Choosing to move into a senior living community is a major decision. We understand that. If you or a loved one are considering life at Oak Trace, we strongly encourage you to visit our community in Downers Grove, Illinois, for a tour so you can take a closer look at what makes it shine.
We also recommend you check out another tool — the Medicare Rating System — to help guide your decision, especially in instances where you are comparing communities. Oak Trace has a five-star rating (out of five) on the Medicare Compare website. Let’s explore what that means.
What Is the Medicare Rating System?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the Nursing Home Compare website to help people compare senior living communities across the United States. The service tracks Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes and skilled nursing providers.
The Nursing Home Compare website features a quality rating system that gives each nursing provider a rating of between 1 and 5 stars. Those with 5 stars offer “much above average quality.” Those with 1 star offer “much below average quality.” The website lists an overall five-star rating for each community, alongside a separate five-star rating for each of the following areas:
- Health inspections — This rating factors in the three most recent health inspections and investigations due to complaints. The most recent survey findings carry more weight.
- Staffing — This rating factors in the number of hours of care provided on average to each resident each day by nursing staff. A nursing home with residents who require more care would be expected to have more nursing staff on duty at any given time.
- Quality of resident care measures — The quality measure factors in 15 different physical and clinical measures for nursing home residents. It rates the level of care provided.
Oak Trace currently has a five-star rating on Nursing Home Compare website. We take pride in our ability to provide the best care possible for our residents. We take health inspections, staffing and quality of care very seriously. We believe our rating truly reflects the care we provide.
Note that the Medicare website offers additional resources for making your search for a senior living community easier, including this nursing home guide and nursing home checklist.
Benefits of a Continuing Care Retirement Community
There are a number of senior living options available. Right now it’s possible you or a loved one are seeking an independent living community where you can stay active and pursue your favorite hobbies. On-site services and amenities will certainly factor into this decision. Many people would also prefer to pick a location that is close to family and/or friends to begin their next chapter.
Wherever your current priorities may lie, it’s also important to consider the level of care available at a senior living community. A continuing care retirement community (CCRC), such as Oak Trace, encourages you to maintain your independence for as long as possible. Some people move into independent living and never move again. However, in the event that your health needs change, CCRCs provide access to the full continuum of care. This typically includes assisted living and memory care options, alongside skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.
A continuing care retirement community, also known as a Life Care community, allows you to live life to the fullest, while also providing access to additional care for a reduced market cost in case you happen to one day need them. Oak Trace’s five-star rating means that we can provide this level of care in an exceptional way.
Keep in mind that not all CCRCs are alike. We have some questions you can ask when choosing between communities to help you narrow down your options and find what is right for you.
Oak Trace Health Center Overview
Oak Trace’s Health & Wellness Center provides access to assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, and respite care services. We tailor the level of assistance we offer to residents based on their individual needs. Services include:
- Nurse and certified nursing assistance on-site 24 hours a day
- Personalized care plan developed with the resident and their loved ones
- Professional, friendly assistance with activities of daily living
- Assistance with medication management
- Access to a dietician for nutrition assistance
We also offer an inpatient dialysis service for our rehabilitation and skilled nursing residents. Our state-of-the-art dialysis center allows you to receive the care you need in comfort.
Dependable Care You Can Count On
We could continue to share details about the care we provide at Oak Trace, but we think it is best for you to schedule a visit and evaluate our senior living community for yourself. We have in-person and virtual tour options available, depending on what you prefer.
If you have questions about Oak Trace’s health services or would just like to know more about what makes us a five-star senior living community, we are always available to chat. Complete the form below or give us a call at 407-682-0230 to learn more.
