Assisted Living near West Chicago, IL

Assisted Living in West Chicago, 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 commonly receive support for bathing, dressing, medication supervision, and meals. Not the same as a skilled nursing community where people receive around-the-clock nursing care, assisted living facilities give residents access to care while as well as offering a wide variety of activities and amenities in a community setting. Some assisted living communities provide support for seniors with specific medical necessities such as cognitive loss due to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, diabetes, or incontinence health care.

Should you be unsure about what sort of care your family member needs, speak with a medical expert who can help you decide on the best sort of care. Also, our Senior Living Advisors are standing by to answer all of your questions and help you discover a senior care facility that meets your preferences.

What Is Senior Living Like in West Chicago, IL?

Boasting four distinct seasons and lovely Midwest landscapes, Illinois is a beautiful location 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 selecting senior living, there are several things to consider, from the level of health care and support to life style, location and more. West Chicago, IL has many choices so you can 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 simply like apartments for individuals of all ages, but they have an age restriction; typically residents are required to be older than 55 or 62. Older adults quite often feel more secure in senior apartments and prefer living around persons from their own generation.
• Independent Living: Independent living is a kind of senior housing for seniors who still live independently but want to stay in a community setting with other seniors. This sort of senior housing commonly has community events, activities, outings, and in some cases has transitional programs for seniors who eventually need assisted living.
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs): Continuing care retirement communities are retirement facilities with accommodations for independent living, assisted living and nursing home care, giving people a continuum of health care. A person 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 remain working while also caring for a loved one. This is a great option for caregivers and seniors searching for ways to remain active and engaged while living in the home and getting home care solutions.
• Residential Care Home/Board and Care: Care homes are ordinary homes in residential neighborhoods that have been adapted to look after a small number of residents. Offering solutions 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 management, and more. Amenities and services can differ greatly but commonly there is staff on hand around the clock to support residents with necessities as they arise. Residents likewise routinely have a care plan that is on a regular basis monitored and adapted as requirements change over time.
• Memory Care: This sort of care is for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia. These facilities are generally especially designed to ensure that residents do not get lost or wander. They offer dementia-friendly meal plans and life enhancing activities that promote 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 utilized by seniors for rehabilitation following a hospital stay.
• Respite Care/Short-Term Stay Respite: This care typically means a short-term stay at a long-term care community. Respite care can also refer 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 benefits the terminally ill and their families make the most of the last days of their lives. Rooted in the word “hospitality,” hospice is not a place, but a philosophy of care and attention that embraces death as a natural part of life, and looks to to aid patients meet this end with dignity and grace. This means comforting the patient emotionally and physically while supporting their family members as they navigate any end of life decisions.

What Services Are Available?

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

Other services often found in assisted living include:

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

How Do I Tour Assisted Living Communities ?

West Chicago has 50 facilities in the local area so it is important to tour several assisted living facilities before choosing the best one for your senior family member. That way you'll discover what options are available and will have an easier time narrowing down your choices. Call or get in touch with A Place for Mom and we'll help you create a tour at your most wanted community.

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

• Are there any outdoor spaces that residents can enjoy? If so, are they kept neat and nice looking?
• Can your staff administer prescription medication?
• Do you have a nurse on-site 24/7?
• Do you include all of your services in the monthly cost? If not, just how much are additional services?
• Will your policy require an initial evaluation prior to move in?
• Will there be a waitlist? If so, how many people are currently on it?
• What apartment types can be found and what are their price ranges?
• What are the current residents like?
• What are your billing and payment policies and procedures?
• What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Are the staff members interested? Friendly?
• What is your release policy?
• What sort of knowledge do your employees 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 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. 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 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 access to its assisted living facility data through its Department of Social Services website. Data available to review includes licensed assisted living facilities that are updated frequently, and details about 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 analysis and evaluation
• Provide personal and health services 24 hours a day with personnel assisting with personal requirements such as showering, eating, and personal hygiene

How Do I Choose the Right Assisted Living Facility?

Choosing the best community for your senior family member is one of an important decisions you can make. Throughout your tour, consider the caliber of health care that your family member may receive. Your choice of “if, when and where to move” resides specifically with you as well as your family, so consider what criteria are ultimately essential 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 events well attended? Does the staff seem to be to be taking pleasure in the activity as well? Have a look at the facility calendar of occasions. Do they meet your loved one’s pursuits? Do the activities and events vary in size and type? Do they feature excursions and trips from the facility? If it's important to you and your family, don’t forget to ask about religious services.
• Cleanliness: Does the facility feel clean and fresh? Make sure to look beyond the furnishings and into baseboards, corners, and windows. Ask how frequently 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 enquire about laundry procedures. Ask for particulars on what's available and at what price.
• Friendliness: The demeanor and friendliness of the personnel are of the most importance. Make sure you witness some employees communicating with current residents. Do they listen and make eye contact? Make sure to get a good understanding 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 can help you understand the goals and objectives of the facility. It is important that you have confidence in the facility’s staff.
• Meals: Much like most of us, the dining area experience is very important to seniors. When touring communities, it is valuable to discuss entree choices and learn about dining hours, options, and policies. Make sure you and your loved one try a meal at facility. It's not only a terrific way to try the meals, 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 families, past and present, for their honest views about the community. Many facilities have a resident council that will be pleased to reply any of your questions. Go to our website to read a number of the 1476 reviews from families who've shared their opinions of individual communities.
• Security and safety: Security and safety features are incredibly important and offer reassurance for the caregiver. Make sure that restrooms are accessible and also have grab bars in convenient places. Ask how residents call the staff if indeed they have an an urgent situation within their living area. Learn about other safety features available in living quarters and throughout the facility. Be sure you learn about staffing routines to determine who is on-site at all times to help residents. Are there registered nurses on-site? How do staffing patterns differ at night? How does the facility assist or manage residents’ medication needs?
• Trust your gut: When you are visiting, be sure you think about yourself or your loved one essentially living at the facility. Can you imagine your loved one being secure? Do you feel at ease? Are the team members and residents receptive, welcoming and amiable?

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in West Chicago, Illinois?

The A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index states that the typical cost of assisted living in the West Chicago region ranged from $1500 to $9540 per month. Costs for assisted living communities may differ widely depending on features, area, and services, consequently looking into surrounding suburbs and towns may offer you more versatility.

How to Pay for Assisted Living

Many family members finance a move to assisted living through the sales of a residence or personal savings, but for some persons, this won't be an option. Here are three other strategies that may help you pay for assisted living:

1. Life Insurance Policies: If the parent or senior loved one you are helping move into assisted living has a life insurance policy, you could be in a position to cash out the plan and obtain money right away. Different policies and limitations apply based on the kind of insurance policy you have, so contact a monetary advisor or eldercare lawyer to learn more about your options and to determine what’s best for your circumstances.
2. Reverse Mortgages: For senior couples who may have different health care needs, a reverse mortgage could be a good approach for just one person to move into assisted living while another remains at 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, call 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, in particular, 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 may also be able to receive benefits. With the current average age of U.S. veterans at 64 years old, it’s worthwhile to find out if your loved one may be eligible 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 Community

Finding the right assisted living facility is a significant decision, both for a senior and for their relatives.

Listed below are five points 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 main one you like isn't available, inquire about the waitlist and what the facility’s plan is for administering it. Many facilities will require a deposit plus some communities have internal lists for special care needs. Here's where doing your homework can seriously pay off - plan ahead!
3. Is there a patio space? For many residents making the transition from a private residence to assisted living means leaving behind a beloved garden or back yard, so having access to a gardening area, an outdoor patio or a courtyard is definitely essential. Many larger assisted living communities offer a selection of outdoor space, with features such as BBQ places, gardens, and walking paths for community events.
4. What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Will this community give your cherished one with the help and support they need? According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 25% of assisted living facilities have a ratio of 1 personal care assistants for each and every 23 residents. Staffing may differ widely depending on the size of the facility, so make sure to ask about the features you are looking for.
5. What services are within the monthly charge? Before signing the contract, it’s a good idea to understand what is included in the basic fee structure and what might incur an extra charge. Some facilities employ a fee-for-service model, or a la carte pricing, which means they charge a monthly rate for rent and meals but supplemental costs for things like medication management. Others may use a tiered pricing model where different degrees of service are charged distinct service fees.

What Else Should I Consider When Choosing a Community?

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

Below are a few things to take into account during your search:

• Be sure to look 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 come to be tempted by the features and services you might choose for yourself, but finally it comes down to what will work best for your family member.
• Focus on the present, not the past. Will your loved one need help bathing and dressing? Do they have special needs like limited vision or special diet plans? Would they enjoy the perks of a larger facility or be more happy in a smaller, more intimate environment? Take into account the here and now, not what might have been their choice ten or 15 years back.
• Plan to see at least 3 to 5 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 selecting the most appropriate assisted living facility can be difficult, but there are solutions which can help. Call A Place for Mom today - we can help save you time and money and help you make the right choice.