Assisted Living near Calumet City, IL

Assisted Living in Calumet City, Illinois

What Is Assisted Living?

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

For anyone who is unsure about what kind of care your loved one needs, speak with a medical professional who can help you select the best sort of care. Also, our Senior Living Advisors are available to answer any of your queries and help you find a senior care facility that meets your needs.

What Is Senior Living Like in Calumet City, IL?

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

When it comes to selecting senior living, there are numerous things to consider, from the level of attention and support to way of living, location and more. Calumet City, IL provides many options to help you make a confident and informed decision for your loved ones.

• 55+ Apartments/Senior Apartments: Generally known as adult communities, age-restricted apartments, and senior condos. Senior apartments are just like apartments for individuals of all ages, but they have an age restriction; typically residents must be more than 55 or 62. Older adults typically feel better in senior apartments and prefer living around people from their own generation.
• Independent Living: Independent living is a type of senior housing for seniors who now live independently but want to stay in a community setting with additional seniors. This sort of senior housing commonly has community events, activities, outings, and sometimes has transitional programs for seniors who eventually 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 care. An individual can spend the rest 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 departing one’s original residence.
• Adult Day Care: Adult day care can offer respite care for caregivers who remain working while also caring for a loved one. That is a great alternative for caregivers and seniors searching for ways to remain active and involved while living in the home and getting home care solutions.
• Residential Care Home/Board and Care: Care homes are normal homes in residential neighborhoods which may have been adapted to look after a small group of residents. Offering services similar to assisted living facilities, care homes specialize in providing individualized health care in a home-like setting.
• Assisted Living: Assisted living gives residents assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like washing, personal grooming, medication administration, and more. Amenities and services can differ greatly but typically there is staff available around the clock to assist residents with necessities as they arise. Residents likewise typically have a care plan that is regularly monitored and adapted as requirements change over time.
• Memory Care: This sort of care is certainly for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. These communities are usually especially designed so that residents don't get lost or wander. They offer dementia-friendly meal plans and life enhancing activities that encourage engagement and social interaction.
• Nursing Homes/Skilled Nursing Facilities: Nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing facilities, are for seniors who require the highest degree of 24- hour attention, including those people who are bedridden. Nursing homes are also utilized by seniors for rehabilitation following a hospitalization.
• Respite Care/Short-Term Stay Respite: This care typically refers to 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 short period. Family caregivers utilize respite services when they need a break or have other obligations.
• Hospice Care: Hospice care can help the terminally ill and their loved ones make the most of the last days of their lives. Originated in the word “hospitality,” hospice is not a location, but a philosophy of attention that sees death as a natural part of life, and seeks to assist people meet this end with dignity and grace. This means comforting the patient psychologically and physically while aiding their family members as they navigate any end of life decisions.

What Services Are Available?

The options and services provided in senior living can vary greatly from community to facility. However, most communities offer studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments, entertainment, meal plans, transportation, and other features.

Other amenities often found in assisted living include:

• Access to medical services
• Access to therapies on-site and off-site
• Fitness and nutrition courses
• Housekeeping assistance
• Medication administration

How Do I Tour Assisted Living Facilities?

Calumet City has 50 communities in the region so it is essential to tour several assisted living communities before finding the right one for your senior loved one. That way you'll 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'll help you arrange a tour at your most wanted community.

Here are a few of some of the best questions you should be ready to ask throughout your tour:

• Are there any outdoor spaces that people can enjoy? If so, are they kept orderly and in good appearance?
• Can your staff administer prescription medication?
• Do you have a nurse on-site 24/7?
• Do you include all of your services in the monthly rate? If not, how much are extra services?
• Does your policy include a preliminary evaluation prior to admission?
• Will there be a waitlist? If so, how many people are currently on it?
• What accommodation types can be found and what are their price ranges?
• What are the existing residents like?
• What exactly are your billing and payment guidelines and methods?
• What's the staff-to-resident ratio? Are the personnel involved? Friendly?
• What's your discharge policy?
• What sort of know-how do your workers have?
• You should also pay close attention to any people you meet or move while you’re there. Do they seem content and are they cared for 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. This means 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 need 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 records through its Department of Social Services website. Info open to review includes licensed assisted living facilities that are updated regularly, and info on assisted living licensing and violations.

In the state of Illinois, assisted living facilities are required for legal reasons to:

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

How Do I Choose the Right Assisted Living Community?

Choosing the best facility for your senior loved one can be one of the most crucial decisions you can make. During your visit, consider the quality of health care that your family member may receive. Your choice of “if, when and where to move” resides specifically with you and your family member, so think about what criteria are ultimately important to you and your loved one.

• Activities: It’s a good idea to try and schedule your tour in conjunction with community get-togethers. Ask the manager if you can look at the activities or even get involved. Are the activities and get-togethers well attended? Does the staff seem to be enjoying the entertainment as well? Take a look at the facility calendar of events. Do they match your loved one’s pursuits? Do the activities and events vary in size and type? Do they involve outings and trips away from the facility? If it's important to yourself, don’t forget to ask about religious offerings.
• Cleanliness: Does the community feel clean and fresh? Be sure to look beyond the furnishings and into baseboards, corners, and windows. Ask how often house cleaning services are made available in the private living area. Be sure to get total details on the types of maintenance provided and the approximated response times. Don’t forget to ask about laundry procedures. Ask for particulars on what is available and at what cost.
• Friendliness: The demeanor and friendliness of the personnel are of the utmost importance. Make sure that you witness multiple employees interacting with current residents. Do they listen and make eye contact? Make sure to receive a good understanding of the staffing pattern. Just how many people are in fact involved in residents’ care? Be sure you get an introduction to the management team. This will help you understand the goals and objectives of the facility. It is important that you have confidence in the facility’s team members.
• Meals: As with most of us, the dining room experience is important to seniors. When touring facilities, it is beneficial to discuss entree choices and learn about dining hours, alternatives, and policies. Make sure you and your family member enjoy a meal at community. Not only is it a great way to sample the cooking, but it’s an excellent chance to meet other folks. Make sure to go over what goes on if a resident is unable to make it to the dining room for a meal.
• Reputation: Ask people and families, past and present, for his or her honest thoughts about the facility. Many communities have a resident council that'll be pleased to help answer all of your questions. Check out our website to see a number of the 973 reviews from family members who've shared their thoughts of individual facilities.
• Security and safety: Security and safety features are extremely important and offer reassurance for the caregiver. Be sure that washrooms are accessible and have grab bars in convenient places. Ask how residents get in touch with the staff if indeed they have an an urgent situation within their living area. Find out about other safety features in living quarters and through the entire community. Be sure to find out about staffing routines to determine who's on-site at all times to help residents. Are there registered nurses on-site? How do staffing schedules differ during the night? How does the community assist or manage residents’ medication requirements?
• Trust your gut: As you are visiting, make sure you consider yourself or your loved one truly living at the facility. Can you imagine your loved one feeling relaxed? Do you feel at ease? Are the team members and residents open, welcoming and friendly?

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Calumet City, Illinois?

The A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index shows that the average cost of assisted living in the Calumet City location ranged from $1500 to $10880 per month. Costs for assisted living communities may differ widely depending on features, specific location, and services, as a result looking into nearby suburbs and towns could possibly give you more versatility.

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 may not be an choice. Here are three other 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 in a position to cash out the plan and receive money now. Different policies and constraints apply depending on the kind of insurance plan you have, so get in touch with an economic advisor or eldercare attorney to discover more about your options and to determine what’s ideal for your circumstances.
2. Reverse Mortgages: For senior couples who may have different care needs, a reverse mortgage could be a good method for one person to move into assisted living while another resides at home while his or her spouse transitions to senior living. A reverse mortgage makes it possible for homeowners aged 62 or older to borrow on their home equity. To learn 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 recognize. One benefit, in particular, Aid & Attendance, has helped many 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 one 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 current average age of U.S. veterans at 64 years old, it’s worth it 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,” get in touch with the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs or check out www.va.gov.

For even more ideas regarding how to finance your move to senior living, get in touch with A Place for Mom to speak to a Senior Living Advisor today.

5 Questions to Ask an Assisted Living Community

Finding the right assisted living facility is an important decision, both for a senior and for their relatives.

Here are five things to consider when thinking about making the move to assisted living:

1. How many staff are available to assist at night? Some assisted living communities provide 24x7 nursing staff, while some may have more generalized help on hand after hours.
2. Is there a waitlist? Popular communities can fill up fast. If the main one you like isn't available, inquire about the waitlist and what the community’s policy is for administering it. Many communities will require a deposit and some communities have internal lists for special health care needs. Here is where doing all your homework can actually pay back - plan in advance!
3. Is there an outdoor space? For most residents making the transition from a personal home to assisted living means leaving behind a beloved garden or outdoor area, so having access to a gardening area, an outdoor patio or a courtyard can be beneficial. Many larger assisted living communities offer a range of outdoor space, with features such as for example BBQ areas, gardens, and walking paths for community events.
4. What's the staff-to-resident ratio? Will this facility give your cherished one with the support they need? In line with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 25% of assisted living communities have a ratio of 1 personal care associates for each 23 residents. Staffing can vary widely depending on the size of the community, so be certain to enquire about the features you are searching for.
5. What services are within the monthly rate? Before signing the agreement, it’s a good idea to understand what is included in the basic cost arrangement and what might incur an extra fee. Some facilities employ a fee-for-service model, or a la carte pricing, this means they ask for a monthly charge for rent and meals but supplemental charges for things such as medication management. Others might use a tiered pricing model where different degrees of service are billed different service fees.

What Else Should I Consider When Choosing a Community?

With so many options 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 communities that are the best fit for his or her care needs, personality, and budget.

Here are some things to keep in mind during your search:

• Make sure you look for your loved one, not you. Today’s assisted living communities offer everything from homey environments to upscale resort-style five star living. It could be easy to end up being swayed by the features and creature comforts you might decide for yourself, but in the end it comes down to what will function best for your loved one.
• Focus on the present, not the past. Will your loved one need support bathing and getting dressed? Do they have special needs like limited eye-sight or special diets? Would they like the perks of a larger community or be more contented in a smaller, more intimate setting? Think about the here and now, not what may have been their decision ten or 15 years back.
• Arrange to see at least 3 to 5 communities, 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 deciding on the best assisted living community is often difficult, but there are services that can help. Call A Place for Mom today - we are able to help save you money and time and make it easier for you make the right choice.