Nestled in the Rock River Valley, the city of Oregon sits proudly along the banks of the most beautiful waterway in northern Illinois. The natural beauty of our community welcomes you and we are proud of the many sites and events that make our town a unique blend of both small-town charm and big city ideas.
Oregon, Illinois boasts beautiful local and state parks, vibrant annual festivals, world-renowned arts and sculpture, “Pride of Oregon” riverboat rides, and so much more!
At Shepherd Premier Senior Living our senior living amenities at our Oregon, IL location includes the following:
- 16 beds available
- 8,500 square feet of living space
- Well-appointed furnishings
An assisted living home is not just a luxury, but an actual necessity for some senior adults. This is particularly true for those who might need help with some of the nuances of daily living, such as cooking, housekeeping, and even moving about the house on their own.
A number of these specialized housing arrangements, much like our senior living facilities in Oregon, Illinois offer various levels of medical and personal care. The living spaces in these facilities can be individual rooms, apartments, or even shared quarters. These senior living facilities mostly provide a home-like setting and are specifically designed to provide a sense of independence to the residents.
How is Assisted Living Different from a Nursing Home?
The concept of a nursing home has been around for far longer than that of assisted living, which is mostly why most people confuse the two. There are, however, differences between the two that set each apart.
At Shepherd Premier your loved one will receive 24 hour care, medication management, home-cooked meals, and the best caretaker-to-resident ratio in the industry. Every home is unique, but our family-owned values and unwavering dedication to quality care are second to none. Schedule a private tour today and see why our residents say – This is Home!
When a loved one comes home to live in a Shepherd Premier Senior Living residence they join an intimate community of 10 to 16 residents. We believe “smaller is better” when it comes to senior care — an opinion informed by our own experience with the other guys. Rather than a sense of guilt, you can know that mom or dad is enjoying life in an environment similar to home, with a small group of people that will fill their days with engagement, laughter and the joy of belonging. We create an atmosphere that is engaging, supportive, safe and secure. By choosing Shepherd Premier the story doesn’t end, a new chapter begins!
Both assisted living facilities and nursing homes provide care for their residents, as this is the foundation of the two practices. There are marked differences, however, in the type of care that the residents receive from each housing type. Nursing home residents receive care much as they would in a hospital setting.
Nurses, therapists, and medical professionals are typically present most of the time, and the residents are monitored around the clock for any medical need they might have. It is not uncommon to see residents in nursing homes being moved around in wheelchairs for the better part of the day.
Residents in assisted living facilities, on the other hand, are mostly independent in that they live as they normally would if they were in their own homes, except for help being provided in some aspects of everyday life such as transportation, medication, housekeeping, and other things which could become difficult to do when a person starts getting older.
Many nursing homes portrayed in popular media such as movies often depict residents as being limited to generally mild activities such as playing chess, sitting in the sunroom, enjoying being rolled around in a wheelchair along the garden, and other such activities attributed to old age. This is not too far from what happens in most nursing homes as many of the residents are already too old, fragile, or sickly to engage in more strenuous activities.
Residents in assisted living facilities are encouraged to join life enrichment programs designed to be safe for their age and at the same time, give the participants a sense of achievement and self-worth. This is because depression and melancholy are very common emotions felt by people of advanced age as they tend to see less of their loved ones and are often treated as if they are not of much use anymore because of their age.
Most nursing homes are intentionally designed to be like clinical environments mostly because of the physical needs of the residents. Many residents in nursing homes need help to complete the daily tasks that people who are mobile and able, take for granted.
Assisted living communities such as ours were carefully planned and designed to create a comfortable and safe atmosphere, that feels like a home away from home.
Nursing homes necessarily have dieticians on hand to help prepare meals tailored to the health requirements of the residents. As people age, certain foods become problematic for them, as these foods could already be hazardous to someone of advanced years. Many nursing home residents, however, lament that they already live in a hospital-like environment, and they wish that the food at least would not look and taste like hospital food.
Assisted living facilities often allow the residents to cook their meals, since most things in these facilities are intended to give the impression of independence, self-worth, and usefulness, regardless of their age. Residents are even given the option of being able to have their meals in their living unit or with others in a community dining room, which is mostly open all day for anyone who would want to eat there.
Hospitals is notorious for not having the level of privacy that most people would want unless they are in a private suite being attended to by private medical staff. Even in private suites, there is still the need for the medical staff to check in from time to time to ensure that the patient is responding well to the treatment and that nothing is wrong with them.
This is the same for nursing home scenarios, where some of the residents need constant monitoring due to severely failing health. In such a situation where the vital signs of the resident need to be constantly checked, very little privacy could be expected.
In assisted living facilities, unless the resident requires constant medical monitoring, they are mostly allowed to have the level of privacy that they desire. Residents are even allowed to choose the amount of social interaction that they get, as many residents in assisted living facilities need privacy to complete personal projects they might be working on, such as their autobiography.
While it might sound whimsical to most, certain patients in nursing homes could have an adverse reaction to overstimulation or excitement. Some could suffer a spike in their blood pressure as they are easily agitated, which is why most nursing homes maintain a calm and quiet atmosphere. This is even complimented by the pervading design and color scheme of the nursing home since visual stimulation could also become a concern for some residents.
Residents in assisted living facilities are given the option to participate in pre-planned daily activities designed to help them maintain an active lifestyle suited to their age. There are even organized trips outside of the facility so that the residents do not feel confined inside the assisted living community.
Being mostly a hospital-like environment, nursing homes mostly prohibit residents from having pets. Regardless of the ability of the nursing home resident to keep and care for their pet, it could become a concern for others who might react to the presence of the pet in the same facility.
Some people never outgrew their allergies and could still have them even in their senior years, which could then be triggered by the presence of a pet on the premises. Others tend to have an emotional reaction to the presence of a pet inside the nursing home, as some people do not like having animals around them.
Many assisted living facilities to allow the presence of pets in the community. This is because many assisted living facilities to believe in the practice of having pet partners that could help with the disposition, mood, and general well-being of the resident.
Many elderly people who live apart from their families often turn to pets as surrogate family members, giving them a sense that there is another living being who will never leave their side no matter how old they get.
How is Shepherd Premier Senior Living different?
At Shepherd Premier your loved one will receive 24-hour care, medication management, home-cooked meals, and the best caretaker-to-resident ratio in the industry. Every home is unique, but our family-owned values and unwavering dedication to quality care are second to none. Schedule a private tour today and see why our residents say – This is Home!
When a loved one comes home to live in a Shepherd Premier Senior Living residence they join an intimate community of 10 to 16 residents. We believe “smaller is better” when it comes to senior care — an opinion informed by our own experience with the other guys.
Rather than a sense of guilt, you can know that mom or dad is enjoying life in an environment similar to home, with a small group of people that will fill their days with engagement, laughter, and the joy of belonging. We create an atmosphere that is engaging, supportive, safe, and secure. By choosing Shepherd Premier the story doesn’t end, a new chapter begins!
Assisted Living in Illinois: A Guide to Expert Care
There are more than 56 million adults in the United States that are aged 65 and above, and this number accounts for at least 16.9% of the American population, according to the US Census Bureau. Of this number, more than 800,000 are already living in assisted living facilities, although this figure is expected to grow steadily over the next few years.
Currently, existing assisted living facilities are reportedly already operating at 78% full capacity, and with seven out of every ten Americans requiring the services of an assisted living facility in their lifetime, the demand will need to grow by an additional one million beds by the year 2040.
This further justifies the need for more reputable and reliable care facilities like the services offered at Shepherd’s assisted living in Illinois.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a type of housing for elderly people who require long-term care and assistance with daily living activities. This includes getting dressed, bathing, and using the toilet. The residents of assisted living in Illinois, however, are those who do not require 24-hour nursing or medical care. Assisted living provides companionship, personalized care, social activities, and nutritious meals to seniors in a safe, communal setting.
Traditionally, assisted living in Crystal Lake, Illinois also offers medication management as well as housekeeping services, meals, laundry, and transportation services, and even has social programs and activities suited for the age group and condition of the residents.
The staff working at the facility is constantly available to help with safety concerns, care, and support. Residents, however, are encouraged to bring their own furniture and personal items to bring the feeling of home to the residential unit they will have in the facility.
New residents are assessed before they move in so that an individualized service plan could be made to better meet their specific needs and make their care truly personalized. The assessment includes considerations for a resident’s specialized nutritional needs. There are even some assisted living communities that are also licensed to provide memory care for those who might already have issues with their memory.
What is the Difference between Senior Living and Assisted Living?
Most people often mistake assisted living for senior living or independent living services, and knowing the difference between the two would serve those who would be needing either service well moving forward. Here are some differences between senior living and assisted living in Illinois.
Cost
Assisted living is usually crafted around a rental model. Monthly fees may include maintenance, housekeeping, security, nursing observation, standard daily meals (3X), programming, and constantly-available staffing. Residents in an assisted living facility receive at least one to two hours of daily personal care which is often included in the monthly rent, while other facilities might offer this as an add-on outside of the usual fee.
The personal care service could include assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and medication. There are Long Term Care Insurance policies that cover a percentage of the expense charged by assisted living in Bull Valley, IL, and some communities even have subsidized programs such as Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC) or Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) that could also help with the costs.
The expenses included in senior or independent living facilities are somewhat different, as those living in these facilities have to pay an entrance fee when they move in, and this amount is typically around 75% to 90% refundable when the resident decides to leave. These facilities also charge an additional monthly fee to cover maintenance, housekeeping, security, select meals, and any included programming.
Amenities We Offer: Assisted Living in Illinois
Members of an assisted living facility staff typically provide residents with assistance in whatever daily activities the resident might have. In most senior living homes, a registered nurse is included in the active staff and is always on call for the convenience and safety of the residents. Select assisted living facilities also provide residents with full access to health care services including the on-site primary care practice, which allows the residents to see their doctor without even leaving the premises.
In independent or senior living facilities, there is often a stipulation stating that the services of the facility are for older adults who will not require much assistance or medical care. As such, most of these facilities do not readily provide these services as part of what they offer to their residents. Those who might require such services may need to pay an additional fee for it outside of their regular fee or might have to find the services they need outside of the facility.
Assisted living facilities often have a small community and are more self-contained. Many of the resident’s needs are provided within the premises, often found in the assisted living building. For facilities that offer memory care programs, they may also have specifically designed centers that take into consideration everything that might prove to be helpful to those with compromised memories and cognitive functions, such as enhanced lighting, visual cues, easy-to-navigate walking paths, color-coded guides, secure outdoor and indoor space.
Independent or senior living facilities may be built somewhat differently. These facilities may be designed as multiple buildings spread out on the premises, with a central gathering area for programming and meals. Living spaces such as apartments or cottages may be built somewhat larger than those found in assisted living facilities and there is often greater distance to travel between buildings, much like a traditional school campus might look like.
Both types of communities generally offer a calendar full of engaging learning and entertainment activities, although assisted living facilities typically offer more hours of programming per day, specifically in memory programs. Activities in assisted living facilities may also be offered in smaller groups or in a manner that is more suited for the physical and cognitive abilities of the residents.
At our assisted living facility in Dixon, IL, family members are often encouraged to take a more active role in the care of their loved ones, particularly for residents already afflicted with severe mental health conditions such as dementia.
This is because family support and interaction are essential to a person’s physical, mental, and emotional health. It is also important that family members feel welcomed within the assisted living community or they might not feel inclined to visit or even participate in the care of their loved ones. Family members are kept updated about the status of their loved ones as part of the care planning process.
In independent or senior living facilities, families are also encouraged to become immersed in the community, although the primary decision capability is still generally left with the resident. Family members are welcome to visit with their loved ones within the facility and also partake of the various amenities offered throughout the community if the resident so chooses.
In an assisted living facility, all meals are typically included in the package and residents are encouraged to eat in the dining room with friends, as these are ideal opportunities for social connection. This allows the residents to still maintain a healthy social life within the premises.
In independent or senior living facilities, dinner is also often included in the package covered by the monthly fee, although it is not uncommon for other facilities to offer different options such as fine dining, casual take-out, or even allow the residents to enjoy cooking their meals at home.
Who is a Candidate for Assisted Living in Illinois?
For seniors who require a more independent living environment, assisted living in Illinois is an alternative to nursing home care. Candidates are typically 65 years of age or older, and may have a disability of some kind.
Assisted Living is an excellent choice for seniors who want a community that assists them while still allowing them to maintain a high level of independence. The Illinois Department of Public Health oversees assisted living facilities in the state. Safety, quality, and staffing requirements must be met by facilities. They must also be supervised 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Finding the Right Home and Care for Your Loved One
At Shepherd Senior Living in Crystal Lake, IL, we pride ourselves on making the transition to assisted living as seamless as possible. Your search for expert long-term care for your loved one is over. Contact us today to learn more about the amenities we offer.
