Assisted Living near Rock Island, IL

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

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

What Is Senior Living Like in Rock Island, IL?

Boasting four distinct seasons and gorgeous Midwest landscapes, Illinois is a lovely place to retire. Home to one of the world’s largest airports, retiring in Illinois offers your friends and relations a convenient location to visit, while also giving you easy access to world travel.

With regards to choosing senior living, there are many points to consider, from the level of care and support to standard of living, location and more. Rock Island, IL provides many possible choices so you can make a confident and informed decision for your family.

• 55+ Apartments/Senior Apartments: Generally known as adult communities, age-restricted apartments, and senior condos. Senior apartments are just like apartments for folks of all ages, but they have an age restriction; typically residents must be older than 55 or 62. Older adults quite often feel better in senior apartments and prefer living in close proximity to people from their own generation.
• Independent Living: Independent living is a kind of senior housing for seniors who now live independently but want to reside in a community setting with various other seniors. This kind of senior housing commonly has community events, entertainment, excursions, and oftentimes 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, providing people a continuum of care. A person can spend the rest 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,” although it does require leaving one’s original residence.
• Adult Day Care: Adult day care can offer respite care for caregivers who remain working while also looking after a loved one. This is a great option for caregivers and seniors looking for ways to remain active and engaged while living at home and getting home care solutions.
• Residential Care Home/Board and Care: Care homes are typical homes in residential neighborhoods which may have been adapted to look after a small number of residents. Offering services similar to assisted living facilities, care homes specialize in providing individualized care in a home-like environment.
• 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 vary greatly but commonly there is staff available around the clock to help residents with requirements as they arise. Residents likewise routinely have a care plan that is regularly monitored and adapted as requirements change as time passes.
• Memory Care: This sort of care is for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. These facilities are generally specifically planned to ensure that residents do not 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 require the highest degree of 24- hour attention, including those who are bedridden. Nursing homes are also used 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 can also make reference to in-home caregiving services used for only a short period. Family caregivers make use of respite services if they need a break or have other obligations.
• Hospice Care: Hospice care assists the terminally ill and their families make the most of the last days of their lives. Rooted in the word “hospitality,” hospice isn't a place, 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 patient psychologically and physically while supporting their relatives as they navigate any end of life decisions.

What Solutions Are Available?

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

Other services often found in assisted living include:

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

How Do I Tour Assisted Living Communities ?

Rock Island has 50 facilities in the region so it is essential to tour several assisted living facilities before finding the right one for your senior loved one. That way you will discover what options are available and will have a less complicated time narrowing down your choices. Call or email A Place for Mom and we'll help you create a visit at your preferred community.

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

• Are there any outdoor spaces that occupants can enjoy? If so, are they kept orderly and nice looking?
• Can your staff give prescription medication?
• Do you have a nurse on-site 24/7?
• Do you include all of your services in the monthly fee? If not, how much are additional services?
• Will your policy include a preliminary assessment before admission?
• Is there a waitlist? If so, how many persons are currently on it?
• What apartment types can be found and what are their costs?
• What are the existing residents like?
• What are your invoicing and payment guidelines and methods?
• What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Are the staff members interested? Friendly?
• What is your release plan?
• What kind of education do your staff members have?
• You should also pay close attention to any people you meet or pass while you’re there. Do they seem content and are they treated 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 records through its Department of Social Services website. Info open to review includes licensed assisted living facilities that are updated often, and information about assisted living licensing and violations.

In the state of Illinois, assisted living communities 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 assessment and evaluation
• Provide personal and health services 24 hours a day with personnel assisting with personal needs such as showering, eating, and personal hygiene

How Do I Choose the best Assisted Living Community?

Choosing the best community for your senior family member is certainly one of the most important decisions you can make. During your visit, consider the quality 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 think about what factors are truly important to you and your loved one.

• Activities: It’s a good idea to try and schedule your tour together with community events. Ask the manager if you can look at the activities and even participate. Are the activities and get-togethers well attended? Does the staff seem to be to be appreciating the entertainment as well? Check out the facility calendar of occasions. Do they match your loved one’s pursuits? Do the activities and events vary in size and type? Do they involve excursions and trips from the facility? If it is important to yourself, don’t forget to ask about religious services.
• Cleanliness: Does the community feel clean and fresh? Be sure you look past the fixtures and into baseboards, corners, and windows. Ask how frequently house cleaning services are offered in the personal living space. Be sure you get total information on the types of maintenance provided and the approximated response times. Don’t forget to ask about laundry procedures. Ask for specifics on what's made available and at what price.
• Friendliness: The demeanor and friendliness of the staff are of the utmost importance. Make sure you observe some personnel communicating with current residents. Do they listen and make eye contact? Make sure to acquire a good knowledge of the staffing pattern. Just how many people are in fact involved in residents’ care? Make sure you get 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 facility’s personnel.
• Meals: As with most of us, the dining area experience is extremely important to seniors. When visiting communities, it is important to go over entree choices and find out about dining hours, alternatives, and policies. Make sure you and your loved one try a meal at community. It's not only a great way to try out the cuisine, but it’s an excellent opportunity to meet other folks. Make sure to discuss what happens if a resident is unable to make it to the dining area for meals.
• Reputation: Ask people and family members, past and present, for his or her honest opinions about the facility. Many facilities have a resident council that will be happy to reply any of your questions. Visit our website to read some of the 437 reviews from family members who have shared their thoughts of specific facilities.
• Security and safety: Security and safety features are extremely important and provide reassurance for the caregiver. Be sure that washrooms are accessible and have grab bars in convenient spots. Ask how residents call the staff if they have an an urgent situation in their living area. Find out about other basic safety features in living quarters and throughout the facility. Be sure to find out about staffing routines to determine who is on-site consistently to help residents. Are there registered nurses on-site? How do staffing routines differ during the night? How does the facility assist or manage residents’ medication needs?
• Trust your gut: As you are touring, make sure you think about yourself or your loved one actually living at the facility. Can you imagine your loved one being relaxed? Do you feel at ease? Are the team members and residents open, welcoming and cheerful?

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Rock Island, Illinois?

The A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index shows that the average cost of assisted living in the Rock Island area ranged from $1500 to $6900 per month. Charges for assisted living communities can vary widely depending on amenities, specific location, and services, consequently looking into close by suburbs and towns might offer you more versatility.

How to Pay for Assisted Living

Many families pay for a move to assisted living through the sale of a home or personal savings, but for some people, this might not be an option. Listed below are three other solutions that may help 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 might be able to cash out the policy and receive money today. Different regulations and restrictions apply according to the type of policy you have, so get in touch with a monetary advisor or eldercare legal professional to find out more about your alternatives and to assess what’s recommended 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 resides at home while his or her partner transitions to senior living. A reverse mortgage allows homeowners aged 62 or older to borrow against their home equity. To learn more, 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 be eligible for veterans benefits that they don’t recognize. One benefit, specifically, 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 one 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 existing average age of U.S. veterans at 64 years old, it’s worthwhile to find out if your family member may qualify for benefits. To learn more about benefits for veterans, see our “Guide to VA Benefits and Long-Term Care,” contact the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs or visit www.va.gov.

For more ideas about 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 Facility

Choosing the best 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 considering 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 on hand after hours.
2. Will there be a waitlist? Popular communities can fill up fast. If the one you like isn't available, inquire about the waitlist and what the facility’s plan is for administering it. Many communities will ask for a deposit plus some communities have internal lists for special health care needs. Here's where doing your homework can genuinely pay back - plan in advance!
3. Will there be an outdoor space? For most residents making the transition from a personal residence 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 is usually beneficial. Many larger assisted living communities offer a range of outdoor space, with features such as for example BBQ areas, gardens, and strolling paths for facility events.
4. What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Will this facility offer your cherished one with the help and support they want? According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 25% of assisted living facilities have a ratio of 1 personal care associates for each 23 residents. Staffing can vary widely depending on the size of the community, so be certain to ask about the services you are looking for.
5. What services are within the monthly fee? Before signing the agreement, it’s smart to understand what is included in the basic cost structure and what might incur an additional fee. Some facilities employ a fee-for-service model, or a la carte pricing, which means they bill a monthly charge 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 fees.

What Else Should I Consider When Choosing a Community?

With so many choices to choose from, choosing the best assisted living facility can seem like an intimidating task. That’s where our Senior Living Advisors can assist - they are experts in helping match seniors to the communities that are the best fit for his or her care needs, 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 facilities offer everything from homey environments to upscale resort-style luxury living. It could be easy to end up being swayed by the features and services you might choose 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 family member need support bathing and dressing? Do they have special needs like limited eye sight or special diet programs? Would they like the perks of a larger facility or be more relaxed in a smaller, more personal setting? Take into account the here and now, not what might have been their decision ten or 15 years back.
• Arrange to tour at least three to five facilities, if you can. Start with planned 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 selecting the best assisted living facility is often difficult, but there are solutions which will help. Call A Place for Mom today - we are able to help save you time and money and help you make the right choice.