Assisted Living near Vernon Hills, IL

Assisted Living in Vernon Hills, Illinois

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a type of senior care and housing which offers residents support for activities of daily living (ADLs). Residents commonly receive support for bathing, dressing, medication management, and meals. Different from a skilled nursing facility where people receive around-the-clock nursing care, assisted living communities give residents access to care while as well as offering a wide variety of activities and features in a community setting. Some assisted living communities provide support for seniors with particular medical needs 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 loved one needs, speak with a medical expert who can help you select the best kind of care. Also, our Senior Living Advisors are available to answer all of your questions and help you discover a senior care community that meets your preferences.

What Is Senior Living Like in Vernon Hills, IL?

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

When it comes to deciding on senior living, there are many things to consider, from the amount of attention and support to life style, location and more. Vernon Hills, IL offers many options to help you make a confident and educated decision for your family.

• 55+ Apartments/Senior Apartments: Also referred to as adult communities, age-restricted apartments, and senior condos. Senior apartments are simply like apartments for individuals of all ages, but they have an age restriction; typically residents are required to be over the age of 55 or 62. Older adults sometimes 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 type of senior housing commonly has community events, activities, excursions, and often 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 residents a continuum of health care. An individual 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 home.
• 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 busy and involved while living at home and getting home care services.
• Residential Care Home/Board and Care: Care homes are ordinary homes in residential neighborhoods which may have been adapted to care for a small group of residents. Offering solutions similar to assisted living communities, care homes specialize in providing personalized good care in a home-like environment.
• Assisted Living: Assisted living gives residents assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, personal grooming, medication management, and more. Amenities and services can vary greatly but typically there is staff on hand around the clock to aid residents with needs 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 kind of attention is usually for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. These facilities are generally especially planned to ensure 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 require the highest level of 24- hour care, including those people 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 refer to in-home caregiving services used for just a brief period. Family caregivers utilize respite services if they need a break or have other obligations.
• Hospice Care: Hospice care helps the terminally ill and their families 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 looks to to assist patients meet this end with dignity and grace. This means comforting the patient on an emotional level and physically while assisting their friends and family as they navigate any end of life decisions.

What Services Are Available?

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

Other services often found in assisted living include:

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

How Do I Tour Assisted Living Communities ?

Vernon Hills has 50 facilities in the area so it is important to tour several assisted living communities before choosing the best one for your senior loved one. That way you'll 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'll help you arrange a tour at your most wanted community.

Below are a few of the best questions you should be prepared to ask during your visit:

• Are there any outdoor spaces that people can enjoy? If so, are they kept orderly and nice looking?
• Can your staff administer medication?
• Do you have a nurse on-site 24/7?
• Do you include your services in the monthly cost? If not, just how much are extra services?
• Does your policy require a preliminary assessment before admission?
• Is there a waitlist? If so, how many people are currently on it?
• What accommodation types are available and what are their costs?
• What are the current residents like?
• What exactly are your billing and payment guidelines and methods?
• What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Are the personnel engaged? Friendly?
• What's your release plan?
• What kind of know-how do your workers have?
• It's also advisable to pay close attention to any occupants you meet or move 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. Data open to review includes licensed assisted living facilities that are updated regularly, and details about 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 which includes a doctor’s analysis and evaluation
• Provide personal and health services 24 hours per day with staff assisting with personal necessities such as showering, eating, and hygiene

How Do I Choose the best Assisted Living Facility?

Choosing the best community for your senior family member is usually one of an important decisions you may make. Throughout your tour, consider the standard of health care that your loved one may receive. Your choice of “if, when and where to move” resides specifically with you and your loved one, so think about what factors are actually beneficial to you and your family member.

• Activities: It’s a good idea to try to schedule your tour together with community events. Ask the manager if you can look at the activities or even participate. Are the activities and get-togethers well attended? Does the personnel appear to be making the most of the entertainment as well? Check out the facility calendar of get-togethers. Do they meet your loved one’s hobbies and interests? Do the activities and events vary in size and type? Do they include outings and trips from the facility? If it's essential to yourself, don’t forget to inquire about faith based offerings.
• Cleanliness: Does the community feel clean and fresh? Be sure to look beyond the fixtures and into baseboards, corners, and windows. Ask how frequently house cleaning services are made available in the private living space. Be sure to get total details on the types of repair provided and the approximated response times. Don’t forget to enquire about laundry procedures. Ask for specifics on what's available and at what cost.
• Friendliness: The demeanor and friendliness of the staff are of the utmost importance. Make sure you observe multiple personnel communicating with current occupants. Do they pay attention and make eye contact? Make sure to receive a good knowledge of the staffing routine. How many people are in fact involved in residents’ care? Be sure you get an introduction to the management team. This will help you understand the goals of the facility. It is important that you trust the facility’s team members.
• Meals: Much like most of us, the dining area experience is very important to seniors. When touring communities, it is beneficial to go over entree choices and learn about dining hours, choices, and procedures. Be sure to and your family member try a meal at community. It's not only a great way to try out the cooking, but it’s a great possibility to meet other people. Make sure to discuss what happens if a resident is not able to make it to the dining area for meals.
• Reputation: Ask people and families, past and present, for his or her honest views about the facility. Many communities have a resident council which will be happy to help answer all of your concerns. Visit our website to read some of the 1217 reviews from families who have shared their impressions of specific facilities.
• Safety and security: Safety and security features are extremely important and offer peace of mind for the caregiver. Be sure that washrooms 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. Make sure you find out about staffing routines to determine who's on-site at all times to assist residents. Are there registered nurses on-site? How do staffing schedules differ at night? How does the facility assist or manage residents’ medication requirements?
• Trust your gut: As you are touring, be sure to consider yourself or your family member actually living at the facility. Can you imagine your loved one being secure? Do you feel at ease? Are the team members and residents available, inviting and cheerful?

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Vernon Hills, Illinois?

The A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index shows that the typical cost of assisted living in the Vernon Hills location ranged from $2000 to $13200 per month. Charges for assisted living facilities can vary widely based on amenities, location, and services, consequently looking into close by suburbs and towns could give you more 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 might not be an choice. Here are three other solutions that may help you pay for assisted living:

1. Life Insurance Policies: If the parent or senior family member you are helping transfer to assisted living has a life insurance policy, you might be able to liquidate the insurance plan and obtain the funds right now. Different policies and restrictions apply according to the kind of policy you have, so call a financial advisor or eldercare lawyer to learn more about your alternatives and to determine what’s most useful for your situation.
2. Reverse Mortgages: For senior couples who may have different health care requirements, a reverse mortgage can be a good method for one person to move into assisted living while another remains in the home while his or her spouse transitions to senior living. A reverse mortgage makes it possible for home owners aged 62 or older to borrow on their home equity. To find out more, contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to find 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, 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 worthwhile to discover if your family member may qualify 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 about the best way 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 Community

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

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

1. How many staff are on hand to assist at night? Some assisted living facilities 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 isn't available, inquire about the waitlist and what the community’s plan is for managing it. Many communities will require a deposit and some communities have internal lists for special care needs. Here is where doing your homework can actually pay off - plan in advance!
3. Will there be a patio space? For most residents making the transition from a personal residence to assisted living means giving up a beloved lawn or back yard, so gaining access to a gardening area, an outdoor patio or a courtyard is usually beneficial. Many larger assisted living communities offer a range of yard, with features such as BBQ spaces, gardens, and strolling paths for facility events.
4. What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Will this facility give your loved one with the help and support they need? In line with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 25% of assisted living facilities have a ratio of one 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 searching for.
5. What services are included in the monthly rate? Before signing the contract, it’s smart to understand what is included in the basic charge structure and what might incur an additional fee. Some facilities employ a fee-for-service model, or a la carte pricing, this 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 degrees of care are charged different fees.

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 specialists in helping match seniors to the facilities that are the best fit for his or her care needs, personality, and budget.

Here are some things to remember during your search:

• Be sure to look for your loved one, not you. Today’s assisted living facilities offer everything from homey conditions to upscale resort-style five star living. It can be easy to be influenced by the features and creature comforts you may decide for yourself, but in the end it comes down to what will work best for your loved one.
• Concentrate on the present, not the past. Will your loved one need support washing and dressing? Do they have special requirements like limited eyesight or special diet plans? Would they enjoy the perks of a larger facility or be more happy in a smaller, more personal setting? Think about the here and now, not what might have been their decision ten or 15 years back.
• Arrange to see at least 3 to 5 communities, when you can. Start with scheduled tours and consider having a meal 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 deciding on the best assisted living facility is often complicated, but there are solutions that will help. Call A Place for Mom today - we are able to help save you time and money and help you make a good choice.