Assisted Living near Palos Park, IL

Assisted Living in Palos Park, Illinois

What Is Assisted Living?

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

If you are unsure about what sort of care your family member needs, consult with a medical expert who can help you select the best sort of care. Additionally, our Senior Living Advisors are available to answer any of your questions and help you discover a senior care community that meets your preferences.

What Is Senior Living Like in Palos Park, IL?

Boasting four distinct seasons and gorgeous Midwest landscapes, Illinois is a beautiful destination to retire. Home to one of the world’s largest airports, retiring in Illinois offers your family and friends a convenient location to visit, while as well as providing you easy access to world travel.

When it comes to choosing senior living, there are many things to consider, from the amount of health care and support to way of living, location and more. Palos Park, IL has many choices so you can 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 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 often feel better in senior apartments and prefer living near people 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 other seniors. This type of senior housing typically has community events, entertainment, excursions, 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, giving people a continuum of health care. An individual can spend the rest of his life in a CCRC or life plan community, moving between levels of care as needed. This type of arrangement is also called “aging in place,” although it does require departing one’s original home.
• Adult Day Care: Adult day care provides respite care for caregivers who remain working while also looking after a loved one. This is a great solution for caregivers and seniors looking for ways to remain active and engaged while living in the home and receiving home care services.
• Residential Care Home/Board and Care: Care homes are typical 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 supervision, and more. Amenities and services can vary greatly but commonly there is staff available around the clock to assist residents with wants 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 can be for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia. These facilities are generally specifically designed so that residents don't get lost or wander. They offer dementia-friendly meal plans and life enhancing activities that enhance engagement and personal 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 health care, including those 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 refer 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 can help the terminally ill and their loved ones make the most of the last days of their lives. Originated in the term “hospitality,” hospice isn't a location, but a philosophy of care that embraces death as a natural part of life, and seeks to support individuals 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 Solutions Are Available?

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

Other features often found in assisted living include:

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

How Do I Tour Assisted Living Communities ?

Palos Park has 50 communities in the area so it is essential to tour several assisted living facilities before finding the right one for your senior loved one. That way you'll discover what options are available and will have an easier time narrowing down your choices. Call or email A Place for Mom and we'll help you setup a tour at your most wanted facility.

Here are some of some of the best questions you need to be prepared to ask throughout your visit:

• Are there any outdoor spaces that residents 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 price? If not, just how much are additional services?
• Will your policy include an initial evaluation before move in?
• Is there a waitlist? If so, how many people are currently on it?
• What accommodation types can be found and what exactly are their costs?
• What are the existing residents like?
• What are your billing and payment policies and procedures?
• What's the staff-to-resident ratio? Are the personnel interested? Friendly?
• What is your release policy?
• What sort of education do your staff members have?
• You should also pay close attention to any residents 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 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 usage of its assisted living facility records through its Department of Social Services website. Info open to review includes licensed assisted living communities 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 which includes a doctor’s assessment and evaluation
• Provide personal and health services 24 hours a day with staff assisting with personal needs such as showering, eating, and personal hygiene

How Do I Choose the Right Assisted Living Community?

Choosing the best community for your senior family member is certainly one of the most crucial decisions you may make. During your visit, consider the standard of care that your family member may receive. The decision of “if, when and where to move” resides solely with you and your loved one, so consider what factors are truly important to you and your loved one.

• Activities: It’s a good idea to try to schedule your tour together with community events. Ask the manager if you can watch the entertainment as well as get involved. Are the activities and get-togethers well attended? Does the personnel seem to be to be appreciating the entertainment as well? Have a look at the community 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 community? If it's important to you and your family, don’t forget to ask about faith based services.
• Cleanliness: Does the community feel clean and fresh? Make sure to look past the fixtures and into baseboards, corners, and windows. Ask how often house cleaning services are made available in the personal living space. Be sure to get complete information on the types of repair provided and the approximated response times. Don’t forget to enquire about laundry procedures. Ask for information on what's made available and at what price.
• Friendliness: The demeanor and friendliness of the personnel are of the utmost importance. Make sure you witness multiple personnel mingling with current occupants. Do they listen and make eye contact? Make sure to receive a good knowledge of the staffing routine. How many people are in fact involved with residents’ care? Make sure you get an introduction to the management team. This can help you understand the goals and objectives of the facility. It is important that you trust the facility’s staff.
• Meals: As with the majority of us, the dining area experience is extremely important to seniors. When visiting facilities, it is valuable to discuss entree choices and find out about dining hours, choices, and procedures. Make sure you and your loved one try a meal at facility. Not only is it a great way to sample the meals, but it’s an excellent possibility to meet other residents. Make sure to discuss what goes on if a resident cannot make it to the dining room for meals.
• Reputation: Ask people and family members, past and present, for his or her honest opinions about the community. Many facilities have a resident council that'll be happy to reply all of your questions. Go to our website to read over some of the 1103 reviews from family members who've shared their impressions of specific facilities.
• Security and safety: Safety and security features are extremely important and provide reassurance for the caregiver. Make sure that restrooms are accessible and have grab bars in convenient places. Ask how residents contact the staff if they have an emergency in their living area. Find out about other basic safety features in living quarters and throughout the community. Make sure you learn about staffing patterns to determine who is on-site at all times to aid residents. Are there registered nurses on-site? How do staffing schedules differ at night? How does the community assist or manage residents’ medication needs?
• Trust your gut: As you are visiting, make sure you consider yourself or your family member truly living at the facility. Can you imagine your loved one being relaxed? Do you feel at ease? Are the team members and residents amenable, welcoming and friendly?

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Palos Park, Illinois?

The A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index shows that the typical cost of assisted living in the Palos Park region ranged from $1500 to $10880 per month. Costs for assisted living facilities may differ widely depending on amenities, location, and services, so looking into near by suburbs and towns could offer you further flexibility.

How to Pay for Assisted Living

Many people pay for 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 resources that may help you pay for assisted living:

1. Life Insurance Policies: If the parent or senior loved one you are assisting move into assisted living has a life insurance policy, you may well be in a position to liquidate the plan and obtain the funds today. Different policies and restrictions apply according to the kind of coverage you have, so call a monetary advisor or eldercare attorney to determine more about your options and to evaluate what’s most effective for your circumstances.
2. Reverse Mortgages: For senior couples who may have different care needs, a reverse mortgage can be a good approach for just one person to go into assisted living while another remains in the home while his or her spouse transitions to senior living. A reverse mortgage enables homeowners aged 62 or older to borrow on their home equity. For more information, contact 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 qualify 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 one 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 current average age of U.S. veterans at 64 years old, it’s worthwhile to learn 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,” contact the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs or go to www.va.gov.

For even more ideas about the best way to pay for your move to senior living, call 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.

Listed below are five things 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 others may have more generalized help available 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 plan is for administering it. Many facilities will ask for a deposit and some communities have internal lists for special care needs. Here is where doing all your homework can seriously pay off - plan ahead!
3. Is there an outdoor space? For many residents making the transition from a private home to assisted living means giving up a beloved lawn or back yard, so the ability to access a gardening area, an outdoor patio or a courtyard is certainly valuable. Many larger assisted living facilities offer a selection of outdoor space, with features such as for example BBQ spaces, gardens, and taking walks paths for facility events.
4. What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Will this community provide your cherished one with the help and support they want? 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 every 23 residents. Staffing may differ widely depending on the size of the facility, so be sure to enquire about the features you are interested in.
5. What services are within the monthly rate? Before signing the agreement, it’s smart 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 bill a monthly fee for rent and meals but extra charges for things such as medication management. Others may use a tiered pricing model where different levels of care are billed different fees.

What Else Should I Consider When Choosing a Facility?

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 help - they are experts in helping match seniors to the communities that will be the best fit for their care requirements, personality, and budget.

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

• Make sure to search for your loved one, not you. Today’s assisted living communities offer everything from homey environments to upscale resort-style five star living. It can be easy to end up being swayed by the features and services you might decide for yourself, but ultimately it comes down to what will function best for your loved one.
• Concentrate on the present, not the past. Does your loved one need help washing and dressing? Do they have special needs like limited vision or special diets? Would they take pleasure in the perks of a larger facility or be more contented in a smaller, more personal environment? Take into account the here and now, not what may have been their choice ten or 15 years ago.
• Plan to see at least 3 to 5 communities, if you can. Start with scheduled 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 best assisted living facility can be overwhelming, but there are resources which can help. Call A Place for Mom today - we can help save you time and money and make it easier for you make the right choice.