10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in O'Fallon, IL

Assisted Living in O'Fallon, Illinois

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a kind of senior care and housing that gives residents support for activities of daily living (ADLs). Residents typically receive support for bathing, dressing, medication administration, and meals. Different from a skilled nursing community 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 amenities in a community setting. Some assisted living communities also provide support for seniors with certain medical necessities such as for example cognitive loss due to Alzheimer s disease or dementia, diabetes, or incontinence care.

For anyone who is unsure about what sort of care your loved one needs, consult with a medical professionall who can help you decide on the best kind of care. Additionally, our Senior Living Advisors are available to answer any of your concerns and help you look for a senior care community that meets your needs.

What Is Senior Living Like in O'Fallon, IL?

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

With regards to deciding on senior living, there are many things to consider, from the level of care and support to life style, location and more. O'Fallon, IL has many options to help you make a confident and educated 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 individuals 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 persons from their own generation.
• Independent Living:Independent living is a type of senior housing for seniors who now live independently but want to live in a community setting with additional seniors. This kind of senior housing typically has community events, entertainment, excursions, and often 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, giving seniors a continuum of care. A person can spend the remainder 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, 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 looking after a loved one. That is a great alternative for caregivers and seniors researching ways to remain active and involved 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 solutions similar to assisted living communities, 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 management, and more. Amenities and services can differ greatly but commonly there is staff on hand around the clock to aid residents with requirements as they arise. Residents also typically have a care plan that is on a regular basis monitored and adapted as requirements change as time passes.
• Memory Care:This sort of care can be for seniors with Alzheimer s disease and other varieties of dementia. These communities are usually specifically planned to ensure that residents don’t get lost or wander. They provide dementia-friendly meal plans and life enhancing activities that encourage engagement and social interaction.
• Nursing Homes/Skilled Nursing communities:Nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing communities, are for seniors who require the highest degree of 24- hour health care, including those people who are bedridden. Nursing homes are also used 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 may also refer to in-home caregiving services used for only a brief period. Family caregivers make use of 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 place, but a philosophy of attention that sees death as a natural part of life, and seeks to support people meet this end with dignity and grace. This means comforting the individual on an emotional level and physically while aiding their loved ones as they navigate any end of life decisions.

What Services Are Available?

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

Other services often within assisted living include:

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

How Do I Tour Assisted Living Communities ?

O'Fallon has 223 communities in the region so it is important to tour several assisted living communities before finding the right one for your senior loved one. That way you will discover what options can be found and will have an easier time narrowing down your alternatives. Call or get in touch with A Place for Mom and we will help you put together a tour at your most wanted community.

Below are a few of some 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 neat and tidy?
• 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 rate? If not, just how much are extra services?
• Does your policy require a preliminary assessment prior to admission?
• Is there a waitlist? If so, how many persons are currently on it?
• What apartment types can be found and what exactly are their price ranges?
• What are the existing residents like?
• What exactly are your invoicing and payment policies and methods?
• What’s the staff-to-resident ratio? Are the personnel interested? Friendly?
• What’s your release plan?
• What sort of knowledge do your employees 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. 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 usage of its assisted living community records through itsDepartment of Social Serviceswebsite. Info open to review includes licensed assisted living communities that are updated frequently, 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 personnel assisting with personal needs such as dressing, eating, and hygiene

How Do I Choose the Right Assisted Living community?

Choosing the best community for your senior loved one is usually one of the most crucial decisions you may make. Throughout your tour, consider the standard of health care that your family member may receive. Your choice of ‘‚¬Å“if, when and where to move resides specifically with you and your family member, so consider what criteria are ultimately important to you and your family member.

• Activities:It s smart to try to schedule your tour in conjunction with community get-togethers. Ask the manager if you can look at the activities as well as get involved. Are the activities and occasions well attended? Does the personnel seem to be to be enjoying the activity as well? Have a look at the community calendar of events. Do they meet your loved one s pursuits? Do the activities and events vary in size and type? Do they include outings and trips away from the community? If it’s important to you and your family, don t forget to inquire about faith based services.
• Cleanliness:Does the community feel clean and fresh? Be sure to look past the furnishings and into baseboards, corners, and windows. Ask how often housekeeping services are provided in the individual living area. 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 details on what’s made available and at what cost.
• Friendliness:The attitude and friendliness of the staff are of the utmost importance. Make sure that you witness several workers interacting with current occupants. Do they listen and make eye contact? Make sure to acquire a good knowledge of the staffing pattern. How many people are actually involved in residents care? Be sure you receive an introduction to the management team. This can help you understand the goals and objectives of the community. It is important that you have confidence in the community s personnel.
• Meals:As with most of us, the dining area experience is important to seniors. When visiting communities, it is beneficial to go over entree choices and find out about dining hours, options, and policies. Be sure you and your loved one try a meal at community. It’s not only a terrific way to try the food, but it s a great opportunity to meet other people. Make sure you go over what goes on 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 views about the community. Many communities have a resident council which will be happy to reply any of your concerns. Check out our website to read over a number of the 830 reviews from family members who’ve shared their thoughts of specific communities.
• Security and safety:Security and safety features are very important and offer reassurance for the caregiver. Make sure that washrooms are accessible and have grab bars in convenient places. Ask how residents get in touch with the staff if they have an an urgent situation in their living area. Learn about other basic safety features available in living quarters and through the entire community. Make sure you find out about staffing schedules to determine who is on-site consistently to assist residents. Are there registered nurses on-site? How do staffing patterns differ during the night? How will the community assist or manage residents medication requirements?
• Trust your gut:When you are visiting, make sure you think about yourself or your family member essentially living at the community. Can you imagine your family member feeling relaxed? Do you really feel at ease? Are the staff and residents open, inviting and amiable?

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in O'Fallon, Illinois?

The A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index states that the average cost of assisted living in the O'Fallon region ranged from $3,688 to $6,783 per month. Charges for assisted living communities can vary widely depending on amenities, area, and services, consequently looking into nearby suburbs and towns could possibly give you more versatility.

How to Pay for Assisted Living

Many families finance a move to assisted living through the sales of a residence or personal savings, but for some persons, this might not be an choice. Listed below are three other resources that will assist you finance assisted living:

1. Life Insurance Policies:If the parent or senior family member you are assisting transfer to assisted living has a life insurance policy, you may well be in a position to cash out the insurance policy and get the funds right now. Different regulations and constraints apply depending on the kind of coverage you have, so call a monetary advisor or eldercare legal professionall to determine more about your alternatives and to evaluate what s ideal for your circumstances.
2. Reverse Mortgages:For senior couples who may have different care requirements, a reverse mortgage can be a good method for one person to go into assisted living while another resides in the home while their partner transitions to senior living. A reverse mortgage makes it possible for homeowners aged 62 or older to borrow on their home equity. To learn more, call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to find a reverse mortgage counseling agency near you or contact theIllinois 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 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 determine if your family member may qualify for benefits. To find out more on benefits for veterans, see our ‘‚¬”Guide to VA Benefits and Long-Term Care, contact theIllinois Department of Veterans Affairsor go towww.va.gov.

For more ideas about how to finance 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

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

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

1. How many staff are on hand to assist during the night?Some assisted living communities provide 24×7 nursing staff, while some may have more generalized help on hand after hours.
2. Will there be a waitlist?Popular communities can fill fast. If the one you like isn’t available, inquire about the waitlist and what the community s plan is for administering it. Many communities will ask for a deposit plus some communities have internal lists for special care needs. Here is where doing your homework can genuinely pay back – plan in advance!
3. Is there an outdoor space?For many residents making the transition from a private residence to assisted living means leaving behind a beloved lawn or back yard, so gaining access to a gardening area, an outdoor patio or a courtyard is essential. Many larger assisted living communities offer a range of yard, with features such as BBQ places, gardens, and jogging paths for community events.
4. What is the staff-to-resident ratio?Will this community provide your loved one with the support they need? According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 25% of assisted living communities have a ratio of 1 personal care associates for each and every 23 residents. Staffing can vary widely depending on the size of the community, so be certain to ask about the features you are searching for.
5. What services are included in the monthly fee?Before signing the contract, it s smart to understand what is included in the basic fee arrangement and what might incur an additional fee. Some communities employ a fee-for-service model, or a la carte pricing, this means they charge a monthly fee for rent and meals but extra charges for things like medication management. Others could use a tiered pricing model where different degrees of care are billed distinct 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 an intimidating task. That s where our Senior Living Advisors can assist – they are specialists in helping match seniors to the communities that will be the best fit for his or her care requirements, personality, and budget.

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

• Be sure to look for your family member, not you.Today s assisted living communities offer everything from homey conditions to upscale resort-style luxury living. It can be easy to come to be influenced by the features and creature comforts you may choose for yourself, but in the end it comes down to what will function best for your family member.
• Concentrate on the present, not the past.Does your loved one need support bathing and dressing? Do they have special needs like limited eye-sight or special meal plans? Would they enjoy the perks of a larger community or be more contented in a smaller, more personal setting? Take into account the here and now, not what might have been their choice ten or 15 years back.
• Arrange to tour at least 3 to 5 communities, if you can.Start with planned visits 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 alternatives. And don t hesitate to ask questions and take notes while you re there.

The process of selecting the most appropriate assisted living community can be overwhelming, but there are resources that can help. Call A Place for Mom today – we can help save you time and money and make it easier for you make a good choice.