Nursing Homes near Joliet, IL

Nursing Homes in Joliet, Illinois

When your aging loved one reaches the point where they can no longer perform their daily tasks without help, it may be time to consider nursing home care. Although many seniors don't like the idea of being moved to a nursing home, it's an option that works in their favor when you consider the benefits they get from it, such as daily assistance, a social environment, and top medical care. Nursing homes in Joliet provide seniors with different features and amenities to help families find one that suits their loved one's best.

More about Joliet

Like many Midwestern cities, Joliet is dependent on manufacturing industries. Also like other cities in the Midwest, the city has experienced past economic trouble with unemployment reaching high as 26%. However, thanks to its proximity to Chicago, the unemployment rate has dropped and business has increased. That being said, many of the residents find it hard to attract new businesses to the downtown area. Most of the people who work in the city choose to work in bordering Cook and DuPage counties. However, Joliet has several theaters and other spots perfect for films, and movies such as "Stir of Echoes" have had scenes shot at the Rialto Square Theater. The city may be small compared to some, but for retired nursing home dwellers, it's just the right speed.

Choosing the Right Facility

Choosing the right facility is about keeping your loved one's preferences in mind, but nursing homes that offer city outings and tours can be of interest to many seniors. Create a list of basic qualities you and your loved one require, and then find out the specifics by visiting each nursing home. Talk to the program director about the staff. How were they trained, what's the patient to staff ratio, do they genuinely care about the residents or is it just a paycheck to them? Once you feel good about the staff, figure out if the facility's policies resonate with you. Do you feel they are too strict, or aren't strict enough? Also, determine what level of care your loved one will receive, and how often you receive updates. Finally, ensure the facility you choose has plenty of amenities and activities to keep your loved one active.

Amenities and Activities

The amenities and activities available to residents of a nursing home are important. They keep the residents engaged in life by building a community for them. Many residents come to think of the other residents as a second family. A good nursing home offers a wide selection of options including restaurant-style dining, social and recreational activities, landscaped grounds, beauty salon/barber shop, game room, wireless internet, library, laundry, and housekeeping. For those facilities located in Green Bay, there are also shopping areas, recreational centers, parks, museums, galleries, and sports venues. Additionally, many nursing homes require residents to double up in a roommate situation. If your loved one is used to living alone, this might cause some anxiety. Find out what your loved one's preference is, and then look for facilities that can match that preference.

Making the Move

Once you decide on the nursing home, the next step is to make the move. If your loved one lives in a house, the hard part will be helping them go through their belongings and choose what they want to take with them, and what they will need to get rid of or give away. This can be an emotionally difficult step for some seniors. Asking them to go through their memories and choose the ones they want to keep is difficult, so have a little patience with them. Once you downsize their belongings, it may be easier to hire movers to move the stuff to the nursing home. You can use the extra time to spend with your loved one, reassuring them of the move.

Aging loved ones already have enough to worry about, they don't need to worry about their living arrangement, too. It is important to choose a nursing home that makes both you and your loved one comfortable, but at the same time offers the best care available. Nursing homes should be an accepting, supportive community with compassionate staff and managers. Residents should be happy and relatively healthy, depending on their individual circumstances. The best way to discover what type of nursing home you're dealing with is to visit the facility and speak to the staff and residents.