Assisted Living near Westmont, IL

Assisted Living in Westmont, Illinois

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a kind of senior care and housing that provides 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 facility where residents receive around-the-clock nursing care, assisted living facilities give residents access to care while as well as offering a variety of activities and amenities in a community setting. Some assisted living communities provide support for seniors with particular medical requirements such as for example cognitive loss due to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, diabetes, or incontinence health care.

Should you be unsure about what sort of care your loved one needs, speak with a medical expert who can help you decide on the best kind of care. Also, our Senior Living Advisors are standing by to answer any of your inquiries and help you find a senior care facility that meets your preferences.

What Is Senior Living Like in Westmont, IL?

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

When it comes to choosing senior living, there are numerous things to consider, from the level of attention and support to standard of living, location and more. Westmont, IL provides many choices in order to 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 simply like apartments for people of all ages, but they have an age restriction; typically residents must be older than 55 or 62. Older adults typically 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 now live independently but want to reside in a community setting with various other seniors. This kind of senior housing commonly has community events, activities, outings, and sometimes 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 seniors a continuum of 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,” although it does require leaving one’s original residence.
• Adult Day Care: Adult day care can provide respite care for caregivers who remain working while also caring for a loved one. That is a great alternative for caregivers and seniors researching ways to remain active and engaged while living in the home and receiving home care solutions.
• Residential Care Home/Board and Care: Care homes are typical homes in residential neighborhoods which have been adapted to care for a small group of residents. Offering services similar to assisted living communities, care homes specialize in providing individualized care in a home-like setting.
• Assisted Living: Assisted living gives residents assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, personal grooming, medication supervision, and more. Amenities and services can range greatly but typically there is staff available around the clock to support residents with necessities as they arise. Residents likewise routinely have a care plan that is regularly monitored and adapted as needs change over time.
• Memory Care: This type of attention is definitely for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. These communities 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 encourage engagement and social interaction.
• Nursing Homes/Skilled Nursing Facilities: Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, are for seniors who require the highest degree of 24- hour care, including those who are bedridden. Nursing homes are also utilized by seniors for rehabilitation following a hospitalization.
• Respite Care/Short-Term Stay Respite: This care typically refers to a short-term stay at a long-term care facility. Respite care can also refer to in-home caregiving services used for only a short period. Family caregivers use 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 term “hospitality,” hospice isn't a location, but a philosophy of care that sees loss of life as a natural part of life, and seeks to assist individuals meet this end with dignity and grace. This means comforting the patient psychologically and physically while supporting their friends and family 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 services.

Other amenities often found in assisted living include:

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

How Do I Tour Assisted Living Communities ?

Westmont has 50 facilities in the local area so it is essential to tour several assisted living communities before choosing the best one for your senior loved one. That way you'll 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 will help you put together a tour at your most wanted community.

Here are some of the best questions you should be prepared to ask during your walk through:

• Are there any outdoor spaces that residents can enjoy? If so, are they kept neat and tidy?
• Can your staff provide prescription medication?
• Do you have a nurse on-site 24/7?
• Do you include your services in the monthly fee? If not, just how much are extra services?
• Does your policy include an initial assessment prior to admission?
• Is there a waitlist? If so, how many persons are currently on it?
• What accommodation types are available and what exactly are their costs?
• What are the existing residents like?
• What are your billing and payment guidelines and procedures?
• What's the staff-to-resident ratio? Are the personnel interested? Friendly?
• What's your release plan?
• What sort of know-how do your workers 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. As a consequence 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 regularly, and information 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 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 per day with personnel assisting with personal requirements such as showering, eating, and hygiene

How Do I Choose the best Assisted Living Community?

Choosing the best facility for your senior loved one can be one of an important decisions you can make. Throughout your visit, 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 consider what criteria are truly essential to you and your loved one.

• Activities: It’s a good idea to try to schedule your tour in conjunction with facility events. Ask the manager if you can look at the activities and even get involved. Are the activities and events well attended? Does the personnel seem to be taking pleasure in the entertainment as well? Have a look at the facility calendar of get-togethers. Do they meet your loved one’s interests? Do the activities and events vary in size and type? Do they feature outings and trips away from the facility? If it's essential to yourself, don’t forget to ask about faith based services.
• Cleanliness: Does the community feel clean and fresh? Be sure to look past the fixtures and into baseboards, corners, and windows. Ask how frequently house cleaning services are provided in the private living space. Make sure you get full information on the types of repair provided and the approximated response times. Don’t forget to ask about laundry procedures. Ask for specifics on what is available and at what cost.
• Friendliness: The demeanor and friendliness of the staff are of the most importance. Make sure that you watch multiple staff members mingling with current residents. Do they pay attention and make eye contact? Make sure to receive a good knowledge of the staffing routine. Just how many people are in fact involved with residents’ care? Make sure you receive 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 community’s team members.
• Meals: Much like most of us, the dining area experience is essential to seniors. When visiting communities, it is beneficial to go over entree choices and learn about dining hours, options, and policies. Make sure you and your family member try a meal at facility. Not only is it the best way to try the cuisine, but it’s a great opportunity to meet other people. Make sure to go over what happens if a resident is not able to make it to the dining area for meals.
• Reputation: Ask residents and families, past and present, for his or her honest opinions about the community. Many facilities have a resident council that will be happy to answer all of your concerns. Visit our website to see some of the 1358 reviews from families who have shared their impressions of specific communities.
• Safety and security: Safety and security features are extremely important and provide reassurance for the caregiver. Make 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 available in living quarters and throughout the community. Be sure you learn about staffing routines to determine who is on-site consistently to aid residents. Are there registered nurses on-site? How do staffing patterns differ at night? How will the community assist or manage residents’ medication requirements?
• Trust your gut: When you are touring, be sure to consider yourself or your family member truly living at the community. Can you imagine your family member feeling comfortable? Do you really feel at ease? Are the staff and residents open, welcoming and friendly?

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Westmont, Illinois?

The A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index states that the typical cost of assisted living in the Westmont area ranged from $1500 to $10880 per month. Costs for assisted living facilities can vary widely based on amenities, neighborhood, and services, as a result looking into surrounding suburbs and towns could offer you further flexibility.

How to Pay for Assisted Living

Many people finance a move to assisted living through the sales of a house or personal savings, but for some persons, this might not be an choice. Here are three additional resources 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 could be able to cash out the policy and receive money immediately. Different policies and limitations apply according to the type of policy you have, so contact an economic advisor or eldercare legal professional to find out more about your alternatives and to assess what’s most useful for your situation.
2. Reverse Mortgages: For senior couples who may have different care needs, a reverse mortgage can be a good way for just one person to move into assisted living while another remains at home while his or her partner transitions to senior living. A reverse mortgage makes it possible for 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 look for a reverse mortgage counseling agency in your area 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 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 1 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 existing average age of U.S. veterans at 64 years old, it’s worthwhile to learn if your family member may be eligible for benefits. To find out 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 how to pay for your move to senior living, contact 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 an important decision, both for a senior and for their family members.

Here are five things to consider when thinking about making the move to assisted living:

1. How many staff are available 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 fast. If the main one you like isn't available, inquire about the waitlist and what the community’s policy is for administering it. Many communities will ask for a deposit plus some communities have internal lists for special health care needs. Here is where doing all your homework can seriously pay off - plan ahead!
3. Will there be an outdoor space? For most residents making the transition from a private home to assisted living means leaving behind a beloved yard or back yard, so having access to a gardening area, an outdoor patio or a courtyard is valuable. Many larger assisted living communities offer a range of yard, with features such as for example BBQ areas, gardens, and going for walks paths for facility events.
4. What's the staff-to-resident ratio? Will this community give your cherished one with the support they need? Based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 25% of assisted living communities have a ratio of one personal care assistants for every 23 residents. Staffing may differ widely depending on the size of the community, so be certain to ask about the services you are interested in.
5. What services are within the monthly fee? Before signing the contract, 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, this means they charge a monthly fee for rent and meals but supplemental charges for things such as medication management. Others might use a tiered pricing model where different degrees of care are billed different charges.

What Else Should I Consider When Choosing a Facility?

With so many choices to choose from, finding the right assisted living facility 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 are the best fit for his or her care requirements, personality, and budget.

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

• Make sure you 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 is easy to be swayed by the features and amenities you might choose for yourself, but in the end it comes down to what will function best for your family member.
• Focus on the present, not the past. Will your loved one need support bathing and dressing? Do they have special requirements like limited eyesight or special meal plans? Would they like the benefits of a larger facility or be more comfortable in a smaller, more intimate setting? Think about the here and now, not what might have been their choice ten or 15 years ago.
• Plan to see at least 3 to 5 communities, when you can. Start with planned 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 choosing the right assisted living community is often complicated, but there are solutions which can help. Call A Place for Mom today - we are able to help save you time and money and make it easier for you make a good choice.