Healthy Seniors: When You Need a Helping Hand

Part of our series on healthy senior living. Aging is a natural part of life, but it eventually comes with day-to-day challenges. Our NWQ Guide to Healthy Senior Living is here to help.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series this issue on healthy senior living. Also see our articles on Healthy Eyes, Healthy Ears and Pain Management.

Pinecrest Grove cottages offer duplex homes in a 20-acre rural setting with beautiful landscaping.
Pinecrest Grove cottages offer duplex homes in a 20-acre rural setting with beautiful landscaping.

Pinecrest Community

414 Wesley Ave., Mt. Morris, Ill., (815) 734-4103, pinecrestcommunity.org
Type: Private, Christian, nonprofit
To schedule a visit: Call to make an appointment
Housing options: The Pinecrest Community campus offers four areas of care: Pinecrest Grove’s one- and two-bedroom cottage homes; Pinecrest Village’s one-, two- and deluxe two-bedroom apartments; Pinecrest Manor’s intermediate and skilled nursing and short-term inpatient rehabilitation facility; and Pinecrest Terrace’s specialized memory care facility.
Amenities: The Grove Community Center offers a cafe, fitness center, computer center, large auditorium and outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services.
What sets Pinecrest Community apart: “Pinecrest Community, one of the area’s highest-ranked facilities by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, boasts a legacy of nearly 125 years serving seniors,” says Ferol Labash, CEO. “Located on 30 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in a safe, small-town setting, Pinecrest offers several living options to fit your needs. We are proud our residents consider us an extended family.”

Highview features several common areas, providing an opportunity for residents to gather with family and friends or participate in one of many activities.
Highview features several common areas, providing an opportunity for residents to gather with family and friends or participate in one of many activities.

Highview in the Woodlands

1000 Falcon Point Place, Rockton, Ill., (815) 624-6700, highviewseniorliving.com
Type: Private, nondenominational, nonprofit facility
To schedule a visit: Walk-ins welcome weekdays, by appointment on weekends
Housing options: 36 one- or two-bedroom private, licensed assisted living apartments and 26 private suites, including a private bedroom and bath, on our licensed Alzheimer/Dementia-Related Care unit.
Amenities: An antique-filled lobby with a fireplace welcomes residents and guests. Each bright and spacious apartment has a call light. Caring nurses are on-site 24/7, as well as C.N.A. assistance, daily sittercise and outside therapies. Residents receive weekly housekeeping and laundry services for linens. An expert culinary staff provides delicious, nutritional meals in a lovely dining room atmosphere.
What sets Highview apart: Highview in the Woodlands has been “Caring since 1904,” our unique legacy! It goes beyond the limits of the walls. It is a lifestyle. Social activities transcend the four beautiful seasons of the year. Highview takes ordinary experiences and makes them extraordinary. Our caring includes the whole person’s health and joy of life. Our caring surpasses all expectations.

Parkview’s Church Park offers 20 enhanced independent apartments with full kitchens.
Parkview’s Church Park offers 20 enhanced independent apartments with full kitchens.

Parkview

1711 W. Church St., Freeport, (815) 232-8612, parkviewhome.org
Type: Locally managed, nonprofit Continuing Care Retirement Community
To schedule a visit: Contact Chris Kempel, marketing director
Housing options: Independent condos with one or two bedrooms; enhanced independent studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments; and assisted living studio and one-bedroom apartments
Amenities: Health center, fireside lounges, libraries, computer center, barber/beauty shops, outdoor terraces, special activities, sun porches and delicious meals, all within a lovely landscaped neighborhood. Other types of on-site care: Licensed Sheltered Care services include 24-hour monitoring by nursing staff. A memory care wing is coming soon.
What sets Parkview apart: Parkview is managed locally by a volunteer board of directors. Decisions are made at the local level based on the needs of the residents and the community. This is how Parkview grew from a small retirement home to a full continuum of care community. They continue to meet that need by adding memory care and private health center rooms. The Parkview community is welcoming and beautiful, and its staff is caring and compassionate.

The TV lounge provides a comfortable place to visit with friends or enjoy a movie.
The TV lounge provides a comfortable place to visit with friends or enjoy a movie.

Heritage Woods of Rockford

202 N. Show Place Drive, Rockford, (815) 332-3700, gardant.com
Type: Illinois Supportive Living Program facility managed by Gardant
To schedule a visit: Call and ask for Yvonne or Michelle
Housing options: Studio and one-bedroom apartments, each with a kitchenette, spacious bathroom and shower, emergency response system and independent climate control.
Amenities: Ongoing health monitoring and nursing assessments, a range of programs and events, three daily nutritious meals, activity room, beauty/barber shop, convenience store, dining room, exercise room, TV lounge, library, multi-purpose room, lobby with fireplace, patio and 24-hour staffing by certified nursing assistants.
What sets Heritage Woods apart: Heritage Woods is more than just a community, it’s home where residents of all incomes enjoy the privacy of their own apartments with the benefits of a caring staff around the clock, restaurant-style meals, and plenty of social and volunteer opportunities to give meaning and fullness to their lives.

Under Five Star Senior Living, Crimson Pointe invites residents into its senior living community not just to live, but to thrive.
Under Five Star Senior Living, Crimson Pointe invites residents into its senior living community not just to live, but to thrive.

Crimson Pointe

7130 Crimson Ridge Drive, Rockford, (815) 398-7792, lifeatcrimsonpointe.com
Type: Assisted living community managed by Five Star Senior Living
How to schedule a visit: Contact Mike Barr at (815) 398-7792
Housing options: Studio and one-bedroom apartments
Amenities: Large social room with fireplace; den with library and large-screen TV; lovely courtyard with water fountain; large covered patio with tables and chairs; flower gardens; on-site convenience store; restaurant-style fine dining; private dining room for special-occasion use by families.
Other Care Types on premises: Physical, speech and occupational therapy; home health care and hospice partners.
What sets Crimson Pointe apart: “Crimson Pointe is a community offering a close, welcoming neighborhood feel for seniors who need some support with activities of daily living,” says Mike Barr, marketing director. “We also offer individualized medication management customized to each resident’s needs. Rehabilitation and respite/short stays can be provided by our community. Our Lifestyle 360 program offers a unique approach to community living that focuses on the five dimensions of wellness: intellectual, social, physical, emotional and spiritual.”

Willows Arbor offers carefree assisted living on the Wesley Willows campus.
Willows Arbor offers carefree assisted living on the Wesley Willows campus.

Wesley Willows

4141 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, (815) 316-1500, wesleywillows.org
Type: Nonprofit under Wesley Willows Corporation
How to schedule a visit: Contact Megan Leverenz at (815) 316-6001
Housing options: 170 apartments dedicated to assisted living; Willows Arbor and Hunt Terrace offer studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments
Amenities: Fitness and aquatic centers, libraries, banking services, transportation, hair salon, church services, social activities, dining room service three times a day, private dining room, computer center, game and hobby rooms, chapel, a garden court, level walking paths and welcoming sitting areas. Guest apartments are available for visiting relatives. Other Care Types on premises: Independent living homes and suites; Kirk’s Place, an ability-centered memory support program; and a Skilled Rehab Center.
What sets Wesley Willows apart: “Wesley Willows is the most comprehensive, accredited continuing care community in the area,” says Bill Pratt, president and CEO. “Uncomparable facilities and our program offer six levels of care to assure that you can maintain your lifestyle as your needs change. Our commitment to continue to take care of those who outlive their own financial resources provides true peace-of-mind.”

Walking paths cross the 36 acres of Fairhaven’s property.
Walking paths cross the 36 acres of Fairhaven’s property.

Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center

3470 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 877-1441, fairhaven.cc
Type: Private, faith-based, Continuum of Care nonprofit
To schedule a visit: Call Chris Hintzsche at ext. 1303 or Tom Bleed at ext. 1304
Housing options: Duplexes, independent apartments and studios, supportive care
Amenities: Transportation for appointments, a coffee shop, gift shop, social gathering areas, library, computer stations, life enrichment activities, TVs with senior programming, emergency nurse call system in every room with 24/7 nursing staff, fitness center and Dakim online brain fitness program. Pets are welcome in duplexes.
Other Care Types on premises: A supportive care memory care area and complete nursing care in health center.
What sets Fairhaven apart: “The Christian focus outlined by our mission statement is shown through scheduled Bible studies, chapel services and chaplain who help keep our residents connected with their home church,” says Chris Hintzsche, director of marketing and resident services.

Presence Saint Anne Center is a joint commission accredited sub-acute rehabilitation and skilled nursing center in Rockford.
Presence Saint Anne Center is a joint commission accredited sub-acute rehabilitation and skilled nursing center in Rockford.

Presence Saint Anne Center

4405 Highcrest Road, Rockford, (815) 229-1999, presencehealth.org/saintannecenter
Type: Continuum of care division of Presence Health
To schedule a visit: Call to schedule an appointment
Housing options: Deluxe private and semi-private rooms
Amenities: Flexible dining options, daily housekeeping, Vallini Cafe, relaxing lounges, spa-like shower facilities, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, gift shop, courtyards, walking paths, religious services, special programs, hair salon, more. Other Care Types on premises: Short-stay rehabilitation, skilled nursing care and respite stays
What sets Presence Saint Anne apart: “Whether someone needs short-term therapy or long-term care, our goal is to make your time at Presence Saint Anne Center as comfortable as possible by providing exceptional service, all the comforts of home and hotel-like amenities at affordable rates,” says Roland Arreguin, marketing director. “Our multi-disciplinary team comprised of a physiatrist, medical director from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, advanced practice nurse and nurses with specialty accreditations provide personalized skilled care, no matter the diagnosis.”