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You can give your loved one the care and attention they need at Montgomery Place Senior Living in Chicago, Il, and with Life Care at Home. Director Of Sales and Marketing Jeannie Mikso joins us now to how they help.

When you or your loved one start looking into different senior housing alternatives, you’ll realize that there are a lot of them to choose from.

Questions like, “Is a nursing home the best option? What services do senior living communities offer? What’s the difference between independent living and nursing homes?” may arise. Whichever option you choose will depend on your needs or the needs of your senior loved one.

At Montgomery Place in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, we are ready and happy to welcome seniors looking for a welcoming and fulfilling place to call home. Our purpose is to improve the quality of life for individuals who choose to live here.

This article will explore the key aspects that set apart independent living from nursing homes.

Differences Between Nursing Homes and Independent Living Communities

When looking for a future home, it’s crucial to understand the distinctions between nursing facilities and independent living communities. Below is a list highlighting the key differences:

1. Daily Amenities and Services

In nursing homes, help is available 24/7 for seniors for basic life tasks like bathing, grooming, remembering to take medication, meal preparation, etc.

Medical care or nursing assistance is not part of independent living. Instead, convenience and an active lifestyle are the main focus for independent living communities.

2. Medical and Supportive Care

Nursing homes offer medical support to people who can no longer tend to their basic needs or make good decisions on their own, or function without the help of a loved one.

Independent living communities primarily focus on serving residents’ social needs and lifestyle aspects, as many can live independently without much support.

3. Access to and Contact with Staff

Staff in nursing homes are there to keep an eye on residents and check in on them. They will stay in touch with elders to ensure they are doing well. Staff may intervene if the senior looks to require further assistance.

Seniors in an independent living complex may not have regular contact with the personnel. The resident is the one to determine the level of interaction with the staff in these communities.

4. Family Involvement

Nursing homes provide skilled nursing care and relieve family members of additional caring duties. When the requirements of seniors evolve, the personnel are there to anticipate and satisfy those needs. Visitation schedules may need to be set up at many nursing homes as well.

Families can have peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are not alone or unseen in an independent living community. They can visit as able and don’t have to set up visitation with staff.

5. Continuum of Care

Most seniors who opt for nursing homes deal with health conditions. These types of seniors will eventually need extensive care. For this reason, nursing homes are the most idyllic.

But, many older adults in independent living communities will enjoy long and healthy lives without any extra assistance.

Similarities between Senior Independent Living and Nursing Homes?

Senior living communities and nursing facilities provide support with everyday tasks. This service includes help with personal hygiene duties, including washing, grooming, clothing, etc. Nursing homes and senior living communities have the following in common:

• Care is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Transportation services are available.

• Medical and drug administration.

• They both assist with mobility.

• Protocols for security and safety, and much more.

• Dining options and meal plans are available in both types of communities to guarantee optimal nourishment.

• Nursing facilities and senior living communities both provide opportunities to mingle and assemble.

Who Can Benefit From Independent Living Communities?

Independent living communities are ideal for:

• Adults who are searching for a lifestyle that allows them to focus on social activities rather than worrying about house care and repairs.

• Older adults may become increasingly isolated from society and want to be around people within their age group and enjoy the activities of a community.

Which One Is Right for Me?

You don’t have to be terminally sick to choose to live in a senior living community. The passage of time and the onset of health concerns should not decrease your quality of life.

Learn more and tour Montgomery Place in Chicago, IL

At Montgomery Place, we can assist you no matter what your ideal retirement looks like or what obstacles you experience in obtaining it. We provide a variety of senior living alternatives with beautiful spacious apartments that overlook Lake Michigan and the Museum of Science and Industry. Contact us today to take advantage of our many attractive senior living options. We’re excited to assist you in writing the next chapter of your life.

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An independent living facility allows retirees to share life and create a community in a friendly and peaceful environment. Moving into an independent living community is an excellent way for physically independent seniors to trade living alone and chores for a healthy, stress-free lifestyle.

Have you been wondering about independent living communities, who should live in this type of community, and what it is like to live in this environment? Montgomery Place is one of Chicago’s best independent living communities and offers a vibrant urban lifestyle that engages the heart and enriches the mind’ by upholding the following values:

• Integrity

• Dignity

• Engagement

• Caring

• Quality

What Is Independent Living?

Montgomery Place Retirement Community is a residential independent living community mainly for older adults who can live without the aid of personal or medical staff. Independent living allows the resident to maintain complete independence while benefiting from the social and recreational provided by the community.

There is a difference between independent living communities and assisted living facilities. The main difference is that independent living is primarily for younger retirees who seek housing for socialization purposes. Assisted living is for seniors who need long-term care in their daily activities such as cleaning, taking medication, etc.

Is Independent Living Right for You?

As your age advances, you might think of getting into a living community for retirees. However, losing independence might not sit well with you. An independent living location allows you to enjoy the convenience of a vibrant, active community and retain your freedom.

Anyone aged 62 or more who requires no assistance with their daily activities is an excellent candidate for a senior living community.

Independent living provides social and recreational amenities for the following types of groups:

1. Working Seniors

An independent living community is a splendid choice for any senior working full-time or part-time to plan ahead of retirement. Your new home will give you a platform to interact and form bonds with other seniors as you prepare to transition from working to retirement.

Some independent living communities are Continuing Care Retirement Communities that accept working seniors and see them through the office-retirement transition without the need to change locations.

2. Younger Retirees

Younger retirees might not welcome the idea of a senior living community for fear of losing their independence. An independent living community nullifies the myth that you lose your freedom once you move into a retirement community. Instead, you get to enjoy life as usual in an independent living community through the following offered features:

• Bringing your pets

• A private apartment that you can redesign and decorate according to your preferences

• Privacy by choosing shared or private apartment

• Having free time

• Being in charge of everything except the household chores

3. Seniors Looking for New Friends

Independent living communities offer a variety of social and recreational activities where you interact with other residents within the community. You can still explore your hobbies and associate with residents with similar interests.

There is no chance of getting bored since you have access to many resources, and peers, family members, and friends are allowed to visit you. The community staff is always available to help you in case of anything.

Benefits of an Independent Living Community

The benefits of independent living communities are diverse, and here are some that might encourage you to make a move:

• Maintaining your freedom as someone else takes care of the daily chores.

• Enhanced safety and security from crime, at-home injuries and accidents, and even natural disasters

• Access to high-quality care, services, and amenities in the same location

• Opportunity to new experiences and daily enrichment

• Chance to make and interact with new friends in the same age group

Why Choose Montgomery Place at Hyde Park

Montgomery Place is one of Chicago’s best independent living communities that offers an exceptional quality of life for seniors through the following benefits and amenities:

• A well-rounded assortment of activities and events

• Various residence options to choose from, including apartments, condominiums, townhouses, duplexes, and freestanding villas

• Fitness classes

• Group outings

• Special interest clubs

• Chef-prepared meals in community dining spaces

We offer a reputable independent living community for physically capable seniors. Our location is nestled in Hyde Park, Chicago, near all the urban amenities you might need.

We also offer other community living options, including skilled nursing care and assisted living communities. Contact us today for suitable senior living for you or your loved one.

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When you’re searching for a senior living community for yourself or a loved one, it can be difficult to wade through all of the different options available.

One of the most common areas of confusion is the topic of skilled nursing care and exactly what that looks like in the day-to-day routines and lifestyles of residents. For so many people, the phrase “nursing care” brings to mind a series of unappealing (and often outdated) images of sterile, impersonal nursing homes. As a result, there is understandably a certain amount of hesitation for individuals considering nursing care as an option.

However, today’s senior living communities have evolved into warm and wonderful places for seniors to call home. Personalized services, detailed care plans, and plenty of social interaction, enjoyable activities, and compassionate care make high-quality senior care nursing an excellent choice for many people.

We’re taking a closer look at nursing care for seniors, helping you better understand what it is, how it works in a senior residential community, and whether it may be a good fit for you or your loved one.

What is Senior Care Nursing?

Senior care nursing is a residential arrangement that includes skilled nursing care services and medical support, with staff available around the clock to meet residents’ needs. Sometimes referred to as “nursing homes,” these communities are designed to put care services and medical professionals within easy reach at all times.

Generally, skilled nursing care for seniors includes:

• Medication management and administration

• Assistance with personal care routines and daily life activities, such as bathing, toileting, feeding, dressing, etc.

• Certain medical treatments and skilled care from nurses/other professionals

• Consistent supervision to ensure health and safety

• Appropriately-adapted recreational activities

• Living quarters may be private or shared

• Common areas may include a dining room, recreational space, and possibly an outdoor area

Essentially, nursing care provides a higher level of medical and personal care that may not be available in a standard assisted living environment. That being said, there are some assisted living communities in which access to medical services makes it a viable option, even for seniors with certain medical needs.

Is skilled nursing care right for you?

A senior living community with nursing care is typically ideal for individuals who:

• Require ongoing supervision

• Need extensive support with personal care

• Are not able to be mobile without assistance

• Require daily medical care

• Have significant cognitive impairments/symptoms

Ultimately, the best way to determine if nursing care is the right fit is to meet with the providers in a specific community. There, you can get specific details about what it offers, so you know exactly what to expect.

Benefits of Senior Skilled Nursing Care

The most notable benefit of skilled nursing care for seniors is that it can offer a vital level of health and safety services that may not be available in other living arrangements. Particularly for seniors who cannot live independently, a nursing care community can be an ideal setting for maximizing quality of life while still ensuring safety.

It can also offer families incredible peace of mind to know that their loved ones are extraordinarily well cared for by a team of caring and compassionate professionals.

Nursing Care Options for Seniors at Montgomery Place

At the Montgomery Place senior living community in Hyde Park, skilled nursing care is available as an option for residents. We have a team of board-certified physicians and geriatricians providing the highest standard of care, working collaboratively with residents, their families, and the rest of our staff to create tailored care plans for every individual.

Here, we take everything into consideration, including recreational therapy, dietitian-planned menus, social services, and more. We also offer memory support, pain management, and respite services, as well as short-term stay and rehabilitative care options.

Montgomery Place: Nursing Care for Seniors in Chicago, IL

Montgomery Place is a one-of-a-kind community for senior living in Chicago, providing residents with a broad range of options to suit their unique needs and preferences. We offer skilled nursing care in Hyde Park, as well as independent and assisted living. Here, residents can find a wonderful place to call home, a community and care provider that can effectively adapt to meet their changing years as time goes by. And above all, Montgomery Place seniors enjoy a sense of community and an exceptional quality of life.

If you’re searching for Chicago nursing homes for seniors, the decision-making process can be overwhelming. Selecting a senior living community is an incredibly important choice, one that you should feel completely comfortable and confident making. That’s why the staff at Montgomery Place are always here to answer your questions, provide detailed information, and guide you towards the option that’s best for you.

Montgomery Place nursing care can be the key to unlocking a safer, happier way of life for yourself or a senior you love. Learn more about our Chicago senior nursing care services when you contact us today.

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Providing care to other people is one of the noblest things anyone can do. Seniors often need round-the-clock care to go about their daily lives. This is where a senior care assistant comes into the picture.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of what a senior care assistant does and what it takes to become one. It also offers insights into the care of friendly senior care assistants at Montgomery Place in Hyde Park.

What is a Senior Care Assistant?

A senior care assistant is a professional caregiver who specializes in caring for people in all aspects of daily living. The caregiver must meet certain qualifications and is expected to play many varying roles and responsibilities, as discussed below.

What Does a Senior Care Assistant Do?

Seniors can sometimes require help with their daily tasks. A senior care assistant’s role and responsibilities can be many and tend to vary depending on the senior’s needs.

Their duties usually include:

• Grooming tasks, such as bathing and dressing

• Grocery shopping

• Doing laundry, washing dishes, and doing other everyday chores

• Cooking and feeding

• Taking medicine

• Help with exercising and physical therapy

• Observing and reporting to the senior’s doctors and other caregivers

A senior care assistant also serves as a companion to the seniors under their care – this is important because social interaction helps seniors overcome feelings of loneliness. Some care assistants are also tasked with providing specialized care for seniors with certain medical needs.

What Qualities Do You Need to Become a Senior Care Assistant?

Caring for seniors is a sensitive job that may demand a lot of time and work. Ideally, senior care assistants should meet the following qualifications to keep up with the job’s demands:

Education

Seniors usually have various healthcare and medical needs. As mentioned earlier, senior care assistants may be tasked with ensuring that seniors under their care take their prescription medications on time. As such, a background in health education is required – most care assistants have at least an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).

Compassion

Caring for seniors isn’t just another ordinary occupation – it involves caring for vulnerable people to improve their quality of life. The willingness to do so is usually driven by virtues such as compassion and empathy.

Communication Skills

Communication is essential in every social setting, especially between seniors and senior care workers. Communication skills are critical when dealing with seniors who are hard of hearing.

Emotional Strength

Empathy is one of the values required to become a senior care assistant. Caregivers often develop emotional attachments to the seniors under their care. Understandably, they may experience profound emotional and mental pain if something terrible happens to them. It is advisable to master emotional strength and learn how to balance work and personal ties.

These are only some of the core qualities for becoming a senior care assistant. Other requirements include possessing essential skills such as cooking, cleaning, and driving. Last but not least, the caregiver should be dependable and flexible enough to accommodate the long working hours.

What Experience is Required to Become a Senior Care Assistant?

At the very least, a senior care assistant needs experience working in a healthcare community. This can be any type of healthcare community and working at any capacity – most senior care assistants start as nurse associates. Having worked at an assisted living community is also an added advantage.

Why Choose Montgomery Place at Hyde Park

Montgomery Place has some of the most skilled and compassionate senior care assistants in Hyde Park. These caregivers have the residents’ best interests at heart, and we like to think of ourselves as one big family. Browse floor plans here!

We also offer dozens more reasons to spend your time here, including:

• Enticing outdoor activities such as swimming and gardening

• Flexible living options, including independent and assisted living

• Spacious living arrangement spaces with appealing décor and comfortable furniture

• A serene environment with spectacular views of the lake

• Flexible financial plans

Contact us today or call us at 773-753-4100 for virtual tours if you are 65 and above and would like a great place to live. Since we are located at Hyde Park near the University of Chicago and the medical center, residents have access to world-class health. Don’t hesitate to reach out.

An active senior living community provides a wonderful place for seniors to live, relax, and have a stress-free lifestyle. The community offers a maintenance-free lifestyle for seniors from age 65 and above.

Montgomery Place at Hyde Park welcomes everyone interested in a comfortable and fulfilling place to call home. Active senior living communities are a type of retirement community designed for seniors who are active, healthy, and still able to live independently.

Active senior living communities allow seniors to enjoy an active, independent lifestyle with others who share the same interest. The communities provide private accommodation, which includes:

• Condominium

• Townhouse

• Apartment

Each of these comes with a small, fully serviced kitchenette and living and dining space for entertainment purposes if they choose to. 

All of the amenities in active living communities are designed with seniors in mind, and they are similar to those you would find in any small home or townhouse.

Montgomery Place at Hyde Park has all these features, including moving options and more, to help you transition. We understand that choosing a senior care community is an important decision. Before starting the process, you should know what an active senior living community offers.

Benefits of Active Senior Living Communities

The homes provide an opportunity for residents to enjoy life. Before deciding where you should live, here are some of the benefits provided by active senior living communities:

• They don’t require much maintenance. Residents don’t have to deal with lawn mowing, painting, snow blowing, or other home care activities.

• Residents are always near their peers who share the same interest. The neighborhood is always quiet and friendly for everyone.

• Residents get the right size of living space. You don’t have to worry about cleaning or managing different rooms in your home.

• Residents get access to all types of amenities. If you enjoy sports, keeping fit, or any other extracurricular activities, the communities have them at your disposal.

• One of the biggest worries of seniors and their loved ones is whether they will be safe. In an active senior living community, safety and security are top priorities. Montgomery Place has a support team ready to help and provide peace of mind to both the seniors and their loved ones.

How to Choose an Active Senior Living Community

Even though there are several active senior living communities, seniors should focus on their comfort and what they want before selecting a home.

Some of the things to focus on include:

• Focus on the right location. If you want to live in a neighborhood packed with adventure or stay near your children and grandchildren, the choice is yours..

• Choose a place you can afford to pay for. Review all the fees and monthly rents before finally making a decision.

• Check the transportation options available. If you don’t plan to drive around, Montgomery Place provides alternative transportation to meet your needs.

• Review the financial status to see whether it is sound.

What if You Need Help?

Most seniors worry that they could lose their independence after transitioning from their homes to senior living. Another common fear is that since they will be away from their loved ones, they won’t get help or transportation services in case of emergencies.

While this is understandable, it isn’t true. Active senior living ensures that residents have access to support, medical emergencies, and continued care when they need it. At Montgomery Place at Hyde Park, we ensure that residents have access to top amenities.

Why Choose Montgomery Place at Hyde Park

We understand the idea of moving to a senior living community can seem overwhelming. However, at Montgomery Place in Hyde Park, Chicago, we've created a welcoming and comfortable haven for residents. Montgomery Place is in the heart of Hyde Park and is among the best active communities you will find in Chicago. We offer a conducive environment for residents to enjoy. 

We provide residents with multiple opportunities for enrichment and social interaction to encourage a productive lifestyle.

Contact us today or reach us at 773-753-4100 for virtual tours if you are 65 and above and would like a great place to live. Since we are located at Hyde Park near the University of Chicago and the medical center, residents have access to world-class health. Don’t hesitate to reach out.

Image Source:  Photographee.eu / Shutterstock