The Hallmark

Dining gets more than a single room at The Hallmark, an independent living and assisted living community at 2960 North Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Meals are included and served restaurant style, and residents also have a cafe, a bistro, a snack shop and a pub on site. Grace Management operates the community.

Independent living here fits adults who manage their own routine and want to stop cooking and keeping up a home. Assisted living adds help with daily tasks for residents who need it, so a couple can stay in the same building when their needs differ. The culinary staff cooks from seasonal menus using local ingredients.

Activities are planned around each resident's interests. A typical week might include a morning exercise class, a card game and a shopping trip. Wellness programs aim to keep residents active and social, and they include brain games through It's Never 2 Late. The LifeLoop app shows activities and menus and lets relatives send secure messages, useful for a son or daughter who lives in the suburbs or out of state.

Pets can live with residents in both independent and assisted living. Financial staff can explain options such as the Veterans Aid and Attendance benefit. Families should also ask whether purchases at the pub and snack shop fall inside the monthly rate. Memory care is not offered, so ask how the team handles memory changes, and compare choices through senior living in Chicago.