Nursing Homes in Chicago, IL

Living in Chicago

Living in Chicago means having access to one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States. Chicago has been home to many battles, some of which forced an indigenous people to cede the rights to their land and then vacate the area. It was also the cause of The Great Migration and the Chicago Black Renaissance, which then led to the Chicago Race Riot. After that came Prohibition, which the government hoped would help improve tempers in the nation, but all it really did was open the door for the Gangster Era. During that time, the likes of Al Capone and Bugs Moran wreaked havoc in Chicago. After the days of the gangsters came the days of nuclear war, and the University of Chicago became the birthplace of the Manhattan Project's first nuclear reaction. These days, Chicago focuses on building a lasting infrastructure, and creates incentives for sustainable development that will help future generations continue to grow and prosper in the area. The improvements of the parks and museums adds to the city's culture, and the increased focus on the arts provides plenty of activities for both the young crowd and the aging crowd.

Picking the Right Nursing Home

Chicago is a large city, and there are many options for those who wish to reside in the area. Research the available information online to create a list of viable options. From there, visit each of the homes on the list and ask the questions that really matter. Ask about the facility's policies. Are residents allowed to smoke? Are there restricted visiting hours? Can residents have individual rooms, or does the facility require roommates? If roommates are required, can the seniors pick their own roommates, and so on. Asking these questions gives you an idea of what the facility is like, and how management reacts to those questions is even more telling. You should also pay attention to how the residents react to the staff, and the manner in which the staff interacts with the residents.

Paying for Nursing Home Care

It is important for families to have a realistic idea of what nursing home care costs. The average annual cost is $50,000, and rising, depending on location, amenities, and other choices the family makes. That is an overwhelming amount of money for many families, especially those who haven't planned for it. Families with aging parents and grandparents should look into long-term care insurance, which often covers the cost of nursing homes. Those who attempt to pay out-of-pocket tend to burn through their savings within six months of entering the nursing home, which means the senior must move out. Eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid varies by state, so that's another option families should look into as well.

The Nursing Home Option

Assuming that the financial end of the arrangement is all worked out, finding the right nursing home can be a good thing for everyone involved. It gives aging seniors the care and stability they need, and provides family members with peace of mind about the comfort of their loved ones. Although most people would like to be able to care for their parents or grandparents themselves, they also have to think about their lives and what's feasible. Nursing homes can be a great option, but families need to do their research ahead of time.