The Montessori method was originally developed for children’s education. However, its core principles—respect, independence, and purposeful engagement—aren’t just for classrooms. They’re for life.
At The Birches, we’ve embraced this philosophy in a way that honors aging and supports growth at every stage. Learn how our Montessori-inspired approach makes our community feel like home—and helps our Members be contributing members of their environment.
Many people are surprised to learn that the Montessori approach isn’t just for children—it’s a powerful, proven method for adults, too. At The Birches, we embrace the Montessori philosophy to create a failure-free environment that supports independence, dignity, and purposeful living.
As the first Certified Montessori Inspired Lifestyle senior living community in Illinois, we’re proud to stand at the forefront of innovative, evidence-based senior living and care. Our Montessori-based approach enhances our exceptional, comprehensive assisted living and memory care offerings.
We were inspired to take the necessary steps to become a Certified Montessori Inspired Lifestyle community by recognizing the potential for this approach to have a significant positive impact on the quality of life of our assisted living and memory care community Members.
From championing lifelong learning to encouraging independence, active engagement, problem solving, and decision-making: Montessori methods have a wealth of applications that benefit seniors and empower them to thrive at every age and stage of life.
At The Birches, Montessori isn’t a program—it’s a philosophy that shapes everything we do. It's not just about offering activities—it’s about creating a way of life where each person is seen, heard, and empowered to live with purpose and independence.
In Assisted Living, this means our Members aren’t just receiving care—they’re participating in life on their own terms. They’re choosing what to wear, how to spend their day, changes they’d like to see in their environment or home, services they would like to add, and how they want to be supported. These may sound like small choices, but they’re deeply meaningful. Montessori teaches us that independence and dignity come from having control over the things that matter to you.
We integrate Montessori principles into our environment and routines in ways that support each individual's strengths. From familiar, easy-to-navigate layouts to community life designed around their interests and abilities, our Assisted Living Members thrive in an environment built around them—not the other way around.
We encourage opportunities for contribution, not just participation. A Member might volunteer to help distribute newspapers, water the plants, assist in a meal prep, or lead a group discussion—because being useful and needed is part of what makes life rich and full.
Yes, you’ll find engaging experiences like art, music, movement, and reminiscence—but even these are delivered through a Montessori lens: resident-directed, personalized to those that live in our community, and purposeful.
This approach transforms assisted living from a place of care to a place of living well. It’s what makes life at The Birches not just safe and supportive—but meaningful, connected, and full of possibility. This philosophy isn’t limited to daily routines or social activities—it’s at the heart of how we provide care and support.
We also utilize Montessori principles in our holistic approach to care. With personalized service plans and individualized support to customize their living space to optimize independence, our team is here to uplift and empower each of our residents to connect with their best quality of life.
Discover more about our unique Montessori-based approach to senior living and care.
The core of the Montessori philosophy—independence, respect, purpose, and connection—has no age limit. These principles aren’t just for learning early in life; they’re just as powerful, if not more so, in later years.
For older adults, Montessori-inspired living supports lifelong growth. It encourages curiosity, strengthens memory through meaningful engagement with purpose and challenge, and helps each person stay actively connected to their environment and community as a contributing member of their home.
At The Birches, our Montessori approach means our assisted living Members take the lead. We are here to support but it is up to them to live their life, their way, their choice, on their terms.
Self-directed days promote confidence and independence. Respectful routines offer calm. And our personalized, strengths-based approach to care helps each Member feel both supported and empowered.
This is what a thriving senior living experience looks like—one built on trust, purpose, with dignity and possibility.
As Illinois’ first Certified Montessori Inspired Lifestyle community, we’re proud to bring this philosophy to life in a way that’s both dynamic and deeply personal. It’s how we help our Members live fully, at every age and stage because we are all aging together.
The Birches is proud to offer a dynamic, Montessori-based lifestyle to all who choose us. This innovative, positive approach is how we empower each of our assisted living Members to be a contributing member of our community and show them the possibilities today holds.
Download our Navigating Assisted Living: Essential Insights for Families guide to learn more.