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Montgomery Place follows the guidelines and recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and both the Illinois and Chicago Departments of Public Health.

All Resident, Staff, Guests and Vendors, must be fully vaccinated to enter Montgomery Place.

On September 23, 2021, The Resident Council of Montgomery Place adopted the following policy:

“The highest standard of protection from communicable diseases in this congregate living environment requires that all Residents be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and Influenza on schedules recommended by the CDC (Center for Disease Control), the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Chicago Department of Public Health. The Montgomery Place Residents’ Association hereby adopts this standard for all Independent Living Residents of Montgomery Place.”

To provide continuity to this policy, the Administration of Montgomery Place and Board of Directors have enacted a policy that all Staff, Guests, Visitors, and Vendors must be fully-vaccinated.

Requirements while visiting Montgomery Place:

• Stay Home if you don’t feel well in any manner, are experiencing any symptoms associated with Covid-19, or have been exposed to any symptomatic person or confirmed case of Covid-19. Additionally, be aware and abide by Chicago’s travel advisories, if applicable

• Mask-wearing is strictly enforced. Cloth masks are not allowed. Please wear a fitted mask covering both your mouth and nose at all times. *Unless eating or drinking

• Sanitize your hands upon entry to Montgomery Place, and wash your hands with soap and water, as often as possible, while visiting

• Registration with Reception is required, as well as providing your vaccination card and completing the screening

Montgomery Place is fully open to all Guests, Visitors and Vendors on all levels of living, including Independent, Assisted, Long Term Care and Rehabilitation.

Currently, guest dining is NOT being allowed in Assisted Living (Floor 3) or Skilled Nursing, Long Term Care, and Rehabilitation (Floor 2).

As always, thank you for your cooperation and diligence in supporting the health, wellness, and welfare of our Residents and Staff.

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please contact Paul Zappoli, Chief Operations Officer, at pzappoli@montgomeryplace.org or at 773.358.7042.

A Letter from Michael M. McGarry, President and CEO:

Dear Friends,

When I became the President and CEO of Montgomery Place in December 2021, after serving on the Board of Directors for almost 20 years, I knew I had hills ahead of me to climb, however I barely began to ascend when the Omnicron surge descended upon us in late December.

My immediate thought was protecting the health and welfare of the Residents and Staff at Montgomery Place. The fact that all Residents and Staff are 100% fully-vaccinated provided me with peace of mind. I’ll share with you that the decision to institute a vaccine-mandate at Montgomery Place was a tough decision, as we assumed that we would lose dedicated staff, who made the personal decision to remain unvaccinated. However, we believed that following the scientific guidance and recommendations would help Montgomery Place weather the pandemic storm. The fact remains that those decisions helped us find great success in mitigating the virus and managing its effects.

My secondary thoughts were guided towards maintaining everyday life and services at Montgomery Place. How were we going to address meals and events, visiting guests and cleaning residences? The truth is…we didn’t need to reinvent the wheel, so to speak. Our Teams sought guidance and reflection from their history of serving our Residents in 2020, and they activated those plans seamlessly. While the Omnicron Surge presented new and different obstacles, the servant leadership of our Team soared and I couldn’t be more proud to lead this Team. The sheer gratitude I have for their commitment to our Residents and Montgomery Place is boundless. I take comfort knowing that our Residents are in good hands each and every day, and you should also.

What’s next? We remain vigilant in enforcing proper mask wearing and vaccinations for all who enter or live at Montgomery Place, we enforce mandatory twice weekly testing for all Staff, and we recommend and encourage frequent hand-washing. I often tell our Team that we are unaware of what tomorrow will bring, however tomorrow is not promised. So, know that we are making the very best decisions, with the most current data, for our Residents, Families and Staff for today. Yes, changes may be needed, but we are prepared to pivot in our vigilance.

Finally, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for our Residents, Families and Friends. Your words of encouragement, whether through phone calls or e-mails, to myself and other Team members, have provided us with so much strength and inspiration.

Change is inevitable and Montgomery Place, our greater community, and even the world have seen their share of change since 2020. Fact is, Montgomery Place has seen plenty of change in the last 30 years. Yet, we remain Chicago’s most inclusive and diverse Senior Living community, nestled within one the city’s cultural and social enclaves, along the shore of Lake Michigan. That fact is unmatched. However, equally unmatched is the fact that at Montgomery Place, we are a forever family of Residents, Families, Staff and Volunteers. Let’s continue to enjoy life together at Montgomery Place!

As you get older, you want to be able to enjoy those years, but you also need to face the reality that you may need a little assistance performing daily tasks. A continuing care retirement community (CCRC) may be a great solution. CCRC provides a continuum of care, beginning with independent living and providing tailored support all the way through end-of-life care. Many people assume that independent living communities are too expensive, but you may be surprised because you don’t know how much independent senior living costs. You may also be surprised by how affordable some facilities such as Montgomery Place can be.

What Is Independent Living?

Independent living communities are senior living communities that provide residents the flexibility of a healthy social and recreational life, with the convenience of services such as housekeeping and cooked meals. Admission to an independent living community is limited to only those older than 55 or 65 who require limited assistance.

Members of the independent living community are afforded the delicate balance of autonomy and convenience, unlike other types of senior living. For instance, nursing homes mainly focus on providing medical care or help with daily living activities such as bathing and dressing.

Types of Independent Living

As you search for your perfect retirement community, you will come across various independent living communities. These communities offer different levels of independence and convenience.

Senior Apartments

Of all independent living arrangements, senior apartments offer the most autonomy and some services. In senior apartments, you get an apartment with a serviced kitchen and bathroom, allowing you to maintain your privacy.

Residents of senior apartments share a common dining room, which encourages healthy socialization.

Retirement Homes

Although they are a type of independent living community, retirement homes offer varied living options for older adults, ranging from townhomes and apartments to stand-alone houses.

Retirement communities offer seniors independence while also providing convenient onsite services, such as:

• Meals

• Laundry

• Recreation

• Transportation, etc.

These additional services make retirement communities more expensive than senior apartments.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

These offer various senior living options, ranging from nursing home care to independent living, all within one community.

In these communities, you enjoy the flexibility of an active and social lifestyle with the comfort of readily available healthcare. Since continuing care retirement communities have nursing home care services, independent seniors have the convenience of having a permanent residence even when they become more dependent on caregivers.

Who Is a Good Fit for Independent Living?

With so many options, it can be challenging to determine which senior living arrangement is a good fit for you or your loved one.

The following seniors find independent living suitable for them:

• Adults who don’t need assistance with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, and management of medication

• Adults who enjoy their independent lifestyle and only want help with home maintenance and meal preparation

• Seniors who live alone and would like to interact with other peers through cordial social and recreational activities

• Retired adults who are ready to embrace a more laid-back and convenient lifestyle

Average Cost of Independent Living

Independent living facilities are all-inclusive, so instead of paying separate fees for different expenses, you can pay one lump sum every month. Costs vary widely depending upon how many services and amenities the community offers. While many independent living communities, like Montgomery Place, offer daily meals, housekeeping and laundry service, a wide variety of social activities, and staff members available 24/7, some offer even more amenities so you will pay more to live at those facilities.

If you’re wondering, “how much is senior living per month?” the answer may surprise you. Many communities offer base packages as low as $500 per month, and because these facilities are all-inclusive, the annual cost could be much cheaper than living on your own. However, you often have to pay an entrance fee to reserve your spot. This one-time cost varies drastically among senior living communities. If you choose to become a resident of a continuing care retirement community that will offer you different services as your needs become more extensive, this fee could be as much as $600,000. However, most facilities are more reasonably priced and have entrance started at as little as $1,800.

The Cost of Staying at Home or Moving to a Senior Community

At first, you may think that remaining in your traditional, family home throughout your retirement may be much more cost-efficient than moving to an independent living community like Montgomery Place. Many senior living facilities require a significant entrance fee, and staying at home allows you to avoid this cost. Montgomery Place offers leasing options, as well as partially refundable entrance fee-based leasing agreements. If you add up the costs of living on your own, you’ll find that the cost of senior living is comparable. Expenses from the following categories add up quickly.

• Housing: Rent or mortgage is one of the most significant expenses of living on your own. The average cost of rent or mortgage payment varies widely across the nation, but you can expect to pay approximately $1,200 per month just to keep a roof over your head. If you’ve owned your home for many years, you may not have a mortgage payment, but you’ll still have to pay property and HOA fees.

• Transportation: If you own a vehicle, you may have monthly payments that could be expensive. Even if the vehicle is already paid off, you’ll still have to pay for gas, maintenance, and repairs as needed.

• Groceries: You have to eat. Cooking for yourself is more cost-efficient than eating out every day, but the cost of feeding yourself can be expensive. On average, it takes $250 per month to feed one person three meals a day. If you want to consume a healthy, nutritious diet full of whole foods and organic fruits and vegetables, you could end up spending even more.

• Utilities: It costs money to keep the water running in your house and keep the lights on. You may also have to pay for trash removal or lawn care services each month.

What To Consider When Choosing an Independent Living Community

Before you settle for an independent living community, assess your options based on the following factors.

Social and Recreational Opportunities

Older adults who settle for an independent living want increased independence coupled with abundant social and recreational activities. They want to take part in hobbies and games with their peers.

Before choosing an independent living community, discover the social and recreational opportunities available. Ensure that the community offers a healthy combination of onsite and offsite activities to keep you or your loved one satisfactorily occupied.

Convenience Services and Amenities

The quality of services and amenities offered at an independent living community is a factor you should seriously consider. Find out how often the community conducts apartment cleaning, laundry, and other convenience services.

Before making a choice, you should also explore the entertainment and lifestyle amenities available. You should ensure your chosen community is appropriately serviced if you cannot live without a TV or theater room.

Dining Services

Few things are as important as food. Your dining experience contributes to your comfort and health. Find out whether your chosen option offers flexible meal plans suitable to your needs. Verify the number of meals offered and the expected mealtimes to know if your choice is a good fit.

Compare Actual Costs Before Deciding, Talk to Montgomery Place: Senior Living Community in Chicago Today

Whether you are looking into senior living options for yourself or a loved one, the independent living community at Montgomery Place is a great option for people looking for a place in Chicago, Illinois. We offer a wide variety of support services to help you live your best life while living as independently as possible.

If you would like more information on all Montgomery Place has to offer to see if our community is right for you, contact us today to schedule a tour.

Featured Image: Shutterstock /Yakobchuk Viacheslav

With our informational guide to skilled nursing care, you’ll learn:

• The key features of a skilled nursing care community

• The difference between a skilled nursing care community and a nursing home

• How to determine if a skilled nursing care community is the right fit for your needs

When considering long-term care for yourself or a loved one, it can be a challenge to understand the terminology used to describe different care options and the services they provide. For example, “skilled nursing care” is one of the most commonly used the terms that causes confusion.

Learning just what exactly “skilled nursing care,” is can assist you in making an informed decision about the care options that best align with your preferences, needs, and desired lifestyle.

What is Skilled Nursing Care?

Skilled nursing care is often used by patients recovering from a recent hospital stay as well as an option for individuals who need a higher level of care on a long-term or permanent basis. Some examples of the most common types of skilled nursing care services are:

• Wound care

• Physical therapy

• Occupational and/or speech therapy

• Intravenous (IV) therapy

• Catheter care

• Injections

• Monitoring of medical equipment and/or vital signs

• Memory care

A skilled nursing care community provides temporary or long-term residential care that includes the medically necessary services of physicians, licensed nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech therapists, and others. In addition to skilled services, patients may also receive assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing, bathing, and eating.

The distinction between skilled nursing care and skilled nursing care communities is one of location. Skilled nursing care is a specific description of a type of medical care that can be provided in a variety of settings, including a private residence or a continuing care community. A skilled nursing care community is a dedicated residence in which professional skilled nursing services are undertaken by on-site staff.

Skilled Nursing Care Community vs. Nursing Home

Another common question is, “What is the difference between a skilled nursing care community and a nursing home?” In some cases, they can be virtually the same thing – but that’s not always the case:

• Nursing homes are residential care communities for individuals who need a level of medical care and support that is not generally available in assisted living communities. In a nursing home, a staff of registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and/or certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide assistance with daily care.

• Skilled nursing care communities also provide 24/7 professional care but generally offer a broader range of medical services than a traditional nursing home. They are not always intended for long-term or permanent residence, with many exclusively used for rehabilitative care on a short-term basis. However, there are many skilled nursing homes that do provide long-term care.

If you’re still uncertain about how to choose between a skilled nursing care community or a nursing home, a skilled nursing care community might be the right fit if you need assistance with medical issues such as:

• Wound care

• Stroke recovery

• Terminal illness

• Rehabilitation after an operation or illness (post-hospital care)

• Serious memory issues

• 24/7 care

Keep in mind that there are some continuing care communities that offer senior skilled nursing care as an option for residents.

Montgomery Place: Skilled Nursing Care in Chicago, IL

Montgomery Place is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. It is just one such continuing care retirement community that provides skilled nursing care. These services are overseen by experienced physicians from the University of Chicago Medical Center. In addition to monitoring and guidance from UCMC physicians, seniors living in our community receive 24/7 care from our full on-site team of nurses, certified nursing assistants, and caregivers.

Montgomery Place also facilitates respite services in Chicago to support primary caregivers who are in need of a temporary care arrangement for their loved ones. Our compassionate, highly-trained team can provide you with the peace of mind of knowing that your loved one will be exceptionally well cared for in our respite accommodations while you take the time and space you need.

As an award-winning provider of continuing care, Montgomery Place is dedicated to creating a comfortable, welcoming environment where seniors can live with joy and dignity. For more information about our skilled nursing care, including services for memory support and pain management needs, we invite you to contact our team today.

Image Source: Dmytro Zinkevych / Shutterstock

This guide to senior moving options at Montgomery Place describes:

• Why moving can be a particularly stressful experience.

• How Montgomery Place moving services can alleviate stress.

• The benefits of having a moving manager.

Why We Offer Senior Living Moving Services

Unlike a nursing home, a senior living community, like Montgomery Place, allows you to live independently for as long as possible. That’s why we offer moving services – to make the transition into senior living even easier.

When you move into a Montgomery Place apartment, you may need to downsize. Our one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments are available both unfurnished and fully furnished. Either way, we can help make your transition to your new home as smooth as possible.

Montgomery Place Moving Services

Once you are ready to move into Montgomery Place, our Community Life Counselor will connect you with one of our approved moving service vendors. Our Community Life Counselor helps coordinate the logistics of your move: scheduling the date and time, reserving a freight elevator, coordinating the hand-over of the unit and orienting you to your new apartment and community.

You’ll also be introduced to one of our resident ambassadors who help welcome new residents, by inviting them to meals, and introducing them to other members of the community. Montgomery Place resident ambassadors make sure that the new residents are fully acclimated to the community, providing information about activities, committees, and events.

Our moving managers are dedicated to taking the guesswork and arduous planning out of our new residents moving experience. It is our goal to ensure that all our residents are comfortable and enjoy and thrive in the Montgomery Place senior living community.

Located on the banks of Lake Michigan on scenic South Shore Drive in Chicago, Montgomery Place is an independent and assisted senior living community dedicated to serve its residents, providing whatever services they require. Our community is located in the historic neighborhood of Hyde Park, home to the University of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, several Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings and the famed Midway, site of the 1933 World’s Fair. If you are interested in joining our vibrant and welcoming community or assisting a loved one to find such a community, contact us today.

Image Source: stockfour / Shutterstock

Last night, the Residents’ Association presented the below plaque to me. As I shared with them, this recognition is not mine alone, but the collective work of all of you and every staff member who gave so much during the last year of COVID. This belongs to each and every one of you. It will posted at the front desk for all to see and read. I am proud have accepted this on your behalf, and honored to be your CEO. Please share this with your team members.