Perhaps one of our most significant decisions in life is how we’ll be cared for when we can no longer care for ourselves. Here’s a guide to some of the excellent care available within our region.
Not that long ago, “retirement home” was synonymous with “nursing home.” Thankfully, that’s no longer true. Today’s retirement communities offer an array of living options that accommodate all senior lifestyles and phases of senior life, such as independent living, personal care, home care and skilled nursing care.
Reasons to move into a senior living community can range from a desire to eliminate the day-to-day challenges of keeping up a home, the social need to live near people the same age, or sometimes an inability to manage on one’s own. Luckily, seniors and their families have numerous resources to consult for information and advice, from the Internet to local agencies.
Many retirement communities cater specifically to independent, active retirees, some as young as 55. By taking advantage of the convenience and carefree lifestyle that senior living communities offer, retirees are better able to travel and do things they enjoy.
Other retirement facilities offer assisted living for those who need help with certain day-to-day activities, or skilled nursing care for those who require round-the-clock medical care.
Still others offer all three options within one community, providing guaranteed housing, social activities and increased levels of care as needs change. These communities give older adults the option to live in one location for the duration of their life, which can provide a great level of comfort to them and their families.
This diversity of senior living options is well represented in our region. Offering the most comprehensive listing in the area, our Senior Living Guide will introduce you to some of these excellent retirement communities.
Crimson Pointe Senior Living
7130 Crimson Ridge Dr., Rockford, Ill. • (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. Our community can provide rehabilitation and respite/short stays. 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.”
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’s/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.
Heritage Woods
4730 Squaw Prairie Road, Belvidere, Ill. (815) 544-9495
202 N. Show Place Dr., Rockford, Ill. (815) 332-3700
gardant.com
Type: Illinois Supportive Living Program managed by Gardant
To schedule a visit: Call or stop in
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 meals daily, 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 a 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.
Oakley Courts Assisted Living
3117 W. Kunkle Blvd., Freeport, Ill., (815) 233-5129
Just like the community of Freeport, Oakley Courts Assisted Living has its own flavor, personality and heart. Because those who live, work and visit here affect one another in profound ways, we at Oakley Courts have created YOUnite, a unique way of interacting with our customers.
The purpose of YOUnite is two-fold. First, we want to establish our residents as individuals who are at the core of our decision-making. Second, we want to recognize the contributions of our staff, our families and our community as key components of the individuality of our residents.
By focusing on five distinct YOUnite categories – RESIDENT CHOICE, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, STAFF APPRECIATION, HOME-LIKE ENVIRONMENT, and THE DINING EXPERIENCE – we’re better able to care for our community and create the positive outcome that our residents, families and staff deserve.
The heartbeat of Oakley Courts is represented in our YOUnite committee, which seeks input from staff, residents and families to ensure that our actions are consistent with the wishes of these important members of our community.
We’ve established a process of continual feedback, in order to understand the needs and expectations of our residents, their families and our staff, as well as the needs of our local community.
Parkview Retirement Community
1711 W. Church St., Freeport, Ill., (815) 232-8612
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; assisted living studio and one-bedroom apartments; and 24-hour health center
Amenities: Fireside lounges, libraries, computer center, barber/beauty shops, outdoor terraces, sun porches, activities, transportation and delicious meals, all within a lovely landscaped neighborhood.
Other types of on-site care: Restorative care, 24 hour monitoring by licensed nursing staff and licensed therapy services. 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.
Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center
3470 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, Ill., (815) 877-1441, fairhaven.cc
Type: Private, faith-based, Continuum of Care nonprofit
To schedule a visit: Call Chris Hintzsche at (815) 87701441, ext. 1303, or Tom Bleed at ext. 1304
Housing options: Duplexes, independent apartments and studios, supportive care, health center
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 and personal pendants 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 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.
Siena on Brendenwood
4444 Brendenwood Road, Rockford, Ill.
(815) 399-6167, sienaonbrendenwood.org
Walk through the doors of Siena on Brendenwood, in Rockford, and you get the feeling there’s no place like home. That’s because life at Siena is all about quality of life through choices, connecting with others, caring, learning and sharing.
We’re a welcoming retirement community, where making friends is easy and comfortable. Neighbors care about each other and are eager to extend a welcoming hand. Our staff has your happiness at heart, and you’ll experience a level of service and quality that make us Rockford’s expert provider for upscale independent living for seniors.
A nonprofit independent living facility owned by the Catholic Diocese of Rockford, Siena has 105 apartments, with a choice of seven floor plans, ranging in size from 672 to 1,944 square feet. Siena offers various payment and residency plans, including arrangements for those who want to live at Siena just six months out of the year.
Siena residents enjoy a dining room offering nightly dinners and Sunday brunches; common areas such as a formal living room, library, game room, billiards and computer/creative arts center; and beautifully landscaped courtyard and grounds. On-site amenities include a convenience store, beauty and barber shop, storage space and private mailboxes.
To learn more about this exclusive retirement community or to schedule a visit to our campus, please call (815) 399-6167.