Assisted Living near Olney, IL

Assisted Living in Olney, Illinois

What Is Assisted Living?

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

In case you are unsure about what sort of care your cherished one needs, speak with a medical expert who can help you select the best kind of care. Additionally, our Senior Living Advisors are available to answer all of your concerns and help you find a senior care facility that meets your preferences.

What Is Senior Living Like in Olney, IL?

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

With regards to deciding on senior living, there are lots of things to consider, from the amount of attention and support to life style, location and more. Olney, IL provides many choices in order to 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 are required to be more than 55 or 62. Older adults quite often feel better in senior apartments and prefer living around persons 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 kind of senior housing typically has community events, activities, outings, and often has transitional programs for seniors who gradually 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, offering residents a continuum of care. An individual can spend the rest 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 departing one’s original residence.
• Adult Day Care: Adult day care can provide respite care for caregivers who remain working while also looking after a loved one. That is a great choice for caregivers and seniors searching for ways to remain active and engaged while living in the home and getting home care services.
• Residential Care Home/Board and Care: Care homes are common 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 care and attention in a home-like setting.
• Assisted Living: Assisted living gives residents assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, personal grooming, medication administration, and more. Amenities and services can differ greatly but commonly there is staff on hand around the clock to help residents with requirements as they arise. Residents also routinely have a care plan that is frequently monitored and adapted as necessities change as time passes.
• Memory Care: This sort of attention is normally for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other varieties of dementia. These communities are generally specifically planned so that residents do not get lost or wander. They provide dementia-friendly meal plans and life enhancing activities that promote engagement and social 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 attention, including those people who are bedridden. Nursing homes are also utilized by seniors for rehabilitation after a hospitalization.
• Respite Care/Short-Term Stay Respite: This care typically refers to a short-term stay at a long-term care community. Respite care may also make reference to in-home caregiving services used for just a short period. Family caregivers make use of respite services when 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. Rooted in the term “hospitality,” hospice isn't a location, but a philosophy of care 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 individual emotionally and physically while aiding their relatives as they navigate any end of life decisions.

What Solutions Are Available?

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

Other services often within assisted living include:

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

How Do I Tour Assisted Living Communities ?

Olney has 50 communities in the area so it is important to tour several assisted living facilities before choosing the best one for your senior loved one. That way you'll discover what options are available and will have an easier time narrowing down the options. Call or get in touch with A Place for Mom and we'll help you put together a tour at your preferred facility.

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

• Are there any outdoor spaces that people can enjoy? If so, are they kept neat and in good appearance?
• Can your staff dispense prescription medication?
• Do you have a nurse on-site 24/7?
• Do you include all of your services in the monthly rate? If not, just how much are extra services?
• Will your policy include an initial evaluation prior to admission?
• Will there be a waitlist? If so, how many people are currently on it?
• What apartment types are available and what are their price ranges?
• What are the current residents like?
• What exactly are your invoicing and payment guidelines and methods?
• What's the staff-to-resident ratio? Are the personnel engaged? Friendly?
• What's your release policy?
• What sort of know-how do your workers have?
• It's also advisable to pay close attention to any residents you meet or pass 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. 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 usage of its assisted living facility information through its Department of Social Services website. Info available to review includes licensed assisted living communities that are updated regularly, and information regarding 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 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 per day with personnel assisting with personal necessities such as dressing, eating, and hygiene

How Do I Choose the Right Assisted Living Community?

Finding the right facility for your senior family member is one of the most important decisions you may make. Throughout your visit, consider the standard of health care that your loved one may receive. The decision of “if, when and where to move” resides solely with you as well as your family member, so consider what factors 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 watch the entertainment and even get involved. Are the activities and occasions well attended? Does the staff seem to be enjoying the activity as well? Check out the facility calendar of events. Do they match your loved one’s likes and dislikes? Do the activities and events vary in size and type? Do they provide excursions and trips away from the facility? If it is important to yourself, don’t forget to ask about spiritual services.
• Cleanliness: Does the community feel clean and fresh? Be sure you look beyond the furnishings and into baseboards, corners, and windows. Ask how often housekeeping services are provided in the private living space. Make sure you get full details on the types of repair provided and the approximated response times. Don’t forget to ask 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 several personnel interacting with current residents. Do they listen and make eye contact? Be sure to get a good understanding of the staffing pattern. Just how many people are actually involved with residents’ care? Make sure you receive an introduction to the management team. This will help you understand the goals and objectives of the community. It is important that you trust the community’s team members.
• Meals: Much like almost all of us, the dining room experience is extremely important to seniors. When visiting facilities, it is valuable to go over entree choices and find out about dining hours, options, and procedures. Be sure to and your family member enjoy a meal at community. It's not only a great way to try the food, but it’s an excellent chance to meet other residents. Be sure to go over what happens if a resident cannot make it to the dining room for meals.
• Reputation: Ask residents and families, past and present, for his or her honest views about the community. Many facilities have a resident council that'll be pleased to help answer any of your concerns. Check out our website to read a few of the 305 reviews from families who have shared their perceptions of specific facilities.
• Security and safety: Security and safety features are incredibly important and offer reassurance for the caregiver. Be sure that restrooms are accessible and have grab bars in convenient places. Ask how residents call the staff if indeed they have an an urgent situation within their living area. Find out 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 consistently to aid residents. Are there registered nurses on-site? How do staffing routines differ during the night? How will the facility assist or manage residents’ medication requirements?
• Trust your gut: When you are visiting, be sure you think about yourself or your family member actually living at the community. Can you imagine your family member feeling relaxed? Do you feel at ease? Are the team members and residents receptive, welcoming and friendly?

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Olney, Illinois?

The A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index shows that the average cost of assisted living in the Olney location ranged from $1500 to $6725 per month. Charges for assisted living communities can vary widely depending on features, area, and services, so looking into surrounding suburbs and towns may give you more 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 persons, this may not 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 assisting transfer to assisted living has a life insurance policy, you may well be able to cash out the plan and obtain the funds right away. Different policies and restrictions apply according to the kind of insurance policy you have, so contact an economic advisor or eldercare attorney to determine more about your options and to evaluate what’s best for your needs.
2. Reverse Mortgages: For senior couples who may have different care requirements, a reverse mortgage can be a good way for one person to go into assisted living while another remains at home while their spouse transitions to senior living. A reverse mortgage allows homeowners aged 62 or older to borrow on their home equity. To learn more, get in touch with 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 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 current average age of U.S. veterans at 64 years old, it’s worth it to find out if your family member may be eligible for benefits. To find out more on benefits for veterans, see our “Guide to VA Benefits and Long-Term Care,” contact the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs or check out www.va.gov.

For more ideas regarding how to finance your move to senior living, contact 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 considering making the move to assisted living:

1. How many staff are available to assist at night? Some assisted living facilities provide 24x7 nursing staff, while others 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 is not available, inquire about the waitlist and what the facility’s policy is for managing it. Many facilities will ask for a deposit plus some communities have internal lists for special health care needs. Here is where doing your homework can genuinely pay back - plan in advance!
3. Is there a patio space? For most residents making the transition from a personal residence to assisted living means giving up a beloved backyard or back yard, so gaining access to a gardening area, a patio or a courtyard can be valuable. Many larger assisted living communities offer a selection of yard, with features such as BBQ spaces, gardens, and taking walks paths for facility events.
4. What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Will this facility provide your loved one with the help and 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 each 23 residents. Staffing may differ widely depending on the size of the facility, so make certain to ask about the features you are searching for.
5. What services are within the monthly price? 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 cost. Some facilities employ a fee-for-service model, or a la carte pricing, which means they ask for a monthly cost for rent and meals but additional 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 Facility?

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

Below are a few things to keep in mind during your search:

• Be sure to search 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 end up being swayed by the features and services you may decide for yourself, but ultimately it comes down to what will function best for your family member.
• Focus on the present, not the past. Does your loved one need help bathing and dressing? Do they have special needs like limited vision or special diet programs? 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 may have been their decision ten or 15 years back.
• Plan to tour at least 3 to 5 facilities, when you can. Start with planned tours 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 most appropriate assisted living facility is often difficult, but there are solutions 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.