Assisted Living near Palatine, IL

Assisted Living in Palatine, 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 community where people receive around-the-clock nursing care, assisted living communities give residents access to care while also offering an array of activities and services in a community setting. Some assisted living communities provide support for seniors with certain medical requirements such as cognitive loss due to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, diabetes, or incontinence health care.

In case you are unsure about what sort of care your family member needs, consult with a medical professional who can help you select the best sort of care. Additionally, our Senior Living Advisors are available to answer any of your inquiries and help you find a senior care community that meets your needs.

What Is Senior Living Like in Palatine, IL?

Boasting four distinct seasons and beautiful Midwest scenery, 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 place to visit, while also providing you easy access to world travel.

In terms of deciding on senior living, there are several points to consider, from the amount of health care and support to way of living, location and more. Palatine, IL offers many options so you can 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 people of all ages, but have an age restriction; typically residents are required to be more than 55 or 62. Older adults generally feel better in senior apartments and prefer living near persons from their own generation.
• Independent Living: Independent living is a type of senior housing for seniors who still live independently but want to stay in a community setting with additional seniors. This type of senior housing commonly has community events, entertainment, outings, and sometimes has transitional programs for seniors who ultimately 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, providing seniors a continuum of health care. An individual can spend the remainder of his life in a CCRC or life plan community, moving between degrees of care as needed. This type of arrangement is also called “aging in place,” though it does require departing one’s original home.
• Adult Day Care: Adult day care provides respite care for caregivers who are still working while also looking after a loved one. That is a great solution for caregivers and seniors looking for ways to remain busy and involved while living in the home and getting 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 group of residents. Offering solutions similar to assisted living communities, care homes specialize in providing individualized good care in a home-like setting.
• 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 differ greatly but typically there is staff on hand around the clock to aid residents with wants 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 care is usually for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia. These communities are usually specifically designed so that residents do not get lost or wander. They offer dementia-friendly meal plans and life enhancing activities that encourage engagement and personal interaction.
• Nursing Homes/Skilled Nursing Facilities: Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, are for seniors who need the highest degree of 24- hour attention, including those 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 just a brief 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 word “hospitality,” hospice isn't a location, but a philosophy of care and attention that embraces loss of life as a natural part of life, and seeks to assist patients meet this end with dignity and grace. This means comforting the individual on an emotional level and physically while aiding their family members as they navigate any end of life decisions.

What Solutions Are Available?

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

Other amenities often found in assisted living include:

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

How Do I Tour Assisted Living Communities ?

Palatine has 50 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 get in touch with A Place for Mom and we will help you create a tour at your preferred facility.

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

• Are there any outdoor spaces that residents can enjoy? If so, are they kept orderly 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 price? If not, how much are extra services?
• Does your policy require a preliminary assessment before admission?
• Will there be a waitlist? If so, how many persons are currently on it?
• What apartment types can be found and what exactly are their costs?
• 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 involved? Friendly?
• What is your discharge policy?
• What kind of education do your staff members have?
• It's also advisable to pay close attention to any occupants you meet or pass 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 frequently, and information regarding 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 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 analysis and evaluation
• Provide personal and health services 24 hours a day with personnel assisting with personal necessities such as dressing, eating, and hygiene

How Do I Choose the Right Assisted Living Facility?

Choosing the best facility for your senior loved one is one of an important decisions you may make. Throughout your tour, consider the quality of care that your family member may receive. The decision of “if, when and where to move” resides specifically with you and your family, so consider what criteria are actually important to you and your loved one.

• Activities: It’s smart to try and schedule your tour in conjunction with community events. Ask the manager if you can watch the activities as well as participate. Are the activities and events well attended? Does the staff seem to be appreciating the entertainment as well? Check out the facility calendar of events. Do they match your loved one’s interests? Do the activities and events vary in size and type? Do they provide outings and trips away from the community? If it is important to yourself, don’t forget to ask about spiritual services.
• Cleanliness: Does the facility feel clean and fresh? Make sure to look past the furniture and into baseboards, corners, and windows. Ask how often housekeeping services are offered 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 enquire about laundry procedures. Ask for information on what's available and at what expense.
• Friendliness: The demeanor and friendliness of the personnel are of the most importance. Make sure that you witness many staff members communicating with current occupants. Do they pay attention and make eye contact? Make sure to get a good knowledge of the staffing routine. How many people are in fact involved in residents’ care? Be sure to get an introduction to the management team. This can help you understand the goals of the community. It is important that you have confidence in the community’s staff.
• Meals: Much like almost all of us, the dining area experience is essential to seniors. When visiting facilities, it is beneficial to go over entree choices and learn about dining hours, choices, and policies. Be sure you and your family member enjoy a meal at community. Not only is it a terrific way to try the food, but it’s an excellent opportunity to meet other people. Be sure to discuss what goes on if a resident is not able 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 which will be happy to answer any of your concerns. Go to our website to see a number of the 1373 reviews from families who've shared their perceptions of individual communities.
• Security and safety: Security and safety features are incredibly important and provide reassurance for the caregiver. Make sure that bathing rooms are accessible and have grab bars in convenient locations. Ask how residents call the staff if they have an an urgent situation in their living area. Find out about other safety features available in living quarters and through the entire facility. Make sure you find out about staffing patterns to determine who's on-site consistently to assist residents. Are there registered nurses on-site? How do staffing patterns differ during the night? How will the community assist or manage residents’ medication needs?
• Trust your gut: When you are visiting, make sure you think about yourself or your family member truly living at the facility. Can you imagine your family member feeling secure? Do you feel at ease? Are the team members and residents receptive, inviting and cheerful?

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Palatine, Illinois?

The A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index states that the typical cost of assisted living in the Palatine area ranged from $1500 to $13200 per month. Costs for assisted living communities may differ widely depending on features, specific location, and services, so looking into close by suburbs and towns might give you further versatility.

How to Pay for Assisted Living

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

1. Life Insurance Policies: If the parent or senior loved one you are helping transfer to assisted living has a life insurance policy, you could be in a position to liquidate the plan and get funds immediately. Different regulations and constraints apply based on the kind of policy you have, so get in touch with a financial advisor or eldercare attorney to find out more about your options and to assess what’s most useful for your needs.
2. Reverse Mortgages: For senior couples who may have different care needs, a reverse mortgage could be a good way 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 against their home equity. To learn more, get in touch with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to locate a reverse mortgage counseling agency near you 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 determine if your family member may qualify for benefits. To find out more on 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 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

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

Here are five things to consider when considering 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. Is there a waitlist? Popular facilities can fill up fast. If the one you like is not available, inquire about the waitlist and what the community’s plan is for administering it. Many communities will require a deposit plus some communities have internal lists for special health care needs. Here is where doing all your homework can genuinely pay back - plan in advance!
3. Is there an outdoor space? For many residents making the transition from a private residence to assisted living means leaving behind a beloved yard or outdoor area, so gaining access to a gardening area, an outdoor patio or a courtyard can be essential. Many larger assisted living facilities offer a selection of yard, with features such as BBQ spaces, gardens, and taking walks paths for community events.
4. What's the staff-to-resident ratio? Will this community offer your loved 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 assistants for every 23 residents. Staffing can vary widely depending on the size of the facility, so make certain to enquire about the features you are interested in.
5. What services are included in the monthly charge? Before signing the agreement, it’s a good idea to understand what is included in the basic charge structure and what might incur an extra fee. Some facilities employ a fee-for-service model, or a la carte pricing, which means they charge a monthly charge for rent and meals but supplemental charges for things like medication management. Others may use a tiered pricing model where different degrees of care are charged distinct charges.

What Else Should I Consider When Choosing a Community?

With so many choices to choose from, choosing the best 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 facilities that are the best fit for their care requirements, personality, and budget.

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

• Make sure you search for your loved one, not you. Today’s assisted living facilities offer everything from homey environments to upscale resort-style five star living. It can be easy to be swayed by the features and services you may choose 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 family member need support bathing and dressing? Do they have special needs like limited eyesight or special diet programs? Would they like the perks of a larger facility or be more contented in a smaller, more intimate environment? Think about the here and now, not what may have been their decision ten or 15 years back.
• Plan to tour at least three to five 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 alternatives. And don’t hesitate to ask questions and take down notes while you’re there.

The process of choosing the right assisted living facility is often overwhelming, but there are resources that will help. Call A Place for Mom today - we are able to help save you money and time and make it easier for you make a good choice.