1920: The British Home was founded
1922: 10 acres of land was donated by Samuel Insull and is the site of the current campus
1925: The Britsh home opens with 24 residents . Staff live on site and worked together with residents on vegetable gardens and chicken coop .
1952: The British Home opened its infirmary for residents requiring nursing care
1986: Addition of the Wye Valley apartment building for active independent seniors
1996: Community outreach developments including Abbeyfield House, Handy Menders and Staying at Home services
2003: Woodlands Assisted Living residence opens with 73 apartment homes
2006: Launch of the Active Living Center with a fitness center, therapy space and rehabilitation services.
The Midwestern District cares for The British Home in Brookfield, IL, founded in 1920, the second of four Homes established by the DBE. With the help of Samuel Insull’s donation of 10 acres in 1922, the British Home celebrated its grand opening in 1925 with 24 original residents. In the early days, many employees also lived on campus. Employees and residents worked together to plant a vegetable garden and tend a chicken coop. Much of the fruit, vegetables and eggs were then used by employees in preparing meals for residents.
The original British Home still stands today as the British Home Rehabilitation Services at the center of a thriving senior campus. DBE’s partnership with Cantata Adult Life Services has helped The Home to evolve into the innovative organization that it is today. Our campus proudly offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, Enhanced Living, Long Term Care, Home Health Care, and Non-Medical Home Care, in addition to the British Home Rehabilitation Services.
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