Assisted Living near Geneva, IL

Assisted Living in Geneva, 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 administration, and meals. Not the same as a skilled nursing facility where residents receive around-the-clock nursing care, assisted living facilities give residents access to care while also offering a broad range of activities and services in a community setting. Some assisted living communities provide support for seniors with specific medical requirements such as for example cognitive loss due to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, diabetes, or incontinence care.

Should you be unsure about what sort of care your family member needs, speak with a medical professional who can help you decide on the best sort of care. Additionally, our Senior Living Advisors are available to answer any of your inquiries and help you locate a senior care community that meets your preferences.

What Is Senior Living Like in Geneva, IL?

Boasting four distinct seasons and gorgeous Midwest landscapes, Illinois is a beautiful 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 providing you easy access to world travel.

When it comes to selecting senior living, there are numerous things to consider, from the amount of attention and support to standard of living, location and more. Geneva, IL provides many choices so you can make a confident and educated 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 have an age restriction; typically residents must be over the age of 55 or 62. Older adults sometimes feel more secure 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 live in a community setting with various other seniors. This sort of senior housing commonly has community events, entertainment, outings, and sometimes has transitional programs for seniors who eventually need assisted living.
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs): Continuing care retirement communities are retirement communities with accommodations for independent living, assisted living and nursing home care, giving seniors a continuum of health care. A person 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,” although 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 choice for caregivers and seniors searching 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 regular homes in residential neighborhoods that have been adapted to care for a small number of residents. Offering services similar to assisted living facilities, care homes specialize in providing individualized 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 supervision, and more. Amenities and services can differ greatly but typically there is staff on hand around the clock to assist residents with necessities as they arise. Residents likewise typically have a care plan that is frequently monitored and adapted as needs change over time.
• Memory Care: This type of attention is for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. These communities are usually specifically designed so that residents do not get lost or wander. They provide 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 need the highest degree of 24- hour attention, including those people who are bedridden. Nursing homes are also used 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 just a brief period. Family caregivers make use of respite services if they need a break or have other obligations.
• Hospice Care: Hospice care helps 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 loss of life as a natural part of life, and looks to to support individuals meet this end with dignity and grace. This means comforting the individual on an emotional level and physically while assisting their loved ones as they navigate any end of life decisions.

What Services Are Available?

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

Other features 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 management

How Do I Tour Assisted Living Communities ?

Geneva has 50 facilities in the region so it is important to tour several assisted living communities before choosing the best one for your senior family member. That way you will discover what options can be found and will have a less complicated time narrowing down the options. Call or email A Place for Mom and we will help you put together a tour at your most wanted facility.

Here are a few of the best questions you need to be prepared to ask during your tour:

• Are there any outdoor spaces that residents can enjoy? If so, are they kept clean and in good appearance?
• Can your staff provide medicine?
• Do you have a nurse on-site 24/7?
• Do you include all of your services in the monthly cost? If not, how much are extra services?
• Will your policy include an initial evaluation prior to move in?
• Will there be a waitlist? If so, how many persons are currently on it?
• What apartment types are available and what exactly are their costs?
• What are the current residents like?
• What exactly are your billing and payment policies and procedures?
• What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Are the personnel interested? Friendly?
• What is your discharge policy?
• What kind of knowledge 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 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. Therefore 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 specific conditions.

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

The state of Illinois offers great access to its assisted living facility information through its Department of Social Services website. Data open to review includes licensed assisted living facilities that are updated often, and info on 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 that includes a doctor’s assessment and evaluation
• Provide personal and health services 24 hours per day with personnel assisting with personal needs such as showering, eating, and hygiene

How Do I Choose the Right Assisted Living Community?

Choosing the best facility for your senior loved one is usually one of an important decisions you may make. During your visit, consider the caliber of health 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 consider what criteria are actually 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 entertainment as well as get involved. Are the activities and get-togethers well attended? Does the staff seem to be enjoying the activity as well? Check out the facility calendar of get-togethers. Do they match your loved one’s pursuits? Do the activities and events vary in size and type? Do they provide excursions and trips from the community? If it's important to yourself, don’t forget to inquire about faith based services.
• Cleanliness: Does the community feel clean and fresh? Be sure to look beyond the furnishings and into baseboards, corners, and windows. Ask how often housekeeping services are offered in the private living space. Be sure you get total details 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 demeanor and friendliness of the personnel are of the utmost importance. Make sure you watch many personnel mingling with current residents. Do they listen and make eye contact? Be sure to get a good knowledge of the staffing routine. How many people are actually involved in residents’ care? Be sure you get an introduction to the management team. This can help you understand the goals and objectives of the community. It is important that you trust the facility’s team members.
• Meals: Much like the majority of us, the dining area experience is essential to seniors. When visiting communities, it is valuable to discuss entree choices and learn about dining hours, options, and procedures. Be sure to and your loved one try a meal at facility. It's not only a terrific way to try the cuisine, but it’s a great possibility to meet other people. Make sure you discuss what happens if a resident is unable to make it to the dining area 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 which will be pleased to help answer all of your concerns. Check out our website to see some of the 1282 reviews from family members who've shared their impressions of individual communities.
• Safety and security: Security and safety features are very important and provide reassurance for the caregiver. Be sure that bathrooms are accessible and also have grab bars in convenient places. Ask how residents call the staff if indeed they have an an urgent situation in their living area. Learn about other basic safety features in living quarters and throughout the facility. Be sure to learn about staffing routines to determine who is on-site consistently to aid residents. Are there registered nurses on-site? How do staffing routines differ at night? How does the facility assist or manage residents’ medication requirements?
• Trust your gut: When you are visiting, make sure you consider yourself or your loved one truly living at the community. Can you imagine your family member being relaxed? Do you really feel at ease? Are the team members and residents amenable, inviting and friendly?

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Geneva, Illinois?

The A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index shows that the typical cost of assisted living in the Geneva location ranged from $1500 to $9540 per month. Costs for assisted living facilities may differ widely based on amenities, area, and services, consequently looking into close by suburbs and towns may give you more flexibility.

How to Pay for Assisted Living

Many family members finance a move to assisted living through the sale of a residence or personal savings, but for some persons, this won't be an option. Listed below are three additional resources that will assist you finance assisted living:

1. Life Insurance Policies: If the parent or senior loved one you are helping move into assisted living has a life insurance policy, you may well be in a position to cash out the insurance policy and get the funds today. Different regulations and restrictions apply depending on the kind of insurance policy you have, so call a financial advisor or eldercare lawyer to discover more about your alternatives and to evaluate what’s recommended for your situation.
2. Reverse Mortgages: For senior couples who may have different health 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 partner transitions to senior living. A reverse mortgage makes it possible for home owners aged 62 or older to borrow on their home equity. For more information, call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to locate a reverse mortgage counseling agency in your area 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 1 day during what the Veterans Administration considers active wartime periods. Qualifying widows and widowers of veterans may also be able to receive benefits. With the existing average age of U.S. veterans at 64 years old, it’s worth it to find out if your loved one may be eligible for benefits. To find out more about benefits for veterans, see our “Guide to VA Benefits and Long-Term Care,” call the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs or check out www.va.gov.

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

5 Questions to Ask an Assisted Living Community

Finding the right assisted living community is a significant decision, both for a senior and for his or her family members.

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

1. How many staff are available to assist during the night? Some assisted living communities provide 24x7 nursing staff, while some may have more generalized help on hand after hours.
2. Will there be a waitlist? Popular facilities can fill fast. If the main one you like is not available, inquire about the waitlist and what the facility’s policy is for managing it. Many communities will ask for a deposit plus some communities have internal lists for special care needs. Here's where doing your homework can genuinely pay off - plan ahead!
3. Is there a patio space? For many residents making the transition from a personal residence to assisted living means leaving behind a beloved backyard or outdoor area, so gaining access to a gardening area, an outdoor patio or a courtyard can be valuable. Many larger assisted living communities offer a range of yard, with features such as BBQ areas, gardens, and walking paths for facility events.
4. What's the staff-to-resident ratio? Will this facility give your cherished one with the support they want? According to 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 may differ widely depending on the size of the community, so make certain to enquire about the features you are interested in.
5. What services are included in the monthly rate? Before signing the contract, it’s smart to understand what is included in the basic fee structure and what might incur an extra cost. Some facilities employ a fee-for-service model, or a la carte pricing, this means they bill a monthly rate for rent and meals but supplemental costs for things like medication management. Others may use a tiered pricing model where different levels of service are billed different charges.

What Else Should I Consider When Choosing a Community?

With so many choices to choose from, finding the right assisted living community 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 will be the best fit for their care requirements, personality, and budget.

Here are a few things to bear in mind during your search:

• Make sure to search for your family member, not you. Today’s assisted living facilities offer everything from homey environments to upscale resort-style high end living. It could be easy to come to be tempted by the features and creature comforts you might choose for yourself, but eventually it comes down to what will work best for your family member.
• Focus on the present, not the past. Does your loved one need help washing and dressing? Do they have special requirements like limited eyesight or special diet plans? Would they enjoy the benefits of a larger facility or be more contented in a smaller, more personal setting? Think about the here and now, not what may have been their decision ten or 15 years ago.
• Arrange to tour at least 3 to 5 communities, 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 options. And don’t hesitate to ask questions and take notes while you’re there.

The process of selecting the right assisted living facility is often overpowering, but there are services which will help. Call A Place for Mom today - we can help save you time and money and make it easier for you make a good choice.