Ottawa
est. 1851
RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES
The Times - Retirement Communities
2 Saturday, July 24, 2021
TIPS TO FIND THE RIGHT
Skilled Nursing Facility
H
umans’ desire to live independently begins in adolescence and continues into older adulthood. Though many seniors can handle the tasks of daily life on their own, others may need varying degrees of assistance.
Seniors have various options at their disposal in regard to finding help to get through daily life. Those who need round-the-clock help typically look to skilled nursing facilities, or SNFs, which are staffed with licensed nurses and therapists who are capable of providing a more advanced level of medical care than home health aides or assisted living facilities can offer. Seniors who want to plan ahead can shop around for SNFs and make their preferences known in their estate planning. When looking for an SNF, seniors and their loved ones can utilize these tips to find the right facility. • Speak with your health care team. Seniors’ health care teams, including their general practitioners as well as any doctors who may have treated them for specific diseases or conditions, can be great resources. For example, an oncology team may recommend a local SNF that has a strong track record in working with cancer survivors. Many people who stay in SNFs do so as part of a rehabilitation program, and a health care team can provide valuable insight into which facilities
may match up well with individual patients’ needs. • Give location ample consideration. When looking for an SNF, location should not be overlooked. The quality of care a facility can provide should be the utmost priority, but the value of choosing a facility that’s close to loved ones cannot be understated, especially for seniors who will be moving in for a lengthy period of time. Routine visits from loved ones can lift the spirits of SNF residents. In addition, AARP® notes that regular visitors can scrutinize care and serve as residents’ advocates if they feel their concerns are not being satisfactorily addressed by staff members. • Visit facilities in person. Online ratings can provide some insight into a facility, but nothing can replace the value of an in-person visit. The American Health Care Association urges families to observe a facility in person so they can gauge its overall environment and whether or not it seems like a peaceful or chaotic place. Pay close attention to residents and try to determine if they’re well-groomed. These are things that can only be noticed in person, which underscores the importance of in person visits. Skilled nursing facilities are an option for seniors who require advanced medical care. Finding the right facility requires careful consideration of a host of factors.
The Times - Retirement Communities
Saturday, July 24, 2021 3
Effective exercises for seniors
L
osing interest in an exercise regimen is a situation many fitness enthusiasts have confronted at one point or another. Overcoming a stale workout routine can be simple for young athletes, whose bodies can typically handle a wide range of physical activities. That flexibility allows younger athletes the chance to pursue any number of physical activities when their existing fitness regimens grow stale. But what about seniors who have grown tired of their workouts? Even seniors who have lived active lifestyles since they were youngsters are likely to encounter certain physical limitations associated with aging. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the likelihood of dealing with one or more physical limitations increases with age. CDC data indicates that 8 percent of adults between the ages of 50 and 59 have three or more physical limitations. That figure rises to 27 percent among adults age 80 and over. Physical limitations may be a part of aging for many people, but such obstacles need not limit seniors looking to banish boredom from their workout routines. In fact, many seniors can successfully engage in a variety of exercises that benefit their bodies and are unlikely to grow stale. • Water aerobics: Sometimes referred to as “aqua aerobics,” water aerobics may involve jogging in the water, leg lifts, arm curls, and other activities that can safely be performed in a pool. The YMCA notes that water aerobics exercises are low impact, which can make them ideal for seniors with bone and joint issues like arthritis. • Resistance band workouts: Resistance band workouts can be especially useful for
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815-431-0548
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seniors who spend a lot of time at home. Resistance bands are inexpensive and don’t take up a lot of space, making them ideal for people who like to exercise at home but don’t have much space. Resistance bands can be used to strengthen muscles in various parts of the body, including the legs, arms and back. Resistance bands can be pulled or pushed in any direction, which allows for more versatility in a workout than weight machines and dumbbells. That versatility allows seniors to spice up their workout regimens when things get a little stale. • Pilates: Pilates is another low-impact exercise that can be ideal for seniors with bone and joint issues. According to SilverSneakers®, a community fitness program for seniors that promotes living through physical and social engagement, Pilates can help seniors build overall strength, stability and coordination. SilverSneakers® even notes that seniors can experience improvements in strength and stability by committing to as little as 10 to 15 minutes of daily Pilates exercises. • Strength training: Seniors on the lookout for something more challenging than a daily walk around the neighborhood should not overlook the benefits of strength training. The CDC notes that seniors who participate in strength training can stimulate the growth of muscle and bone, thereby reducing their risk for osteoporosis and frailty. In fact, the CDC notes that people with health concerns like arthritis or heart disease often benefit the most from exercise regimens that include lifting weights a few times each week. Physical limitations are a part of aging. But seniors need not let such limitations relegate them to repetitive, boring workouts.
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The Times - Retirement Communities
4 Saturday, July 24, 2021
Heritage Health AND Evergreen Place
R
LOOK FORWARD TO 2021
egain, RESTORE and Remember to Ask for Heritage Health
Heritage Health: Therapy & Senior Care of Streator has seen and experienced a lot of things in its 57 years of service to seniors… but a viral pandemic? Not so much. But like most challenges in the healthcare industry, Heritage Health always steps up in the name of quality and safety of its residents. We’ve found much success in protecting the residents from the coronavirus by heeding the guidance of the local health department, the CDC and the IL Dept of Public Health. In addition to that, our employees have been amazing and truly dedicated to their work over the years but especially these last 18 months. Everyone from dietary to housekeeping to laundry to therapy and nursing has been a professional and conscientious team player while keeping the residents the focal point. We are also blessed with the support of wonderful families, churches, and the community. Our future’s bright beyond Covid at Heritage Health! As we continue to regain our momentum towards normalcy midway through 2021, we confidently promote our expert RESTORE clinical and therapy services to those who have been recently hospitalized with an illness or injury or who are planning to have surgery. Optimizing a successful return home with a short-term medical and therapy rehab stay at Heritage Health can be key. Best outcomes come from best practices so its important that you choose the right skilled nursing facility for your lifestyle. Choose Heritage Health RESTORE THERAPY Program for your recovery needs. Our longevity, professionalism and reputation speak for itself. Our team is comprised experienced skilled nursing, therapy and ancillary professionals who carry out their jobs with the utmost care and competency. Our frontline staff give everything they have to our residents. They are the best in the industry! Our experience and knowledge are your best resources. Heritage Health: Therapy & Senior Care has made a long-term investment in the Streator area for many years now and we remain committed to you for many more years to come. Count on us to be here when you need us most. We are a 5-Star CMS rated skilled facility and we work hard to keep our seniors safe, healthy, engaged, and happy. The options for care are vast here at Heritage. We accept short stay admissions utilizing traditional Medicare or a Medicare Advantage replacement plan to get people back home as quickly as possible, we work with folks who may need to stay with us long term by either paying privately, accessing a long term care plan, or State of IL Medicaid assistance. Another option for some seniors to be aware of is that Heritage of Streator is also a VA-contracted home for veterans who need long term support and services and who meet the minimal VA service connection criteria for the VA Nursing Home Program. As a veteran, you don’t have to go out of town for VA nursing home care. We can assist in finding out eligibility. Remember to ask for Heritage Health in Streator when you need services and support after a hospitalization. To learn more about us for future reference, access our website for more details and information by visiting our website at www.HeritageOfCare.com/ Streator. And as always, we are available by phone to answer all your questions, just call our main line at 815-672-4516. At Evergreen Place in Streator, our commitment is Relentless! We are eager to move forward with our hospitality, social events, and choice-driven services that our residents and families have known to love and trust. It has been a tough journey and we are grateful and optimistic as our team had to adapt to many changes and evolved. We grew and learned about our capabilities, our team and our unrelenting commitment to meeting the needs of our seniors. In fact, we are RELENTLESS!
We are proud to announce our company’s stance to assure the safety and wellness of our residents: we are now requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all new and existing team members. We feel this is the right thing to do in order to stay true to our mission of caring for seniors. We learned the value and importance of transparent communication with our residents and families. Our customers continue to appreciate the consistent updates and education on regulations as well as community changes. We are thankful our residents are now able to father with family and friends. Our team members become extensions of our residents’ families and played a vital role in connecting seniors to their loved ones when in-person visits were not an option. The emotional health of our residents and families is just as important as physical well-being. To learn more about Evergreen Place or to schedule a tour, call Kaitlan Van Hamme, at 815-672-0903 or visit us on the web at EvergreenSLC.com
The Times - Retirement Communities
Saturday, July 24, 2021 5
™
Five-Star Quality CMS Rated Skilled Nursing Facility
REGAIN WITH RESTORE! Optimize a successful return home from the hospital with a short stay rehab at Heritage Health!
HOSPITALIZED? ASK FOR US! • RESTORE THERAPY: Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy
• Easy Transition from Hospital to Heritage, to Home • Top-Notch Short Stay Rehab Experience • Excellent Infection Control Measures
Call Amy Today! (815) 672-4516 1525 E. Main Street HeritageOfCare.com/Streator /HeritageHealthStreator
WE’RE RELENTLESS! During the Pandemic we never gave up our pursuit of providing the best quality care for our residents and their families. OUR RESIDENTS ARE OUR #1 PRIORITY!
• 24-Hour Support Services • Restaurant-Style Meals • Senior-Friendly Transportation • Maintenance-Free Living • Pet-Friendly Community • Private Apartments
Call Kaitlan Today! (815) 672-0903 1529 E. Main Street
EvergreenSLC.com/Streator /EvergreenPlaceStreator
EvergreenPlace SUPPORTIVE LIVING
The Times - Retirement Communities
6 Saturday, July 24, 2021
Liberty Village
welcomes you!
T
he employees at Liberty Village of Streator have had the privilege of providing outstanding services to Streator and the surrounding area for the past 19 years. We have always provided exceptional care for our residents, including dementia care. Just prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, Liberty Village completed a project which consisted of a complete renovation to the Hawthorne Inn, which is the assisted living neighborhood. This renovation along with our memory care program is designed to enhance not only the physical function of individuals with dementia, but also to capitalize on their cognitive performance. Jessica Stayton, the Manager of the campus, stated, “We were very excited to show off our new renovations in April of 2020, but due to the pandemic we had to place our open house along with tours on hold. We are now touring again and eager to show off our newly renovated neighborhood.” Liberty Village is a not-for-profit organization with sister facilities in Princeton and Peru, Illinois. It currently has 50 independent and assisted living apartments along with the Villas, which are single family homes or duplexes for seniors who are 55 or better. If you would like more information, please contact Jessica Stayton at 815-672-1900 or visit our website www.libertyvillageofstreator.com.
The Times - Retirement Communities
Saturday, July 24, 2021 7
Explore Your Options!
VILLAS
HAWTHORNE INN
LIBERTY ESTATES
Single Family Homes
Assisted Living
Elegant Retirement Apartments
BOUNCE BACK
MANOR COURT
GARDEN COURT
Rehab ~ Recover Return Home
Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Center
Alzheimer’s/ Dementia Neighborhood
Liberty Village Not-for-Profit Providers 2322 N. Eastwood Ave., Streator 815-672-1900 SM-CL1895537
1101 31st St., Peru 815-224-2200
www.simplythefinest.net
140 N. 6th St., Princeton 815-875-6600
8 Saturday, July 24, 2021
e m o c l e W
The Times - Retirement Communities
TO OUR STREATOR COMMUNITY
L
ast November, The Villas of Holly Brook in Streator opened its doors to its first residents. Staff member Jessica Overocker had come in to apply for a CNA position but after taking a tour fell in love with the Activity Room. “I felt it was where I needed to be,” she says, “I applied for the Activity Director position right away.” With nearly 20 combined years in skilled nursing, home health, rehabilitation, and geriatric care, she was one of the first to be hired. “I worked hard to help open the building and turn it into a home. It was very rewarding.” “Our Streator community is an important part of The Villas of Holly Brook family. It provides residents with a place to enjoy their retirement with a focus on health, wellness, and socialization, either independently or utilizing our Levels of Care program,” said Reggie Philips, President of the Villas of Holly Brook. “Reflections Memory Care provides a continuum of care for residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s. We welcome new residents from the surrounding area, who also can benefit from our unique approach to enriching lives and lifestyles. This is a premier retirement community designed to meet the retirement and wellness needs of seniors in La Salle County.” A number of Streator residents have been saying positive things about The Villas online: Yvette says in a Google Review that her mother loves her apartment, enjoys the weekday movies in the Villas movie theater, and is always ready for another round of Bingo. “The food is delicious – the food service professionals offer excellence in the dining experience for all residents. Even personalizing as requested,” she adds. “Our family appreciates everyone here!” Sarah says The Villas have been “just what [her] mother needs to live her best life. The care she receives is second to none and the encouragement she receives is wonderful. It’s comforting to know that she is cared for and she is so happy.” Janice’s aunt had been at a nursing home under hospice care before moving into The Villas. “My aunt has made amazing improvements since she has been living at Holly Brook in Streator,” she said in a review. “She is now independent and active. The nurses keep me updated if there are any concerns. Every staff member goes out of their way to make sure my aunt is happy. I can’t say enough good. I am so glad I chose to move her here.” Jessica, the Activity Director, concludes, “We have been able to grow together as a community from the beginning. I am blessed to be the Activity Director of this beautiful and unique community. It has been a learning process doing something new but I have always wanted to make things better for seniors.” While the Grand Opening has been delayed, the community continues to thrive. Call and ask about a tour to see if it is the right place for you or a loved one. The Villas of Holly Brook is located at 2002 E. Main Street in Streator. For more information, call 815-673-7477. You can also visit www.villasofhollybrook.com or connect on Facebook
The Times - Retirement Communities
Saturday, July 24, 2021 9
The Times - Retirement Communities
10 Saturday, July 24, 2021
Weighing the Risks of Aging in Place
W
e should always have plans for the future. But for many older adults, those plans involve staying in their homes for the rest of their lives—also known as “aging in place”, which isn’t always the best plan. Some even idealize such decisions, completely dismissing the possible health and physical challenges that
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815-539-9673 www.mendotaareaseniorservices.org SM-CL1900428
The Times - Retirement Communities
Saturday, July 24, 2021 11
all of these factors increase the likelihood of social isolation, depression, and overall frustration.
may arise, and conversely the numerous benefits of moving to a senior living community or assisted living. The fact is, however, that communities offering services such as Pleasant View, provide residents an active lifestyle without the inherent hazards of remaining in their homes. The dangers are plenty. Typically, a haven, an older adult’s house can become a multitude of safety risks and everyday challenges: Steps that are difficult to climb or descend; icy, snowy walkways and driveways that require shoveling and cause slips and falls; chronic maintenance and repair hassles; and difficulties in cooking, doing laundry, and exercising. What’s more,
Pleasant View—in contrast—makes these worries things of the past. Here, residents enjoy active, maintenance-free, worry-free lives that offer the piece-of-mind needed to focus on a happy and fun retirement. They have ready access to a team of health professionals and routine care options right on campus. And fast help in the event of a medical emergency is guaranteed. Social aspects of life are better and more fulfilling, too. New and old friends and neighbors are a stone’s throw away, as are daily culinary adventures made possible thanks to Pleasant View’s expert chef. Experiencing these kinds of activities and eliminating
such concerns boost residents’ zest for life. Deciding to move to Pleasant View’s community of friends and professionals before problems and difficulties arise doesn’t diminish independence, it preserves, if not heightens it. Residents are confident that Pleasant View’s team members will exceed their needs and expectations; and perhaps most important, they’ll find confidence in their pursuit of an active and extended life that enables them to seize the joy of retirement to the fullest. There has never been a better time to explore how an assisted living or memory care community may assist you or your loved one. Call (815) 313-4202 to get a customized care plan you deserve!
Beautiful Affordable Senior Housing Developments Eligibility - Qualifying Seniors 62 years + Max Income $29,160 - 1 person & $33,300 -2 person
Ottawa
$435 1-bedroom • $600 2-bedroom
Streator
$440 1-bedroom
Single Story communities designed exclusively for Senior Citizens. Affordable monthly rent (excludes gas and electric) Waiting Lists are open for both properties. The Stough Group offers quality affordable senior housing. For more information, call The Stough Group at 630-789-8939 extension 707. Please call today for more information 630-789-8939
The T he SM-CL1901111
Group
The Times - Retirement Communities
12 Saturday, July 24, 2021
JOIN US FOR A VERY SPECIAL EVENT! MEDICARE 101
on Friday, July 30 at 2:00 PM Proper healthcare can help promote good health and increase longevity. The upcoming Medicare 101 event at Pleasant View will feature guest speaker Clifford Havens of LifeSmart Senior Services, who will share ideas for optimizing your healthcare and getting the most from Medicare.
RSVP today! Call (815) 313-4202 or visit pvottawainfo.org/Events
505 College Avenue • Ottawa, Illinois 61350