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
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.
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:
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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:
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).
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
As we age, our life’s focus shifts from raising children to chasing and choosing career paths to create an ideal quality of life of comfort after years of endless commitments and responsibilities. An independent living community provides the perfect environment – tranquil but dynamic.
Initially, the choice of moving into an independent living community was mainly due to a need such as a health crisis. However, this trend is changing, and lately, more active adults aged 65 and above are deliberately opting to stay in a community that guarantees their well-being. The community setting allows the residents to take advantage of the amenities available in a center and services offered, including medical care.
Life at Montgomery Place is calm with an urban setting that lifts your mind and captivates your heart. The independent living community has activities guaranteed to meet the resident’s preferences. Montgomery Place has earned itself a reputation as the cultural center of East Hyde Park in Downtown Chicago because of the residents’ ability to organize their activities.
Quality of life (QOL) is the state of how a resident in an independent living community integrates with the staff and other residents while functioning and existing in a controlled environment.
Life in an independent living community is not marshal. Apart from scheduled meal times and activities, you can control what you do with your time as a resident. However, all independent living provides 24-hour supervision–providing help when needed.
The Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA) conducted a survey that examined the quality of life in most independent living communities. JAMDA concluded that 11 domains determine the quality of life for the residents in these communities. They include:
Dignity
Privacy
Spiritual well-being
Meaningful activities
Physical comfort
Functional completeness
Food enjoyment
Individuality
Security
Relationships
Autonomy – the ability to make willful decisions
Suppose a living community lacks any of the 11 characteristics, JAMDA lays out suggestions to improve the center’s quality of life. For instance, the quality of life can be enhanced by encouraging social participation, creating a social environment, and involving the resident’s family members.
Senior living is ideal for those above 65 years. The community’s setting provides several benefits, such as peace of mind, a maintenance-free life, and even greater and more frequent social interactions.
Below are some of the benefits of being in an independent living community.
While residing independently, all bills – rent, cable, utilities, water, and electricity – are rolled into monthly payments. The setting makes it easy to track and keep a record of your finances.
The overall cost of living in a community is financially beneficial as independent living helps you minimize your spending.
For aging people, good nutrition is their most significant source of energy. Unfortunately, older adults often have to worry about the proper nutrients in the food served and its quality. While in an independent living community, the institution is well-equipped with ingredients, skills, and expertise to provide a balanced diet.
If cooking isn’t an option, the residents in the community can add meal services to their daily requirements. Montgomery Place is staffed with top executives and qualified chefs who prepare fresh meals using quality ingredients to meet the resident’s dietary needs.
The freedom of independent living is staying away from chores associated with owning a home. For example, you are no longer responsible for mowing the lawn or preparing a faulty electrical cable. Other perks include:
Around-the-clock maintenance team
No costly maintenance bill
The exterior and interior of the community are well-maintained regularly.
Being in an independent living community allows you to balance your social life by being part of an active senior living community while enjoying your own private space.
Depending on your schedule, you can join other residents during meal times or while participating in other activities around the community.
Each stage of life has its share of challenges. Unfortunately, the more we age, the more challenging it becomes to make friends, tending to make most older adults isolated and lonely.
One of the biggest perks of living in an independent living community is that it allows you to socialize with people in a similar stage of life.
At Montgomery Place, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life for the residents. We are inspired by our values of engagement, dignity, and integrity. Our vibrant Chicago senior community offers different lifestyle plans to suit your needs. Contact us to schedule an appointment to live in a safe space.
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.