Mount St. Joseph
Mount St. Joseph
Mount St. Joseph is an intermediate care facility for intellectually disabled women in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Owned by the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, Mount St. Joseph provides a full range of medical care, therapy, and psychological services to its 115 residents. It is a not-for-profit facility.
The women who live at Mount St. Joseph range in age from 24 years to 94 years. The resident population is composed of all four intellectual disability categories: profound, severe, moderate, and mild. Physical disabilities range from severe to minor. As an intermediate care facility with 24-hour nursing and direct care staff, Mount St. Joseph meets the needs of all in a safe and nurturing environment. Individual care plans are designed to foster as much independence as possible. Mount St. Joseph is equipped to care for individuals throughout the stages of their lives, so residents can “age in place” without disruption.
Six spacious residential cottages form a connected network on the 160-acre campus. A lovely chapel, a large gymnasium, and swimming pools are part of the campus. When the weather is nice, residents enjoy walking on the beautiful grounds or relaxing in one of the outdoor gazebos.
On weekdays, most residents attend off-campus sheltered workshops. These workshops afford opportunities to learn, explore, interact, and work. Residents who are medically fragile attend Mount St. Joseph’s Therapeutic Day Training Program, which offers educational, therapeutic, and recreational activities. The Day Training program is open to disabled non-residents from the community as well.
Residents who are not limited by their disabilities also participate in regular outings in Lake Zurich. They enjoy shopping, dining out, and joining community events. In the summer, small groups pack their bags for week-long vacations in the heart of the Indiana Amish Country. Their community experiences are further broadened by outings funded by the Mount St. Joseph Association, such as the Marriott Children’s Theatre in Lincolnshire, the Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Walk On Equine Therapy in South Barrington, and the Illinois Special Olympics Track & Field Tournament in Bloomington.
Families and guardians participate in decision-making and are regarded as partners in the care of the residents. Most residents join their families for monthly “Home Visits” and extended stays during holidays. Families are welcome in the cottages at any time.
Mount St. Joseph offers a full and exemplary quality of life for intellectually disabled women. Each individual is cherished by the housemothers and the compassionate, professional staff. Each is given opportunities to grow, practice daily living skills, and forge deep friendships in a safe environment.
