Nursing Homes near Belleville, IL

Nursing Homes in Belleville, Illinois

Studies show that 70-80% of those living in nursing homes are over the age of 65, but the fastest growing age group is 70 and over group. That means that people are living longer, and where the average nursing home stay in the 70's and 80's was two years, today it's longer, depending on the individual's health and circumstances. The good news is that many seniors enjoy their lives in community living far more than they did living on their own. A nursing home provides a comfortable, supportive environment for seniors with a group of their peers, and it helps expand their overall quality of life. Your loved one may be impressed with life in a nursing home, and they may find all of their fears were unfounded.

Living in Belleville

George Blair named the city Belleville, French for "beautiful city," because he believed a French name would attract new residents. Most of the immigration to the city followed the German revolutions of the mid-19th century, so most of the population is of German heritage. As these settlers began to arrive, much of the German culture arrived with them. The first brewery opened in 1868, and not only was it new to Belleville, it was also the first brewery in the state of Illinois. Following that, Gustav Goelitz opened the candy company known as "Jelly Belly." The influence of German culture is still in effect today. Many of the homes in Belleville reflect the German architecture, the first library was opened by a German immigrant, and it predates the Illinois State Library by three years, and the art scene has a heavy Germanic influence, as well. Seniors in the area will benefit from several cultural experiences as the city has changed over the years, but they will also experience the German roots that helped build the city to what it is today.

Benefits of a Nursing Home

There are many benefits to living in a nursing home, including assistance with daily activities, a social environment, housekeeping, food service, health care service, and access to other resources. There may come a time when your loved one needs assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. When that time comes, a nursing home can help residents manage these tasks and more. Nursing homes also provide seniors with a built-in social network of their peers. Through home activities and day trips to surrounding attractions, seniors can make new friends and socialize to keep them engaged. Housekeeping can often be an issue for seniors as they get older, so the good news is that a nursing home handles all of those details for residents. This includes laundry, dry cleaning, and general cleaning of the apartment. Nursing homes provide food and snacks to residents. It's important to find a nursing home that has the ability to provide fresh foods, a varied menu, and any dietary restrictions your loved one may need. Health care services are an important benefit for seniors, especially those who have experienced medical issues such as heart attack, stroke, or Alzheimer's. Nursing homes also provide residents access to other resources as needed. This includes internet, fax, and phone services.

Paying for Nursing Home Care

Families should know that the average cost of nursing home care is about $50,000 a year. That figure is estimated to change drastically over the next five years because seniors are living longer, and it also depends on your loved one's individual care package. Those who choose a more upscale nursing home with extra features and benefits may find their costs higher than those who choose a more basic establishment. When it comes to paying for care, families have several options. Insurance is available to those who plan ahead and purchase it. It doesn't cover all costs associated with nursing homes, but it does cover a pretty big chunk of it. You can also check with Illinois to see if you qualify for federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. These can often be used in conjunction with insurance to help offset the costs, allowing you to avoid paying out of pocket. As a last resort, families can pay out of pocket, but this option should only be used as a last resort. It's easy to underestimate the amount of money you need to cover all of the expenses, and experts recommend families don't go into debt trying to pay for nursing home care. Talk to the program director of the nursing home you choose to get a better idea of all of your options.

Nursing home care is a great way to help aging loved ones receive the help and care they need, and still keep them close enough to visit whenever you want. Although you might wish to take care of your loved one yourself, you also have to consider your own life and responsibilities, and sometimes that doesn't leave a lot of time to provide the level of care your loved one needs. Placing a loved one in a nursing home has a ton of benefits to them, and it may make the most sense for their care.