Retirement Communities in Rockford for Senior Health and Longevity


Choosing retirement communities inRockford is a big decision. Your choice will affect your – or your loved one's  finances, quality of life, and in many cases,  health and longevity. Here’s an overview of the four main types of retirement communities, how they work and their approximate cost.

Why choose independent living?
Also called senior apartments or 55-plus communities, independent living facilities are for seniors who don’t need any special medical care or assistance with daily activities. They consist of private apartments that usually include a kitchen or kitchenette and come in sizes ranging from studios to two bedrooms. Rent can range from $1,500 to $3,500 a month, according to the senior living website APlaceforMom.com. Rent depends on apartment size, geographic region and amenities. Some independent living communities also have a high buy-in fee. Others have a small entrance fee of perhaps $750 to $1,500, and still others have no buy-in or entrance fees at all.

Retirement communities in Rockford include utilities, meals, housekeeping, basic maintenance and scheduled transportation for errands and doctor visits in the monthly rent, while others assess these charges separately. Social activities and outings typically cost extra. Overall, the costs can be similar to what you’d pay if you continued to live at home, but independent living communities offer a maintenance-free lifestyle and potentially greater opportunities to socialize.

If not for independent living, go for assisted living
Assisted living communities are for retirees who don’t need the high level of care provided by a nursing home, but do need some assistance with activities of daily living. Assistance might include help getting dressed, and bathing and toileting assistance. Medication reminders might be included. Assisted living can also be appropriate for patients with early stage memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer’s who need extra help, supervision and security.  The average monthly assisted living rate for a private room, board, housekeeping and some personal assistance was $3,550 per month in 2012, according to the MetLife Mature Market Institute Market Survey of Long Term Care Costs. The lowest rate of $2,355 per month was in Arkansas, and the highest, at $5,933 per month, was in Washington, D.C.

Living in a nursing home is for patients who need extensive medical care and is the next-closest thing to hospital care. Nursing homes also offer assistance with daily living activities, such as eating, dressing, getting around and bathing. Some nursing homes are set up to feel more like residences, while others feel more like hospitals.  Along with the considerations above, it’s important to evaluate the financial stability of any facility you’re considering, especially if it has a large up-front fee. You should also check the facility’s complaint history.  Before committing to retirement communities in Rockford, see whether you can arrange a short-term stay, perhaps two nights, to get a sense of what it’s like to live there.

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