bickford employs an interdisciplinary care team that coordinates residents’ medical appointments, and primary care services are available on-site.

The Cottages of Fox Lake provides boutique assisted living in four 16-bed cottages on a landscaped campus near the heart of Fox Lake. The community's unique design eliminates hallways, fostering a homelike atmosphere and allowing residents to exit their private studios directly into furnished common rooms. Residents can take part in cooking classes in the community kitchen and talk with their peers in the family room and dining room. A putting green, enclosed courtyard and walking paths offer opportunities for outdoor recreation. The staff supports individuals with their daily activities and transports groups to local points of interest, including visits to parks and out for ice cream. 

The Heathers Senior Homes of Lake in the Hills sits 3 miles from Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital and 10 minutes from premiere shopping. Two single-story buildings provide assisted living and memory care for up to 36 residents. Wide corridors and adaptive furniture encourage freedom of movement, while video monitoring in shared spaces, locked egress doors and Tektone medical alert pendants safeguard vulnerable residents. The smaller size of this family-owned community fosters a homelike environment and enables tailored assistance at multiple service levels. In addition to helping seniors with daily tasks, the community's CPR-trained care partners utilize real-time recordkeeping and communication software to coordinate health care and connect with loved ones. 

Located 6.5 miles southwest of McHenry, Shepherd of Bull Valley sits within 34 acres of woodland. This family-run community stands out for its 18,000-square-foot rustic-style campus, which houses 16 seniors. The staff creates an intimate, homelike atmosphere and encourages seniors to make friends and interact with their peers. Small tasks promote motor skills and purpose, with seniors carrying out daily chores such as folding laundry and shopping. Exercise routines, designed to accommodate all fitness levels, include chair ballet and strength training, while enriching activities such as art projects, live entertainment, gardening and storytelling foster creativity and community engagement. Seniors receive 24/7 support with medication management and personal care. 

Surrounded by nature in an established neighborhood, Shepherd of Crystal Lake offers assisted living within 10 minutes of parks, shopping and Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital. The farmhouse-style home accommodates 12 seniors in private and semi-private rooms with plenty of shared living and activity space. In this close-knit environment, seniors forge friendships with peers and caregivers, which helps minimize isolation. Residents eat home-cooked meals together, and unlimited snacks are available throughout the day. Supporting senior's personal needs, caregivers provide 24-hour assistance with daily living tasks, including ambulatory transfers and medication management. Additionally, a targeted program for residents with congestive heart failure minimizes hospitalizations via on-site visits by cardiac physicians and specialized nursing support.

The Heathers Senior Homes of Ringwood sits on a rural 3-acre campus, 10 minutes from Northwestern Medicine's Immediate Care Center and 15 minutes from McHenry Hospital. This intimate community accommodates nine residents who occupy single and double suites, each with a private bathroom. Multiple shared living spaces within the ranch-style home encourage residents to gather for coffee and conversation, watch movies or read in a quiet nook. The smaller occupancy and high staff-to-resident ratio ensure each community member receives customized assistance with personal tasks. Encouraging seniors to participate in purposeful and engaging activities, highly trained care partners lead seated exercise classes, social hours, sing-alongs and a gardening club.