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Retire in Northbrook

If a senior can’t find a place to comfortably retire in Northbrook with all the necessary amenities from meals to entertainment then it probably hasn’t been built yet. Northbrook offers a wide range of retirement options to serve just about every possible need of today’s retirees.

For retirees who are in need of short- and long-term health care, ManorCare is there to services those specific needs. Eliana Casella, administrator, says, “our focus is to be the leading provider of physical, occupation and physical therapy. People come to us after a hospital stay, and stay with us for a week to a month. We have a lot of patients who come in after car accidents or hip and knee surgery, then go back to living their lives.”

What sets ManorCare apart, Casella says, is the intensity of the care. “At our facility, you can have up to four hours of therapy a day, every single day, seven days a week, Sundays and holidays.” Of course, the allotted time is dependant on doctor’s recommendations.

“We offer an in-patient pulmonary rehab program that is a post-acute program at the skilled nursing level,” Casella notes. “The design of the program aids in bridging the gap between hospital and home.”

This program assists in avoiding repeat hospital visits. The program includes disease education, including available medication and nutrition. “We do the therapy here and teach them how to do exercises at home,” Casella said. They also teach energy conservation and breathing retraining and offer a support group. “After they’ve gone to therapy and go home, we educate them through support groups [monthly or quarterly],” Casella said. Casella notes everything is covered by Medicare and most other insurance will cover the services as well.

In the community since 1999, ManorCare has 120 employees including registered nurses and CNAs, has 158 beds and 17 short-term rooms.

“In the long run, it’s better for the patient as well. We’re JCAHO Accredited (Joint Commission and Accreditation of Heath Care Organization) allowing us to take a lot of insurance that other facilities would not.

Chestnut Square at The Glen on Chestnut Ave. opened in 2003 but has been in the business for 150 years. “We’re a 55 and older community,” says Michael Fisch, marketing communications specialist for the community. “We’re independent living and we have a sister community [Bethany Terrace] and both offer all levels of care.” Bethany Methodist is Covenant’s parent company.

Sprawling over 2.5 acres and offering 176 units and an average resident age of 79, the community is about 95% filled to capacity and keeps the some 50 staff members jumping.

Fisch says they take pride in being different from similar facilities. “What makes us different is our location and programs including music lessons and outings.” Termed as a very laid-back, friendly and not stuffy community, they’re strategically located across from the Glen Town Center, a new main street of Glenview, shops, dining and movies. There’s also the new Glenview Senior Center.

While all of these amenities make for a big draw, Fisch says the community has an excellent priority waiting list program. For those who want a specific unit, they can make a $500 hold and “it’s one-hundred percent refundable,” Fisch said. “You’ll never lose your spot.”

Entrance fees are as little as $138,000 and also 100 percent refundable. For the investment, residents are eligible for meals (breakfast included) and have a choice of either lunch or dinner in the community’s Signature Dining Program.

Each unit comes with a full kitchen including washer and dryer, has a lifeline emergency call button (in the master bedrooms), and residents can be fitted with a wrist band or pendant in case of emergencies with paramedics minutes away.

Weekly housekeeping is also available and maintenance is included for jobs as small as changing a light bulb. There’s shuttle service for “anywhere they need to go,” Fisch says. From Monday though Friday, a comprehensive fitness center on site with an instructor, a barber shop and beauty salon, dry cleaning pick up and many leisure activities are all accessible by the shuttle.

Also onsite is a heath care facility complete with doctor, nurse and a podiatrist, all who are there daily.

For a great place to live, work or play, Cindy Garcia, director of sales and marketing for The Seasons at Glenview Place suggests a visit to their community on Concord Lane.

A rental retirement community with both independent and assisted living, the facility offers both one- and two-bed apartments, each with two meals per day in the dining room. Garcia says, “our bundled services include weekly housekeeping, scheduled transportation and on-site activities.”

Additionally, the community offers residents to partake in the “things that make retirement worth retiring over,” Garcia said. “What makes us different is we have outstanding programming, with live entertainment each Saturday night.” Furthermore, Garcia explains that 92 percent of their move-ins have come from referral sources. The typical wait is 60 to 90 days and staffed by 85 employees who have been with the community since its 1999 opening, “so they really get to know the residents,” Garcia said.

For those seeking a continuing care retirement community offering a full continuum of care through skilled nursing and a variety of financial and housing options, Covenant Village of Northbrook is a viable option.

Part of Covenant Retirement Communities, with 14 communities in eight states nationwide and in business for the past 120 years, these folks know what they’re doing.

Retirees can join the village and be confident they’ll be home there no matter what happens regarding their healthcare needs. Covenant Village offers a variety of residential settings; one can choose an apartment, a duplex or quadraplex home ranging from studios to two-bedroom units.

Sprawling across 55 acres and staffed with some 260 employees, Covenant Village boasts 271 residences and assisted living and skilled nursing services as well. Other offerings include physical, occupational and speech therapy and memory support. Covenant Village is accredited with the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission.

Covenant Retirement Communities offers a partnership for wellness called LifeConnect™ at all its communities. This puts the emphasis on wellness to provide opportunities to address every aspect of life that’s the foundation of a full and rewarding life. If the resident wants to pursue something of interest, such as learning a language, the individual can talk to staff members who will help locate or create the option desired. It might be on-site or in the surrounding community.

Currently, residents must pardon the village’s dust as there is a monster construction project going on. Slated for a 2008 opening, the new town center will create 44 second- and third-floor apartment homes. The first floor will offer a full range of community amenities. As an added convenience, says Marketing Director Darlene Foss, “The new building will bring a wealth of convenience with more than 134,000 square-feet.”

There will be underground parking, and on the first floor there will be a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, indoor swimming pool, living room with fireplace, library/media center, classroom, game room, creative arts center, beauty salon and a barbershop. There will also be a general store, multipurpose room and a post office. There will also be a variety of dining options in the new building “from a casual bistro atmosphere to restaurant-style service including tablecloths,” Foss said.

Navigating The Insurance Maze

The insurance industry has become increasingly complex and sorting through all the options can be a challenge for small business owners, those on Medicare and people looking at things such as health savings accounts (HSAs) or long-term care insurance. Scott Loochtan, Principal at Senior Services of Illinois, Inc. says, “Choosing the appropriate insurance agency is imperative and that is why SSI has teamed up with Blue Cross Blue Shield, ‘The Name You Know and Trust.’ SSI has been one of their largest dedicated teams for over 11 years.” SSI is a Northbrook-based company that has representatives with years of experience in helping small business owners and individuals figure out which insurance plan is best for them.

Although searching the web has become a popular way to find information, Loochtan points out that, “In the ever-changing world of technology, people have forgotten how professional advice and customer service from a true specialist can aid the decision-making process.” Getting that solid information and guidance can be invaluable when looking at things such as Medicare supplements, individual health insurance, group health insurance, short-term health insurance, health savings accounts (HSAs), long-term care, and fixed annuities. Loochtan also stresses, “People considering retirement have crucial choices to make. On the top of their list is how to protect their assets in case of long-term illnesses. SSI has professional advisors to help retirees and pre-retirees decide if there is a need for asset protection prior to retirement or during retirement.” He also notes that one of SSI’s main goals is to help clients make educated and informed choices about insurance needs.

When faced with making decisions that can affect your financial well-being, it can be a good idea to check with an expert. Loochtan’s advice? “Choosing the proper insurance product through a professional firm with top-rated insurance carriers will save money, time and aggravation—choose wisely!”

Self-Care & Self-Confidence
by Catherine L. Tully

Physical health, mental wellness and self-confidence are all “buzz” words these days, and exercise, eating well and feelings of self-assurance all contribute toward a healthy, happy lifestyle. Here, two Northbrook-area businesses share some thoughts on what their profession does for their clientele:

Self-Care
Physical exercise can boost self-confidence by improving one’s musculature—and there are potential health perks as well, such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Bob Suren is the operator of Fitness 19, a Northbrook neighborhood fitness center that offers a variety of cardiovascular and weight-training equipment as well as personal training. Suren says that personal training is a great way to get started on a solid fitness routine and achieve maximum benefits.

“We have over 10 trainers that are all nationally certified,” he says, pointing out that they can really help people get into an exercise program—or even get back into the swing of things after some time off. Adding simple changes such as eating more fruits and vegetables or employing a food diary to keep an eye on calories to an established fitness program can help changes add up even more quickly

Self-Confidence
Making direct eye contact. Walking with confidence. Facing the world with a smile. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael A. Epstein, has seen what cosmetic surgery can do for a person’s self esteem. His generous contributions with such organizations as Y-Me, the Sue Duncan Children’s Foundation and Chicago’s Esteem Makeover have furthered his belief that cosmetic surgery can certainly help boost a person’s level of confidence.

“Since entering the field of cosmetic surgery, I’ve seen incredible transformations with my patients, both physically and spiritually,” says Dr. Epstein, who has been in private practice since 1992 and is founder of Northbrook Plastic Surgery and Transcend Advanced Skincare Center. “There’s nothing quite as thrilling as contributing to someone’s newfound sense of self and well-being. I can’t imagine a more fulfilling profession.”

Retire in Northbrook

Self-Care & Self-Confidence by Catherine L. Tully

Self-Care & Self-Confidence
by Catherine L. Tully