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What to Look for When You’re Looking for a Retirement Community – Politics & City Life
Andrea Donovan, 57, owner of Senior Living Advisors in Riverside, has analyzed 450 retirement homes in the Chicago area. Here are her tips for finding the right match… Read More

Staffing Is Key to the Selection of a Long-Term Care – American Parkinson Disease Association
I have so many fond memories of my dad and his dry but delightful sense of humor. I used to bring him a Long John (no, not the underwear but a long chocolate, creme filled doughnut) everyday when I visited him at the nursing home… Read More

Lessons Learned: Lecture Series Offers Solutions to Seniors’ Biggest Dilemmas – Chicago Tribune – July 11, 2013
Certified Geriatric Care Manager Andrea Donovan and Lexington Squares Director of Community Outreach Jerri Copple have recently partnered to provide solutions to some of the toughest decisions confronting seniors and their families today… Read More

Finding the bargains at retirement communities – Chicago Tribune – May 06, 2011
When Freida and Warren Schriner were considering a move to a retirement community, they worried the costs would overwhelm their pension and Social Security income… Read More

Senior Living Moments – Words to the Wise for August 2014

Senior Living Moments – Words to the Wise for July 2014

The Line Between Independent Living And Assisted Living Levels Of Care Is No Longer Distinct

Unlicensed Caregiver Costs North Riverside Man The Opportunity To Stay Home

Medicare Advantage Plans Are Not So Advantageous, Especially Now

Tools For Assessing Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Chicago Investigative Report On Assisted Living Neglect Addresses An ‘Old’ Problem

Do You Need To Convince A Senior To Move?

Quebec Retirement Community Fire Raises Questions About Emergency Evacuations

Senior Spirituality: Not To Be Ignored In The End Of Life Arena

Protect Your Senior Loved One’s Skin Before And During The Next Polar Vortex

Understanding The Potential Consequences Of Hiring An Unlicensed Non-Medical Home Caregiver

Some Conservative Religious Communities May Not Honor Your Loved One’s Last Wishes

The Top Three Holiday Senior Living Mistakes

Recognizing The Signs Of Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Don’t Ignore A Senior’s Signs Of A Heart Attack This Holiday

Addendum: Without Comparison Shopping Excessive Dental Charges May Catch Seniors Off Guard

Without Comparison Shopping Excessive Dental Costs May Catch Seniors Off Guard

Do You Have An Elder Care Plan If One Parent Outlives The Other?

Flexible Transportation Schedules May Be The “Key” That Convinces A Senior To Stop Driving

The Choice of A Senior Living Community Should Reflect A Loved One’s Preferences And Not Necessarily Yours

Researching Senior Living Options Early Can Help Avoid An Emotional And Financial Crisis

Denial and Lack Of Expertise With Senior Living Options Can Lead To Limited Choices

There Is Help For Hoarders But No Cure

Illinois Nursing Homes Get A Bad Grade According To A New Report

Evolving Guidelines For Bed Rail Use In Nursing Homes Help To Prevent Accidents

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Can Occur As Quickly As The Change Of Seasons

Protect Your Senior Loved One From The Next Chicago Heat Wave

If Your Senior Loved One Has Idiosyncrasies, ‘Person Centered Care,’ Is Your Best Bet

Tribune Article Points Out Pitfalls Of Having A Neighbor Act As Your Power Of Attorney

Medicare Advantage Plan Spoils Client’s Choice Of Nursing Homes

Seniors With Depression, Parkinson’s, And Dementia Benefit From Dance Therapy

Adult Day Care Fills An Important Void In Senior Living Options

Tragedy Proves Seniors With Dementia Should Never Travel Alone

The Switch From A 24-Hour Caregiver To Skilled Nursing May Be Tough On A Senior

Geriatric Depression And Its Social Challenges

Should Children Be Penalized For Not Visiting Parents Enough In A Long Term Care Community?

Family Consensus Should Play A Part In The Selection Of A Long Term Care Option

Location Should Never Be The Sole Criteria For Selecting A Long Term Care Community

Understand Your Loved One’s Terms Of Permanent Admission At A Nursing Home

Glenwood Gardens Incident Teaches A Lesson About Long Term Care Licensing

Watch Your Senior Loved Ones’ Hospital Admissions, Discharges, and Re-admissions

Patient Status Can Cause Controversy Under Medicare 30-day Readmission Rules

Options Are Limited For Persons With Dementia Under 65

Placement At The Wrong Level Of Care Causes The Senior To Suffer

When Transitioning A Loved One To Long Term Care Be Cautious Of What You Promise

When It Comes To Long Term Care Communities, Keep Your Expectations In Perspective

Don’t Let Your Senior Loved Enter The Long-Term Care, ‘Black Hole.’

Choose Your Senior Move Management Company With Discretion

Geriatric Care Management Is Invaluable For Out Of State Children

Alcoholic Dementia Presents Challenges At Any Age

A Senior’s Power Of Attorney For Health Care Should Know His/Her Personal History And Medical Needs

Internet Resources Aren’t Foolproof When Researching Senior Living options

Differentiating Between Continuing Care Retirement Community Contracts

Should You Keep Your Loved One At Home With Non-Medical Home Health Care or Place Him/Her In A LongTerm Care Community?

Intermediate Care Is A Fit For Seniors Between Assisted Living And Skilled Nursing

Senior Couples Wanting To Stay Together Present Special Living Challenges

Quick Tips For Your Loved One’s Post-Medicare Placement

Will My Loved One Lose His/Her Independence By Moving To A Long Term Care Community?

Does Your Loved One Need A Nursing Home Bed If They Are Public Aid Pending?

A Senior With Psychiatric Issues Will Present Special Placement Challenges

A Trial Stay At A Long-Term Care Community Can Determine A ‘Fit’ For A Senior

Washington Post Article Reflects Bias About Assisted Living Communities

Be Prepared To Act if You Suspect Elder Abuse

Comparing Assisted Living Memory Care Requires An Expert Eye

Who’s Watching Your Mother?

When Discussing Senior Living Options With a Parent, Don’t Force Him or Her to Take Your Suggestions

Staffing Is Key to the Selection of a Long-Term Care Community

Some High End Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) Offer Glitz But Lack Basic Care Essentials.

Real Life Story – Avoid Over-Parenting your Parent

Long Term Care – Let The Buyer Beware!

Evaluating the Services and Prices of Assisted Living Programs

Short-Term Rehabilitation Is Causing Long-Term Problems

When a Loved One Is In Between Levels of Care, Let Him or Her Start at The Higher Level and Work Down From There

Evaluating Financial Incentives Offered by Retirement Communities

If Your Loved One is Bilingual, Keep this in Mind

Real-Life Story: ‘If Your Loved One Has Alzheimer’s Disease, Don’t Let His/Her ‘Good Days’; Lead to Denial About Appropriate Care.’

How can I convince my loved one who has dementia to move, especially if she or he refuses?

Taking a walk-in tour of a senior community may have negative results.

Before your loved one makes a final decision on a retirement/assisted living community, make certain he or she samples the food.

Assess Care-Level Need and Financial Reality

Research Your Loved One’s New Doctor At Their Long Term Care Community

The Switch from Hospital to Nursing Home

The 5-star Rating System for Nursing Homes Deserves a Rating of 1

Varying Definitions of Assisted Living

Long Term Care Options Should Match Long Term Financial Realities

Your Retirement Vision–Does It Include Your Dreams?

Delaying a Loved One’s Move to Long Term Care

Reviewing the Services and Prices of Assisted Living Programs

Does Medicaid Pay for Assisted Living?

Choosing a Senior Community: Aesthetics vs. Quality of Care

The VA Aid and Attendance Benefit Can Reduce Long Term Care Costs