Stop by for a tour at Bickford of Crystal Lake

Relax in your favorite chair on the porch at Bickford of Crystal Lake

Enjoy a good book in the living room at Bickford of Crystal Lake

Have fun with themed and holiday meals in the private dining room at Bickford of Crystal Lake

We’re serving up snacks, beverages and service around the clock in the bistro at Bickford of Crystal Lake

Enjoy restaurant-style meals served three times a day in our dining room at Bickford of Crystal Lake

Enjoy a good snooze in the sitting area at Bickford of Crystal Lake

Relax with a good puzzle in the activity room at Bickford of Crystal Lake

With an easy access design, our whirlpool allows you to enjoy a warm bath safely and comfortably at Bickford of Crystal Lake

Strut on in and find out what the buzz is all about in the salon at Bickford of Crystal Lake

Get a new lease on life with a cozy apartment at Bickford of Crystal Lake

Enjoy bird watching, gardening and barbecuing in our courtyard at Bickford of Crystal Lake

A single entrance courtyard gives residents with dementia the opportunity to be safe outside at Bickford of Crystal Lake

Bickford of Crystal Lake

Assisted Living & Montessori Memory Care

4.3

47 reviews

Phone:
815-859-9637

717 McHenry Ave,
Crystal Lake, IL 60014

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Your loved one deserves to live the best life possible

Watch your loved one thrive in an environment that feels like home

Navigating the aging journey is difficult.

We understand what’s at stake here: it’s not just someone, it’s your loved one.

Meanwhile, it’s on you to make the difficult decisions.

There's a Higher Path for our seniors

The Senior's Journey

There are two paths that seniors take as they age: the lower path and the higher path

Senior care today is reactive, expensive, and siloed. It’s a sick-care system, not a health-care system (designed to keep seniors healthy). Most of us have accepted this status quo because it feels too big and complex to change. Not us. We’re taking the road less traveled and championing a higher standard of senior care.

Learn More

Our family of caregivers will do whatever it takes to care for your loved one

Meet Crystal Lake's Leadership Team

Julie Johnsey

Executive Director
Lisa Watkins

Family Advocate
Tricia Cunningham

Health & Wellness Director

To better understand the love that drives us, watch our Caregiver’s Manifesto

Services at Crystal Lake

Assisted Living

Personalized help with the activities of daily life, such as meals, grooming, and medication management.

Montessori Memory Care

A research-backed approach empowering seniors with dementia to live a meaningful life.

See Service Details

Happenings

If you think there’s not much going on in a senior living community, you’ve never been to Bickford.

Marites Delizo

Mar 30, 2026

Today has been an active day in our community, focused on keeping residents engaged and involved. Our assisted living residents participated in a bingo game, facilitated by fellow residents who volunteered to call out numbers. Meanwhile, our 2 AL residents activity leaders coaching memory care residents enjoyed an educational session on cat care while interacting with the animals. Other residents engaged in a productive activity, folding baby blankets. Following these activities, the residents enjoyed solving picture puzzles, a popular pastime. And they end up with socializing in the courtyard, appreciating the pleasant weather and bonding with our BFM’s.Montessori#MemoryCare #HigherPath #CARD

Marites Delizo

Mar 28, 2026

Prior to the end of each month, we ensure that we commemorate the monthly birthdays of our residents, which is always highlighted with a birthday cake specially prepared by our Assistant Chef, George. The celebration is thoroughly enjoyed by our residents, complete with music, dancing, and singing. Montessori#MemoryCare #HigherPath #CARD

Marites Delizo

Mar 27, 2026

On the occasion of Baseball Opening Day, both MB and AL thoroughly enjoyed the playoffs in our community. Our BFM team members enthusiastically assisted in decorating their baseball cups and actively participated in the playoffs. The event fostered a sense of camaraderie as everyone enjoyed the game, cheering for their respective teams and taking turns to play. The experience was filled with laughter, snacks, enjoyment, happiness, and satisfaction, all within a span of a few hours in our community. Montessori#MemoryCare #HigherPath #CARD

Marites Delizo

Mar 25, 2026

One of our Assisted Living resident showcased his artistic skills by creating an animal balloon design, engaging with MB residents and few of our Assisted Living residents in an enjoyable and interactive activity.Montessori#MemoryCare #HigherPath #CARD

Marites Delizo

Mar 22, 2026

Table tennis was another successful activity for our AL and MB residents, fostering a spirit of friendly collaboration and enjoyment as everyone participated in turns without any emphasis on rivalry or competition. Montessori#MemoryCare #HigherPath #CARD

Marites Delizo

Mar 21, 2026

Our community's themed family bingo night event has proven to be a resounding success, offering a comprehensive experience encompassing prizes, laughter, excitement, treats, and refreshments all in one evening. #Shamrockin’St.PatrickBingoNight

Lisa Watkins

Mar 20, 2026

Guess what team Rob and Dianne are cheering for?? It's March Madness, the time of year when everyone is a Basketball fan! Coming up next week Bickford celebrates baseball opening day. Are you a Cubs fan or a Sox fan? Lisa Watkins Family Advocate Bickford Senior Living Crystal Lake Assisted Living / Montessori Memory Care

Marites Delizo

Mar 20, 2026

Another productive day at Crystal Lake. Every single day, our residents enjoy a diverse range of activities. These include puzzle-solving in our cozy corner and activity room, sing-along with our volunteers, manicures, and outdoor relaxation in the courtyard, where they can bask in the pleasant weather and eagerly anticipate gardening opportunities in spring and summer.

Lisa Watkins

Mar 19, 2026

Spontaneous dance parties during morning exercise, carnival games in the bistro and the always popular puppy therapy sessions are just a few of the activities that Bickford residents enjoy every day. Let's get you or your loved one on the Higher Path today! Lisa Watkins Family Advocate Bickford Crystal Lake Assisted Living / Montessori Memory Care 815-859-9637

Tricia Cunningham

Mar 17, 2026

Luck of the Irish! We at Crystal lake Bickford had a wonderful singer in for St. Patty's day! everyone had a great time! #Higher Path #Montessouri #CARD

Real Residents
Real Reviews

Learn More

We value transparency. We get feedback every month. Here’s what’s really going on at Bickford of Crystal Lake.

4.3

overall score based on 47 reviews

Mar 5, 2026

We appreciate the staff immensely! So many wonderful men and women.
Feb 2, 2026

We would, however, appreciate weekly (minimum) health updates for the community when there is a community-wide health issue present (as there is now with the gastro big. We received an update on FRI 1/23 with staff and resident counts but nothing since.
Feb 2, 2026

As Mom gets older and continues to decline cognitively, the staff remains so committed and attentive to her. They show kindness and patience everyday. My brothers and I are so blessed to have Mom at Bickford and it gives us peace of mind.
Jan 5, 2026

The caring people.
Jan 5, 2026

My mom has been sick this past week and required a few hours in the ER. The staff at Bickford went over and above to reassure Mom, give her everything she needed when she was not feeling well, and they communicated with me the whole time. I am so appreciative of everyone at Bickford who cares for the residents so well. It's more than a job to them; it's a calling.
Dec 3, 2025

The people are amazing, the smiles are endless, and, the staff genuinely cares.
Dec 3, 2025

I really appreciate the care and attention Mom receives as she needs more reminders. For example, one of the care team always makes sure Mom's compression socks are on first thing each morning.
Nov 5, 2025

Amazing people starting with (name removed) at the top. (name removed) sets the standards and expectations and thus deserves much credit. She has assembled a talented yet highly caring staff. They work hard to personalize the care provided. I won't attempt to list names because I would certainly be leaving someone out - but - suffice it to say that in the 11 months of relationship with Bickford of Crystal Lake, we have found only great (once in a rare while only "good") team members. Never a rating below "Good" and by far the vast majority "Great." We know the workloads are heavy and the economics put pressure on the staff, however, when called upon or asked, they do everything in their power (and with a smile) to serve. We feel so blessed that our mom is there. Thank you, (name removed), for your heart and your leadership.