Assisted Living near Cary, IL

Assisted Living in Cary, Illinois

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a kind of senior care and housing which offers residents support for activities of daily living (ADLs). Residents typically receive support for bathing, dressing, medication supervision, and meals. Different from a skilled nursing facility where people receive around-the-clock nursing care, assisted living communities give residents access to care while as well as offering an array of activities and services in a community setting. Some assisted living communities 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.

Should you be unsure about what kind of care your family member 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 inquiries and help you discover a senior care facility that meets your preferences.

What Is Senior Living Like in Cary, IL?

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

In terms of choosing senior living, there are plenty of points to consider, from the level of care and support to way of living, location and more. Cary, IL provides many options to help you make a confident and educated decision for your loved ones.

• 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 generally 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 other seniors. This sort of senior housing typically has community events, entertainment, outings, and often has transitional programs for seniors who gradually 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, offering seniors a continuum of care. An individual can spend the remainder of his life in a CCRC or life plan community, moving between degrees of health care as needed. This type of arrangement is also called “aging in place,” although it does require leaving one’s original home.
• Adult Day Care: Adult day care can offer respite care for caregivers who are still working while also caring for a loved one. This is a great option for caregivers and seniors looking for ways to remain busy and engaged while living at home and receiving home care services.
• Residential Care Home/Board and Care: Care homes are normal homes in residential neighborhoods which may have been adapted to look after a small number of residents. Offering services similar to assisted living communities, care homes specialize in providing personalized good care in a home-like environment.
• Assisted Living: Assisted living gives residents assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like washing, personal grooming, medication management, and more. Amenities and services can vary greatly but commonly there is staff available around the clock to support 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 type of attention is normally for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia. These facilities are usually specifically designed so that residents don't get lost or wander. They provide dementia-friendly meal plans and life enhancing activities that encourage engagement and personal interaction.
• Nursing Homes/Skilled Nursing Facilities: Nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing facilities, are for seniors who require the highest level of 24- hour health care, 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 can also make reference to in-home caregiving services used for only a short period. Family caregivers make use of respite services when they need a break or have other obligations.
• Hospice Care: Hospice care benefits the terminally ill and their loved ones make the most of the last days of their lives. Rooted in the term “hospitality,” hospice isn't a place, but a philosophy of attention that sees death as a natural part of life, and looks to to help people meet this end with dignity and grace. This implies comforting the patient psychologically and physically while aiding their loved ones as they navigate any end of life decisions.

What Services Are Available?

The amenities and services provided in senior living may differ greatly from facility to facility. However, most communities offer studio, one-room or two-bedroom apartments, entertainment, meal plans, transportation, and other services.

Other services often within assisted living include:

• Access to medical services
• Access to therapies on-site and off-site
• Fitness and nutrition programs
• Housekeeping services
• Medication management

How Do I Tour Assisted Living Facilities?

Cary has 50 communities in the local area so it is essential to tour several assisted living facilities before finding the right one for your senior family member. That way you'll discover what options can be found and will have a less complicated time narrowing down your alternatives. Call or email A Place for Mom and we will help you setup a visit at your most wanted community.

Here are some of the best questions you need to be prepared to ask during your walk through:

• Are there any outdoor spaces that occupants can enjoy? If so, are they kept clean and in good appearance?
• Can your staff dispense medication?
• Do you have a nurse on-site 24/7?
• Do you include all of your services in the monthly charge? If not, how much are additional services?
• Does your policy include a preliminary evaluation before admission?
• Is there a waitlist? If so, how many people are currently on it?
• What apartment types can be found and what exactly are their costs?
• What are the existing residents like?
• What are your billing and payment guidelines and procedures?
• What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Are the staff members engaged? Friendly?
• What is your release plan?
• What sort of education do your personnel have?
• It's also advisable to pay close attention to any occupants you meet or move while you’re there. Do they seem content and are they taken care of 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 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 usage of its assisted living facility information through its Department of Social Services website. Data available 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 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 per day with personnel assisting with personal needs such as dressing, eating, and hygiene

How Do I Choose the best Assisted Living Community?

Finding the right facility for your senior loved one can be one of the most important decisions you can make. Throughout your tour, consider the standard of health care that your loved one may receive. Your choice of “if, when and where to move” resides specifically with you and your family, so think about what criteria are actually essential to you and your loved one.

• Activities: It’s smart to try and schedule your tour together with community events. Ask the manager if you can look at the activities as well as get involved. Are the activities and get-togethers well attended? Does the staff appear to be having fun with the entertainment as well? Check out the facility calendar of occasions. Do they meet your loved one’s interests? Do the activities and events vary in size and type? Do they include outings and trips away from the facility? If it's essential to yourself, don’t forget to inquire about faith based offerings.
• Cleanliness: Does the facility feel clean and fresh? Be sure to look past the furniture and into baseboards, corners, and windows. Ask how frequently housekeeping services are made available in the individual living space. Be sure you get complete information on the types of maintenance provided and the approximated response times. Don’t forget to enquire about laundry procedures. Ask for particulars on what's made available and at what expense.
• Friendliness: The attitude and friendliness of the personnel are of the most importance. Make sure that you witness several staff members communicating with current occupants. Do they listen and make eye contact? Make sure to get a good knowledge of the staffing routine. Just how many people are actually involved in residents’ care? Be sure to receive an introduction to the management team. This will help you understand the goals of the facility. It's important that you have confidence in the community’s team members.
• Meals: Much like almost all of us, the dining room experience is extremely important to seniors. When touring communities, it is important to go over entree choices and find out about dining hours, alternatives, and procedures. Be sure you and your family member try a meal at community. Not only is it a great way to try the cuisine, but it’s a great possibility to meet other folks. Make sure you go over what happens if a resident is not able to make it to the dining room for meals.
• Reputation: Ask residents and families, past and present, for their honest views about the facility. Many communities have a resident council that'll be happy to help answer all of your questions. Go to our website to read some of the 1220 reviews from family members who've shared their perceptions of individual communities.
• Safety and security: Security and safety features are very important and provide peace of mind for the caregiver. Be sure that washrooms are accessible and also have grab bars in convenient spots. Ask how residents contact the staff if indeed they have an an urgent situation in their living area. Learn about other safety features available in living quarters and through the entire facility. Be sure to find out about staffing routines to determine who is on-site consistently to assist residents. Are there registered nurses on-site? How do staffing patterns differ at night? How does the facility assist or manage residents’ medication requirements?
• Trust your gut: As you are touring, be sure to think about yourself or your family member actually living at the facility. Can you imagine your loved one being relaxed? Do you really feel at ease? Are the team members and residents open, welcoming and cheerful?

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Cary, Illinois?

The A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index shows that the average cost of assisted living in the Cary area ranged from $2195 to $11490 per month. Costs for assisted living facilities may differ widely based on features, location, and services, consequently looking into surrounding suburbs and towns could possibly offer you further 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 won't be an option. Here are three additional strategies that may help you pay for assisted living:

1. Life Insurance Policies: If the parent or senior family member you are helping move into assisted living has a life insurance policy, you could be able to liquidate the plan and receive the funds now. Different regulations and restrictions apply according to the kind of policy you have, so call a monetary advisor or eldercare legal professional to discover more about your alternatives and to assess what’s ideal for your needs.
2. Reverse Mortgages: For senior couples who may have different health care requirements, a reverse mortgage can be a good method for one person to go 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 in your area or contact the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
3. Veterans Benefits: Many seniors may be eligible for veterans benefits that they don’t recognize. One benefit, specifically, 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 current average age of U.S. veterans at 64 years old, it’s worth it to determine if your loved one may be eligible for benefits. To find out 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

Choosing the best assisted living community is a major decision, both for a senior and for his or her family members.

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

1. How many staff are on hand to assist at night? Some assisted living communities provide 24x7 nursing staff, while some may have more generalized help available after hours.
2. Will there be 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 managing it. Many communities will require a deposit and some communities have internal lists for special care needs. Here's where doing all your homework can actually pay off - 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 back garden or back yard, so gaining access to a gardening area, a patio or a courtyard can be important. Many larger assisted living communities offer a selection of yard, with features such as BBQ places, gardens, and jogging paths for community events.
4. What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Will this facility offer your loved one with the support they want? Based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 25% of assisted living communities have a ratio of 1 personal care associates for every 23 residents. Staffing can vary widely depending on the size of the community, so be sure to enquire about the features you are interested in.
5. What services are included in the monthly charge? Before signing the contract, it’s smart to understand what is included in the basic cost arrangement and what might incur an additional charge. Some facilities employ a fee-for-service model, or a la carte pricing, which means they charge a monthly rate for rent and meals but supplemental charges for things like medication management. Others could use a tiered pricing model where different degrees of care are billed different charges.

What Else Should I Consider When Choosing a Facility?

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 facilities that are the best fit for their care requirements, personality, and budget.

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

• Make sure you look for your family member, not you. Today’s assisted living facilities offer everything from homey conditions to upscale resort-style high end living. It can be easy to come to be influenced by the features and creature comforts you may decide for yourself, but eventually it comes down to what will function best for your family member.
• Concentrate on the present, not the past. Does your family member need help washing and dressing? Do they have special requirements like limited vision or special diet plans? Would they enjoy the benefits of a larger community or be more happy in a smaller, more personal environment? Take into account the here and now, not what might have been their choice ten or 15 years back.
• Plan to see at least 3 to 5 facilities, when you can. Start with scheduled visits and consider having meals with the residents. If none of the places seem like a good fit, ask your Senior Living Advisor for more alternatives. And don’t hesitate to ask questions and take notes while you’re there.

The process of choosing the right assisted living community can be complicated, but there are solutions which can help. Call A Place for Mom today - we are able to help save you time and money and make it easier for you make a good choice.