Q. Who is eligible to live at Sunnymere?
- Older Adults who would benefit from living in a community environment, with meals and someone to look out for them. We provide a home for both Independent and Supervised Care Residents.
Q. What is the difference between Independent and Supervised Care?
- Independent Care residents pretty much take care of themselves–but our staff is there for them when needed.
- Supervised Care residents need our help to take care of their daily living–whether it is help to get out of bed, get dressed, take meds, bathe, help to go to the bathroom, etc. We supervise daily living with personalized care, security and social activities.
Q. How does a resident reach the staff if they need assistance?
- Residents wear a pendant call button to reach staff at any time (24/7). The monthly rental charge is under $10.
- For residents who are ‘fall risks’, we have a special pendant that alerts staff if the resident goes down.
Q. What are the choices of living arrangements ?
- A single room (with a shared lavatory)
- A two- room suite with a private powder room.
- Please note–our residents live in the whole house of Sunnymere. There are no kitchens in any of the rooms (we do not have apartments). Walk-in showers are a few steps down each hall.
Q. How large is Sunnymere?
- We are small–averaging about 30 residents. Everyone gets to know each other!
Q. How did I find out current prices?
- Call us at 630-898-7844.
Does Sunnymere supply the furniture?
- No. Each family creates the living space for their loved one. Most everyone has a bed, dresser, TV and comfy chair. A small refrigerator is fine.
Q. What is included with my rent?
- Your own private room (s)
- 3 meals/day
- Housekeeping 5 days/week, we supply fresh towels, change your sheets and do your laundry once a week
- Activities are provided most every day.
- 24 hour staff
Q. Are there ‘Extra Charges’?
- Phillips Life-Line Pendant, under $10/month (added to rent)
- Hair Salon
- Podiatrist
Q. If I wanted to have my meal in my room, would that be all right?
- Meals are in the dining room. Eating with the other residents helps build ‘community’ and keeps loneliness away. There are times when a resident ‘goes out’ for a meal and has leftovers in his fridge. He could then eat in his room.
Q Are pets allowed?
- No, we are ‘Pet-Free’.
Q Are there any Entrance fees/Community fees?
- There is a $100 fee to submit an application. There are no ‘entrance fees’, but we do ask for a $500 security deposit for each room, and a deposit for the call button.
Q. What are the lease terms?
- There are no leases at Sunnymere. If a person is moving out, we ask that you give us 30 days notice.
Q. Do you accept Veterans Aid? How do we apply for it?
- Yes, depending on their assets and income, we have residents who receive Veterans Aid either because they were a veteran or they are the surviving spouse of a veteran. VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide monthly payments for qualified Veterans and survivors .
- Contact your county VA office to find out if you qualify.
Q. Do you accept Medicaid?
- No. Sunnymere is strictly Private Pay.
Q. Is Sunnymere part of a large conglomerate?
- No. There is only one Sunnymere–we are a non-profit, we have no owner– governed by a volunteer board of directors. Sunnymere is managed by our Executive Director.
Q. Do you accept residents with dementia?
- Those who are ‘wanderers’, or a danger to themselves or others, could not live at Sunnymere.
Q. What should I look for in a long term care community?
- Visit several communities. Decide on what would be your ‘deal-breakers’, such as cost, location, 24/hr staff, pets allowed, kitchen, etc.
Look around. Ask questions.
- Read the mission (found on the website). Does it align with your values?
- Is the organization a ‘for-profit’ or a’ non-profit’? (Note– 82 percent of senior living residences are currently for-profit.) Sunnymere is a non-profit.
- What is your first impression of the environment?
- Is the staff friendly?
- Is the building clean?
- Find out about the costs and what is included in the monthly rental fee meals, laundry, cleaning, etc.
- Is it Private Pay or Medicaid?
- What is included in Supervised Care?
- Are there extra charges, and what is the cost, for other services?
- Are staff available 24-hours a day?
- Is there a buy in required and how much is it and how is this handled (invested, yearly dividends applied, etc.) and what part, if any, is refundable when the resident leaves?
- What type of activities are offered?
- Does it fit the needs of the person(s) who will be living there?
- If your elderly relative can mostly care for himself or herself (Independent) , is there availability to remain in place and receive more assisted, personal care as time goes on?
- Can you talk to the residents?
- Are there restrictions on visiting?
- See if a potential resident can dine there with the residents.
