One of our most significant decisions in life is how we’ll be cared for when we can no longer care for ourselves. This guide introduces you to some of the excellent care available within our region.
Decades 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 include a desire to gain freedom to travel, 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.
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 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 housing, social activities and increasing levels of care.
Now, more than ever, quality care for your aging loved ones is top of mind. Their safety and comfort are paramount as you seek the best choice possible to address their needs.
In the following pages, our annual guide introduces you to some of the top destinations for making the most of your retirement years. These are residences that pride themselves on quality and responsible care now, and always.
Greencastle of Allerton
5921 Allerton Drive, Rockford
(815) 316-0490, [email protected]
Residents who call Greencastle of Allerton home enjoy affordable housing for seniors 62 and older. Our community is located on a 9-acre campus with a walking path around the entire perimeter. We have 20 one-bedroom apartments each equipped with features including a patio/balcony, air conditioning unit, emergency alert system and a walk-in shower. The community is conveniently located on the city bus route near popular restaurants, banks and medical facilities.
In addition, residents have access to on-site laundry facilities, a beauty salon, a computer lab, a library, an exercise room, a craft room, a community room, and a large private courtyard area featuring raised garden beds, a grill, and a covered pavilion with seating for activities and resident parties.
Services include on-site 24/7 maintenance, on-site manager and social services coordinator, and weekly bus trips to the grocery store and pharmacy. Regular opportunities for physical, social, intellectual, emotional and spiritual engagement encourage active aging and living well.
Greencastle of Allerton is owned and managed by Embrace Living Communities, whose mission is to provide actively aging adults and people with disabilities affordable, welcoming homes in communities that embrace living. Our Greencastle of Allerton team embodies this mission every day. Now is the time to embrace your living! Please contact us to learn more.
Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center
3470 N. Alpine Road, Rockford,
(815) 877-1441, fairhaven.cc
Fairhaven is a faith-based continuum of care that offers maintenance-free living in independent apartments and duplexes.
This private, nonprofit community also provides more care for those who need increased physical or cognitive assistance through its supportive care and health center areas.
Fairhaven is often chosen for Christian living, spiritual programming, planned activities and amenities. However, Fairhaven’s welcoming and family-oriented community is also important to people.
One resident’s family member recently stated, “I appreciate the friendly staff and caregivers so much. Everyone greets my mom by name. They treat her with true kindness. Fairhaven is a blessing for my mom and our family.”
Highview in the Woodlands
1000 Falcon Point Place, Rockton, Ill.,
(815) 624-6700, highviewseniorliving.com
Nestled in a natural and beautiful setting, residents at Highview in the Woodlands can enjoy year-round serenity with spring blossoms, summer roses, changing leaves and snow on the pines. Highview has 36 one- or two-bedroom private apartments in the assisted living unit and 26 private bedroom and bath suites in the secure, licensed Alzheimer’s unit.
Services include nurses on site 24/7, CNAs to assist, call lights, therapeutic diets, available therapies, and weekly housekeeping and laundry. All services are directed under a dedicated staff with extensive experience in both geriatric and Alzheimer’s care. Staff is committed to making transitions for new residents a smooth and pleasant experience as they enter their new phase of life at Highview.
Highview in the Woodlands is centrally located in Rockton, Ill., a short drive for family members coming from Rockford, Belvidere or Beloit. Walk-ins are welcome on weekdays, and visits are by appointment on weekends at this private, nondenominational, nonprofit facility.
“Highview has a unique legacy of ‘Caring since 1904.’ It goes beyond the limits of our walls,” says Carol Cox, CEO of Highview Retirement Home Association. “Our caring includes the whole person’s health and joy of life.”
Heritage Woods
4730 Squaw Prairie Road, Belvidere, (815) 544-9495, gardant.com
202 N. Show Place Dr., Rockford, (815) 332-3700, gardant.com
1500 South Forest Road, Freeport, (815) 801-3900, gardant.com
Heritage Woods is your choice for an affordable, assisted lifestyle community for older adults who need some help to maintain their independence.
A financial assistance program is available to those who qualify, making the Heritage Woods lifestyle affordable to all. If you or a loved one would benefit from an assisted lifestyle community, but are concerned about financial arrangements, please do not hesitate to ask the staff about this financial assistance program.
The Supportive Living Program is available in Illinois for seniors 65 or older who need help maintaining their independence regardless of their financial resources. Seniors on Medicaid who receive minimum Social Security income can qualify.
Living well can mean different things to each person. Heritage Woods follows the Seven Dimensions of Wellness.
They are Intellectual, Physical, Social, Spiritual, Vocational, Environmental and Emotional Wellness.
Are any of these missing in your wellness, or that of a loved one? Imagine if all these needs were met, you would truly be Living Well. Plan your visit to one of Heritage Woods’ communities and see how they can help you Live Well.
Parkview Home
1234 S. Park Blvd., Freeport,
(815) 232-8612, parkviewhome.org
As its name suggests, Parkview Home in Freeport is steps away from beautiful Krape Park and is conveniently located near Highland Community College, the YMCA, a hospital and medical clinics, Freeport Public Library, golf, churches, a country club, dining and shopping.
But that’s just the beginning of a community that provides a continuum of care through maintenance-free homes, individual apartments, assisted living, a health care center, memory care and rehabilitation services.
This cozy community boasts plenty of home-like amenities including a library, barber and beauty shops, outdoor terraces, sun porches, activities, transportation and delicious meals, all within a lovely, landscaped neighborhood.
Other types of on-site care include restorative care, 24-hour monitoring by licensed nursing staff and licensed therapy services.
“What makes Parkview unique is our continuum of care, which allows residents to move from one level of care to another within the same community without leaving the facility,” says Dee Kuhlemeier, manager of marketing and human resources. “As the resident’s needs increase and more care is required, the cost of that care increases. The lifetime care plan guarantees if a resident loses their ability to pay for their stay, they do not have to leave, and they’ll be taken care of for the rest of their life.”
Memory Lane at Liberty Village
2170 Navajo Dr., Freeport, (815) 233-2400, libertyvillageoffreeport.com
Memory Lane – Fitness for the Mind at Liberty Village of Freeport is more than just a name. This new extension of the long-term care facility is focused on providing individualized therapeutic programming focused on cognitive processing and designed to encourage those with memory impairment to use their remaining abilities and maximize their current level of function. Fitness of the Mind seeks to exercise the brain, enhance memory and maintain independence.
Programming is tailored to each individual’s physical, mental and psychosocial well-being. Memory Care Specialists are there every moment of the day to guide your loved one’s interactions using their unique level of functioning.
Independence is a top priority. Your loved one will be encouraged to perform everyday tasks such as dressing, bathing and maintaining personal hygiene as independently as possible. Care Specialists are there to assist and provide support where needed. Fitness for the Mind also provides programming to help your loved one walk, eat and maintain continence with a realistic level of independence.
By focusing on your loved one’s remaining abilities and lived experiences, Memory Care Specialists can actively ensure they are thriving, not simply surviving through the struggles related to memory impairment. Fitness of the Mind gives you the freedom of knowing your loved one is not just being cared for. They are being actively encouraged to live their best possible life.
Sullivan Home Improvement Solutions
Rockford Area | (815) 234-0688, sullivanhomeimprovementsolutions.com
By 2030, there will be more people over the age of 65 than people under the age of 18, according to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), and an estimated 85% of seniors prefer staying in their homes. As the only contractor in the Rockford area that is a Certified Age in Place Specialist (CAPS), Sullivan Home Improvement Solutions makes independent home living a reality.
Reducing the chances of a fall is the first and most important part of the equation. The AARP states that 80% of falls happen in the bathroom. Sullivan’s suite of services, which include walk-in showers, first-floor laundry, stair lifts and custom entryways, are designed to address 90% of the areas where falls generally occur. Combine these services and save.
Sullivan Home Improvement Solutions can add years of independent living for seniors at a fraction of what it would cost to move to a retirement community.
“When we install a tub or shower conversion, move the laundry to the first floor and, where necessary, add a stair lift, we address 90% of the problem areas,” says owner Michael Sullivan. “We work quickly and make sure that everything is in place and inspected by the local building inspectors. This gives our clients an additional layer of insurance and ensures the project is up to code. And we respond within 24 hours to any issue that arises.”
Luxetone Hearing Studio
1656 N. Alpine Road, Rockford | (815) 269-6662 luxetone.com
Luxetone Hearing Studio helps patients regain the portion of life they’ve been missing: the ability to hear clearly and enjoy the sounds of life.
A team of elite hearing care specialists makes the process of hearing simple and effortless. From the moment you call Luxetone or walk through the doors, you are treated with friendly and personalized service. Each member of the Luxetone team possesses proper credentials and has passed rigorous interviews and tests before joining the staff. They are committed to investing in your journey to hear the sounds of life again.
The expert staff takes all the stress and hassle out of choosing a hearing device by ensuring a comfortable, effortless experience. As an independent practice, free of manufacturer affiliation, the hearing care specialists are able to hand-select from any brand or device on the market to offer the best hearing solutions. They are determined to protect your hearing and improve your hearing loss, thus improving your quality of life.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a hearing care specialist by visiting luxetone.com or calling (815) 269-6662.