You want them to enjoy a fulfilling retirement lifestyle. That may include helping them find the right living option — the one that suits them now, and for years to come. Park Place of Elmhurst has the information you need to understand your retirement community options to help your loved ones make the right choice.
Depending on circumstances, your loved ones might need your help to make the right choice. And we can help you help them.
Call today:
1-630-936-4100
Sorting through the options
While no two retirement communities are exactly alike, understanding the types of living options, the levels of care and general terms will give you a good base of knowledge to compare different communities.
Independent Living
For people who can live independently and have no exceptional medical needs requiring care, there are several options for a maintenance-free lifestyle. The following types of independent living communities are often age-restricted for those 62 or older, but some set the minimum age at 55
Active adult communities are typically centered around a golf course or other attraction, and residents purchase a house or townhouse. Amenities vary, but often include a club house and fitness center. Available services are limited, and typically don’t include meals, transportation or access to care.
Residential communities are most often age-restricted apartments available on a rental basis. Amenities vary, and services may include one or more daily meals, transportation and housekeeping, usually available á la carte. Access to care is rarely included.
CCRC
Independent living at a CCRC (continuing care retirement community) typically includes a choice of apartments, or cottages/villas if available, along with comprehensive services and amenities, and a wide range of educational and social activities. Priority access to on-site health care services is included, making the CCRC option a flexible, long-term choice for both active independent living and aging in place.
Continuing care retirement communities CCRCs like Park Place offer a wide range of residences for independent living, as well as a continuum of care including assisted living and skilled nursing – additional care services may be available, such as memory support, rehabilitation or respite care. The complete continuum of care is available on the Park Place campus through Park Place Health & Wellness Center.
At most CCRCs, it’s possible to join the community at any level. Residents who come in at the independent level typically pay an upfront entrance fee and monthly fee that covers services and amenities, such as meals, housekeeping, maintenance, transportation and more. CCRCs may offer various contract (residency agreement) options and entrance fees may be non-refundable or up to 100 percent refundable, and rental options may also be available. Some contracts include health care benefits that help offset health care costs if residents need assisted living, skilled nursing or other care in the future. A Life Care retirement community, such as Park Place, is a type of CCRC.
Assisted Living
For people who need assistance with the tasks of daily living, aides help with activities such as dressing, showering, medication and moving about. The level of assistance is customized to individual needs and priced accordingly.
Whether a standalone assisted living community or a neighborhood within a CCRC, such as you’ll find at Park Place, residents typically live in a private or shared apartment and receive three daily meals, inclusive services and amenities, as well as customized care; some also offer Memory Support. Comprehensive assisted living services are available at Park Place Health & Wellness Center.
Memory Support
Memory support, sometimes called memory or dementia care, is specialized care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.
It’s available at dedicated residential care centers, some assisted living communities and at many CCRCs, including Park Place Health & Wellness Center. Residents live in private or shared suites and receive three daily meals, supportive services and amenities. Care is customized to individual needs and priced accordingly. Often, separate secure neighborhoods are available for residents in early stages of dementia and those in moderate-to-advanced stages.
Skilled Nursing
Professional nursing services are provided at standalone nursing care communities (commonly called “nursing homes”), or, as is the case at Park Place Health & Wellness Center, at skilled nursing facilities within CCRCs. Rooms may be private or semi-private, and most offer rehabilitation therapies and specialized care to aid recovery from surgery or illness. Many offer long-term care for individuals who need 24-hour nursing, and hospice care may also be available. Skilled nursing care is typically charged at a daily rate.
Call Park Place Health & Wellness Center at 630-936-4100 to find out more about how we can help you find the right level of care for your loved ones.
Rehabilitation Therapies
Some communities offer support services for rehabilitation after illness or injury. These services can include short- and long-term nursing care, as well as occupational, physical, speech and other rehabilitation therapies.
Services are provided on site by a staff of licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants, and can include post-surgical care, orthopedic and post-stroke rehabilitation, IV therapies, cardiac recovery, wound care management, pulmonary rehabilitation and more. At Park Place Health & Wellness Center, we offer high-quality, results-driven physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.
The allure of maintenance-free living.
For many people, the time comes when the burdens of maintaining a private home become overwhelming and the idea of maintenance-free living is increasingly attractive. If your loved ones are feeling that way, your role may be to help them find the right option, or simply support and encourage their decision. If they need convincing, however, you may want to start the conversation.
If health care isn’t an immediate or near-term concern, you may be thinking an active adult community or age-restricted residential community is the right choice. However, the need for health care often arises sooner than we think. Choosing an option that provides independent living now and a plan for care in the future, if ever needed, is a good idea. That option is a continuing care retirement community, which includes Life Care retirement communities like Park Place.
Why choose a CCRC for Independent Living?
The decision to move from a family home to a retirement community packs an emotional punch for most people. So it makes sense to choose a community that suits your loved ones now – and also offers care services they may need in the future. Experts say about 70 percent of Americans who reach the age of 65 will need long-term care at some point. With its full range of living and care options, a CCRC offers the most flexible, long-term choice for both active independent living and future quality health care.
What does a CCRC offer?
Communities vary in many ways, but all CCRCs offer a full range of living options, including independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing. Additional care services may also be available, such as memory support, respite care and rehabilitation.
How can I tell if independent living is right for my loved ones?
If they’ve been living independently, they’re healthy and are managing minor medical concerns on their own, independent living is probably the right choice. If you have any doubts, there are signs to look for that can help you assess the situation before calling on expert help to determine the level of care needed.
What does it cost to live at a CCRC?
Costs vary from one CCRC to another, and among various contract options at a single CCRC. Where available, contract options are designed to fit different situations and desires, so it’s a good idea to sit down with a community counselor for an explanation and cost comparison.
Typically, residents who join at the independent level pay an upfront entrance fee, based on choice of residence, and a monthly fee that covers services and amenities. Entrance fees can vary from non-refundable up to 100 percent refundable, and rental options may also be available.
Some contracts include health care benefits that help offset future health care costs if residents need assisted living, skilled nursing or some other level of care in the future. When your loved ones become residents of a Life Care retirement community like Park Place, they can age in place with security and peace of mind, knowing they won’t have to move to receive higher levels of care. If they ever need assisted living, memory support or skilled nursing and rehabilitation, they have guaranteed priority access that care right here at Park Place, at predictable monthly fees well below the market rates. They’ll never lose their residence or their access to health care, even if their financial resources are depleted. It’s care for life – hence, Life Care.
For more information on residential options at Park Place, call us at 630-333-4343.
When additional health care may be needed.
Are you noticing changes in your loved ones’ behavior that seems to indicate a decline in their health? Are you helping your loved ones more often, taking on more responsibility, and worrying more? When someone’s health declines, often the family member who lives closest takes on caregiving or care-coordinating responsibility. If that’s your situation, it’s important to realize you’re not alone. You don’t have to do it all. You have resources you can count on.
Signs to look for
If you’re noticing two or more of the following behaviors or changes, it’s time to talk with your loved one about your concerns. It may also be time to get some help from family members or experts.
Forgetting to take medication or not taking it as directed
Not eating properly and regularly
Unexplained weight loss
Missing appointments
Increase in accidents or bruises
Frequent emergency room visits
Neglecting the bills
Unusually cluttered or dirty house
Change in personal hygiene
Loss of interest in social activities
Changes in mood or confusion
Work together as a family
If you have siblings or other family members who can help, talk to them. Make sure they know your concerns. Set up a family meeting or conference call if necessary. Discuss the situation, divide responsibilities and agree on an action plan where everyone has a role. Schedule a time to regroup and make sure everything is being accomplished.
Talk to your loved one
Share your concerns about her or her well-being and the plan you’ve developed with other family members. It may be a difficult conversation, or he or she may be relieved you care. Most importantly, you’ll be doing something now that could well be heading off an emergency situation in the future.
Ask the experts
There are many experts available to help, from your loved one’s physicians, to mediators who can help families at odds, geriatric care managers and dozens of other resources. Park Place also invites you to rely on our expertise. Contact us online now, or call Park Place Health & Wellness Center at 630-936-4100 to schedule a private consultation with one of our health care experts. We’re here when you need us.
Health care resources for the help you need.
Are your loved ones thriving on their own, or just getting by? Are you seeing changes that raise concerns? Is it time to consider long-term care? What are the options? The costs? Where can you get the help you need? This list of resources is an excellent starting point.
Park Place of Elmhurst
Park Place Health & Wellness Center provides a full continuum of care, which includes assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. We’re a Providence Life Services community, with headquarters in Tinley Park, IL. Since 1914, Providence Life Services has provided residential accommodations and services to Chicago-area seniors. Providence Life Services now operates 10 communities in Illinois and Michigan, serving the needs of thousands of residents and clients each year. Providence Life Services operates under the core value that people deserve better care, and we continue to develop new services to meet new needs.
For more information on Park Place or Providence Life Services, please call 630-333-4343.
AARP
The nation’s leading organization for people age 50 and older. www.aarp.org
Administration on Aging
Site provides an overview on a variety of topics, programs and services related to aging. www.aoa.gov
Alzheimer’s Association
The world leader in Alzheimer’s research and support. The first and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer’s. www.alz.org
American Geriatrics Society
The premier professional organization of health care providers dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all older adults. www.americangeriatrics.org
American Health Assistance Foundation
A charitable organization dedicated to funding research on age-related and degenerative diseases, educating the public about these diseases, and providing emergency financial assistance to persons with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. www.ahaf.org
American Heart Association
Offers information on heart attacks, strokes and family health. www.americanheart.org
Arthritis Foundation
Provides information on arthritis: types, treatments, coping tips and research information. www.arthritis.org
Care Managers
Referral sites to locate geriatric care managers who assess needs, identify and coordinate care resources. www.caring.com www.caremanager.org
Care Pathways
Site created and maintained by RNs to provide older adults and their families access to quality health care information, products and services. www.carepathways.com
Healthfinder
A government website with links to health-related information resources on the Internet. www.healthfinder.gov
LeadingAge
An association of 5,600 not-for-profit organizations working together to enable and empower people to live fully as they age. www.leadingage.org
Medicare
Official U.S. government Medicare site. www.medicare.gov
Medicare Rights Center
The largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare. www.medicarerights.org
National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care
Site developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide information and resources to help you and your family plan for future long-term care needs. www.longtermcare.gov
RetirementHomes.com
The Internet’s most visited and most comprehensive senior living resource for retirement communities, as well as assisted living, senior housing, nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities. www.RetirementHomes.com
WebMD
WebMD is the leading provider of online information, research, educational services and communities for physicians and consumers. www.webmd.com
