Assisted Living near Bloomington, IL

Assisted Living in Bloomington, Illinois

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a kind of senior care and housing that gives residents support for activities of daily living (ADLs). Residents commonly receive support for bathing, dressing, medication administration, and meals. Not the same as a skilled nursing community where people receive around-the-clock nursing care, assisted living facilities give residents access to care while as well as offering a wide variety of activities and services in a community setting. Some assisted living communities also provide support for seniors with particular medical needs such as for example cognitive loss because of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, diabetes, or incontinence care.

If you are unsure about what kind of care your family member needs, consult with a medical professional who can help you select the best sort of care. Also, our Senior Living Advisors are standing by to answer any of your questions and help you discover a senior care community that meets your preferences.

What Is Senior Living Like in Bloomington, IL?

Boasting four distinct seasons and gorgeous Midwest scenery, Illinois is a beautiful destination to retire. Home to one of the world’s largest airports, retiring in Illinois provides your family and friends a convenient location to visit, while also giving you easy access to world travel.

In terms of deciding on senior living, there are several points to consider, from the level of care and support to standard of living, location and more. Bloomington, IL provides many choices so that you can make a confident and educated decision for your family.

• 55+ Apartments/Senior Apartments: Also referred to as adult communities, age-restricted apartments, and senior condos. Senior apartments are simply like apartments for people of all ages, but they have an age restriction; typically residents must be over the age of 55 or 62. Older adults quite often feel better in senior apartments and prefer living around people from their own generation.
• Independent Living: Independent living is a kind of senior housing for seniors who now live independently but want to reside in a community setting with additional seniors. This type of senior housing typically has community events, activities, outings, and often has transitional programs for seniors who ultimately need assisted living.
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs): Continuing care retirement communities are retirement facilities with accommodations for independent living, assisted living and nursing home care, providing residents a continuum of health care. An individual can spend the remainder of his life in a CCRC or life plan community, moving between levels of health care as needed. This type of arrangement is also called “aging in place,” though it does require leaving one’s original home.
• Adult Day Care: Adult day care can offer respite care for caregivers who remain working while also caring for a loved one. This is a great alternative for caregivers and seniors looking for ways to remain busy and engaged while living in the home and getting home care services.
• Residential Care Home/Board and Care: Care homes are typical homes in residential neighborhoods which have been adapted to care for a small number of residents. Offering services similar to assisted living facilities, care homes specialize in providing personalized care and attention in a home-like environment.
• Assisted Living: Assisted living gives residents assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, personal grooming, medication management, and more. Amenities and services can differ greatly but typically there is staff available around the clock to support residents with requirements as they arise. Residents also routinely have a care plan that is regularly monitored and adapted as needs change over time.
• Memory Care: This type of health care is usually for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. These communities are generally especially planned to ensure that residents do not get lost or wander. They provide dementia-friendly meal plans and life enhancing activities that enhance engagement and social interaction.
• Nursing Homes/Skilled Nursing Facilities: Nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing facilities, are for seniors who need the highest degree of 24- hour attention, including those people who are bedridden. Nursing homes are also utilized by seniors for rehabilitation after a hospital stay.
• Respite Care/Short-Term Stay Respite: This care typically means a short-term stay at a long-term care facility. Respite care may also make reference to in-home caregiving services used for only a brief period. Family caregivers use respite services if they need a break or have other obligations.
• Hospice Care: Hospice care will help the terminally ill and their loved ones make the most of the last days of their lives. Rooted in the term “hospitality,” hospice is not a location, but a philosophy of care and attention that sees death as a natural part of life, and looks to to help patients meet this end with dignity and grace. This implies comforting the individual psychologically and physically while supporting their loved ones as they navigate any end of life decisions.

What Services Are Available?

The options and services offered in senior living can vary substantially from facility to community. However, most communities offer studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments, activities, meal plans, transportation, and other amenities.

Other services often within assisted living include:

• Access to medical support
• Access to therapies on-site and off-site
• Activity and nutrition courses
• Housekeeping services
• Medication management

How Do I Tour Assisted Living Communities ?

Bloomington has 35 facilities in the area so it is important to tour several assisted living facilities before finding the right one for your senior loved one. That way you will discover what options can be found and will have a less complicated time narrowing down your alternatives. Call or contact A Place for Mom and we will help you put together a tour at your preferred community.

Here are a few of some of the best questions you need to be prepared to ask throughout your visit:

• Are there any outdoor spaces that occupants can enjoy? If so, are they kept neat and tidy?
• Can your staff provide medication?
• Do you have a nurse on-site 24/7?
• Do you include your services in the monthly rate? If not, just how much are extra services?
• Will your policy include an initial evaluation before move in?
• Is there a waitlist? If so, how many persons are currently on it?
• What apartment types are available and what exactly are their price ranges?
• What are the current residents like?
• What are your billing and payment policies and procedures?
• What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Are the personnel involved? Friendly?
• What's your release plan?
• What sort of education do your personnel have?
• You should also pay close attention to any people you meet or pass while you’re there. Do they seem content and are they treated well?

Will Medicare Pay for Assisted Living?

According to Medicare.gov, “Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities and people with End-Stage Renal Disease.”

Medicare covers only short-term, non-custodial care. As a consequence you cannot use Medicare to cover long-term nursing home stays or assisted living. Medicare covers medically necessary skilled care at a nursing home if you want short-term skilled care for an illness or injury and you meet certain conditions.

How Can I View Assisted Living Inspections and Ratings in Illinois?

The state of Illinois offers great access to its assisted living facility data through its Department of Social Services website. Info open to review includes licensed assisted living communities that are updated frequently, and information about assisted living licensing and violations.

In the state of Illinois, assisted living communities are required by law to:

• Have a license if housing 17 or more unrelated individuals
• Have over 80% of residents be 55 years old or older
• Provide each resident with a written service plan which includes a doctor’s assessment and evaluation
• Provide personal and health services 24 hours a day with staff assisting with personal necessities such as dressing, eating, and hygiene

How Do I Choose the best Assisted Living Facility?

Finding the right community for your senior loved one is one of an important decisions you may make. During your tour, consider the caliber of care that your family member may receive. Your choice of “if, when and where to move” resides solely with you as well as your family, so think about what factors are truly essential to you and your family member.

• Activities: It’s smart to try to schedule your tour in conjunction with facility events. Ask the manager if you can watch the entertainment and even participate. Are the activities and events well attended? Does the team members appear to be enjoying the entertainment as well? Have a look at the facility calendar of occasions. Do they meet your loved one’s likes and dislikes? Do the activities and events vary in size and type? Do they include outings and trips from the community? If it is important to yourself, don’t forget to inquire about religious services.
• Cleanliness: Does the community feel clean and fresh? Be sure to look beyond the furniture and into baseboards, corners, and windows. Ask how frequently house cleaning services are offered in the individual living area. Be sure you get total details on the types of maintenance provided and the estimated response times. Don’t forget to enquire about laundry procedures. Ask for particulars on what is available and at what cost.
• Friendliness: The attitude and friendliness of the personnel are of the utmost importance. Make sure you witness some personnel interacting with current residents. Do they listen and make eye contact? Make sure to receive a good knowledge of the staffing pattern. How many people are truly involved in residents’ care? Make sure you receive an introduction to the management team. This will help you understand the goals and objectives of the facility. It is important that you trust the community’s team members.
• Meals: Much like almost all of us, the dining area experience is important to seniors. When touring communities, it is important to discuss entree choices and learn about dining hours, choices, and policies. Make sure you and your family member enjoy a meal at community. Not only is it a great way to try the cuisine, but it’s an excellent opportunity to meet other people. Be sure to discuss what happens if a resident is unable to make it to the dining room for a meal.
• Reputation: Ask people and family members, past and present, for his or her honest views about the community. Many facilities have a resident council that'll be pleased to reply all of your questions. Visit our website to read over a number of the 209 reviews from families who've shared their perceptions of individual facilities.
• Safety and security: Safety and security features are extremely important and offer peace of mind for the caregiver. Be sure that bathing rooms are accessible and also have grab bars in convenient places. Ask how residents call the staff if they have an emergency within their living area. Learn about other basic safety features available in living quarters and through the entire facility. Be sure you learn about staffing schedules to determine who's on-site at all times to aid residents. Are there registered nurses on-site? How do staffing patterns differ at night? How does the facility assist or manage residents’ medication needs?
• Trust your gut: As you are touring, make sure you consider yourself or your family member essentially living at the community. Can you imagine your family member feeling comfortable? Do you really feel at ease? Are the staff and residents available, inviting and friendly?

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Bloomington, Illinois?

The A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index shows that the typical cost of assisted living in the Bloomington location ranged from $1500 to $6030 per month. Costs for assisted living communities can vary widely depending on amenities, area, and services, as a result looking into surrounding suburbs and towns could possibly offer you further flexibility.

How to Pay for Assisted Living

Many families pay for a move to assisted living through the sales of a home or personal savings, but for some people, this might not be an option. Here are three additional strategies that will assist you finance assisted living:

1. Life Insurance Policies: If the parent or senior family member you are helping transfer to assisted living has a life insurance policy, you could be able to cash out the plan and get the funds right away. Different regulations and constraints apply depending on the kind of plan you have, so call a financial advisor or eldercare legal professional to find out more about your alternatives and to assess what’s recommended for your situation.
2. Reverse Mortgages: For senior couples who may have different care needs, a reverse mortgage can be a good approach for just one person to move into assisted living while another remains in the home while his or her partner transitions to senior living. A reverse mortgage enables homeowners aged 62 or older to borrow on their home equity. To find out more, contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to look for a reverse mortgage counseling agency near you or contact the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
3. Veterans Benefits: Many seniors may qualify for veterans benefits that they don’t know about. One benefit, in particular, Aid & Attendance, has helped countless families afford assisted living. To qualify, veterans must be at least 65 years old and have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least 1 day during what the Veterans Administration considers active wartime periods. Qualifying widows and widowers of veterans can also be able to receive benefits. With the existing average age of U.S. veterans at 64 years old, it’s worthwhile to find out if your loved one may qualify for benefits. To learn more about benefits for veterans, see our “Guide to VA Benefits and Long-Term Care,” call the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs or visit www.va.gov.

For even more ideas about the best way to finance your move to senior living, call A Place for Mom to talk to a Senior Living Advisor today.

5 Questions to Ask an Assisted Living Facility

Choosing the best assisted living community is a significant decision, both for a senior and for his or her relatives.

Listed below are five things to consider when considering making the move to assisted living:

1. How many staff are available to assist during the night? Some assisted living facilities provide 24x7 nursing staff, while some may have more generalized help available after hours.
2. Will there be a waitlist? Popular communities can fill fast. If the one you like isn't available, inquire about the waitlist and what the facility’s plan is for managing it. Many facilities will require a deposit plus some communities have internal lists for special health care needs. Here's where doing your homework can actually pay off - plan in advance!
3. Is there a patio space? For many residents making the transition from a private home to assisted living means giving up a beloved garden or back yard, so gaining access to a gardening area, an outdoor patio or a courtyard is definitely important. Many larger assisted living facilities offer a range of yard, with features such as for example BBQ places, gardens, and jogging paths for facility events.
4. What's the staff-to-resident ratio? Will this community provide your loved one with the help and support they need? Based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 25% of assisted living communities have a ratio of one personal care associates for every 23 residents. Staffing can vary widely depending on the size of the community, so be certain to enquire about the services you are searching for.
5. What services are within the monthly charge? Before signing the contract, it’s smart to understand what is included in the basic charge structure and what might incur an extra charge. Some facilities employ a fee-for-service model, or a la carte pricing, which means they ask for a monthly fee for rent and meals but additional costs for things like medication management. Others might use a tiered pricing model where different degrees of care are charged different fees.

What Else Should I Consider When Choosing a Community?

With so many choices to choose from, choosing the best assisted living facility can seem like a daunting task. That’s where our Senior Living Advisors can assist - they are experts in helping match seniors to the facilities that are the best fit for their care requirements, personality, and budget.

Here are a few things to take into account during your search:

• Make sure to look for your loved one, not you. Today’s assisted living communities offer everything from homey conditions to upscale resort-style luxury living. It is easy to come to be swayed by the features and services you might choose for yourself, but finally it comes down to what will work best for your family member.
• Focus on the present, not the past. Will your family member need help bathing and dressing? Do they have special requirements like limited eye sight or special diet plans? Would they take pleasure in the perks of a larger facility or be more relaxed in a smaller, more intimate environment? Take into account the here and now, not what might have been their choice ten or 15 years ago.
• Arrange to tour at least three to five facilities, when you can. Start with planned tours and consider having a meal with the residents. If none of the places seem like a good fit, ask your Senior Living Advisor for more choices. And don’t hesitate to ask questions and take notes while you’re there.

The process of selecting the most appropriate assisted living facility can be overwhelming, but there are resources which will help. Call A Place for Mom today - we are able to help save you time and money and help you make a good choice.