Nursing Homes near Oak Park, IL

Nursing Homes in Oak Park, Illinois

The average age of a senior living in a nursing home is 65 and older, and according to healthcare studies, the fastest growing age group in the U.S. is the 70 and older group. The numbers suggest that more people are entering nursing homes each year. It's important for families to be on the same page about what their plans are for the future, and the sooner they have that conversation, the better. Once a senior reaches the point where they need help, it's too late to talk about it. At that point, families are reacting to a situation, and they may not have time to research nursing homes. The good news is that Oak Park has plenty of nursing homes in the surrounding area to help you once you and your loved one have the nursing home conversation.

More About Oak Park

Oak Park, Illinois is classified as a village, and it's on the west side of Chicago. The town has a long and varied relationship with prohibition, and alcohol sales were not allowed in the village until 1973. The law changed to allow restaurants and hotels to serve alcohol, although residents still needed to go to Chicago to buy their own alcohol. In 2002, certain grocery stores were permitted to sell alcohol, but in general, Oak Park is often considered a "dry" village. Lawmakers in the area think the lack of alcohol is one of the reasons it's a safer place to live than its neighboring metropolitan. One of the other notable aspects of the village is that it has the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes in the nation. Fans of architecture travel to Oak Park just to look at the homes. The village is also the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway, and the museum in his name is a cultural attraction. Despite its proximity to Chicago, Oak Park has kept its small-town vibe, and offers a lot of attractions that retired seniors may wish to see and experience.

What You Should Know About the Nursing Home

If it's time to consider a nursing home, there are questions you should ask before you choose a facility. First, you should ask if the community is secure. Safety is important to the elderly, especially when they're in an unfamiliar place. Next, ask what type of training the staff has, and how long they have worked in their field. Find out what medical services are available, and how often families are updated about their loved one's well-being. Also ask what kind of alternative medicines they facility uses, if any. Finally, make sure the nursing home is registered in Illinois, and that it's in good standing with the inspectors. A facility not in good standing may not be up to code in some way or another, and that's not a place you want to take your loved one. Once you have an answer to these questions, you can accurately compare the facilities to one another.

What You and Your Loved One Can Expect

When you choose the right nursing home for your loved one, it can be a positive experience. Several facilities in Oak Park provide lifestyles that encourage your loved one to grow, and also nurture their personality. Good facilities consider personal preferences and individuality when they design a care program for your loved one. You can expect them to receive fresh air, appropriate exercise, daily activities, and proper medical attention. The facility should include plenty of daily activities to keep seniors engaged, and should encourage as much social interaction as possible. This creates meaning by pulling from previous interests, and it allows them to develop relationships with their new community.

Deciding that a nursing home is the next step for a loved one is not an easy choice to make. Begin by researching nursing homes online. Be prepared to ask questions about the facility and how it treats its residents. You must be comfortable with the facility, and so should your loved one. The place you choose should be one that meets all of your requirements, and it should provide your loved one with a quality of life that is better than if they lived on their own. Oak Park offers a lot of diversity and some outdoor recreation, so nursing homes should provide options that allow seniors to take advantage of those options. It's also important for the nursing home to provide plenty of opportunities to socialize with other residents.