Wisconsin Senior Living

There is good news in Wisconsin when it comes to finding a Jewish assisted living center to settle into. There are many Jewish Retirement Communities to choose from, and for the most part, assisted living centers are all well rated. Coupled with these are many secular and nondenominational assisted living centers, set in and around Jewish communities that expand the number of good choices significantly.

Ovations Communities offers three Jewish assisted living centers in Wisconsin. Two of the three are based in Milwaukee, with the third set in Mequon, WI. These are specifically Jewish care centers, catering to the needs of faithful seniors that are committed to faith as they seek some measure of physical care.

Then there is Our House Senior Living, a member of the Keystone Senior Management Services group of assisted living centers. This assisted living center is not Jewish but it does recognize the value of maintaining spiritual health, and they are in an area of Wausau that is served by the Mt. Sinai Congregation, so they have easy access to the support Jewish seniors will be looking for.

So, Wisconsin has some interesting choices for faithful seniors to consider.

Cost of Jewish Assisted Living in Wisconsin

Compare Wisconsin to the national average for assisted living centers assisted living and seniors will find monthly rates that are about $500 more expensive, compared to the national average of $4,000. At the same time though, there are some really inexpensive alternatives, like those offered La Crosse, WI, where the average rate is closer to $2,600 per month. Oshkosh, WI, goes pretty dramatically in the opposite direction, with averages that are a lot closer to $5,500 each month. All of this is against a national average for Jewish assisted living that is $4,000 per month.

Jewish Assisted Living Communities in Wisconsin - Amenities

Jewish communities have a few key things in common, and this is more the case with Jewish assisted living facilities. These are basic things every faithful senior should expect to find and if any are missing, it ought to give seniors pause as they weigh their options. After all, the assisted living center they choose will be their new home and if that home doesn’t give them what they need to remain spiritually healthy, nothing else these centers do will be as effective.

Jewish Retirement Communities in Wisconsin - Religious Amenities

It begins with the synagogue, the center of faithful life for Jews as they work to build a personal relationship with God. This is the anchor of every Jewish congregation, where members join together in worship, religious education, community outreach and more. It is effectively the beating heart of a Jewish community and in a Jewish assisted living center, the synagogue may actually be on the premises so it’s always in easy reach.

Rabbis are the glue that hold these congregations together. They are carefully selected by the community elders to take the reins and help guide every member of the congregation to their own personal relationship with God. The do this through preaching, teaching and counseling, and are actively involved in the spiritual life of every congregant that reaches out to them for care and guidance. In a Jewish assisted living center, they will most likely be on staff and practically always available.

Jews understand and accept that they are imperfect. They also understand that God will embrace them, even with these imperfections, if they meaningfully atone for their indiscretions. This is known as atonement, and Jewish communities make great efforts to help seniors find ways to effectively atone for their sins. In Jewish assisted living centers, these activities will often be a part of the regular schedule of activities.

Finally, Jews are committed to eating according to kosher rules. This means they will avoid some foods and look for everything else the consume to be certified as kosher. In a Jewish assisted living facility, the chef will be experienced and the kitchen will be certified. The ingredients will be kosher, and many of the dished they offer will be traditional fare seniors will love.

Jewish Assisted Living in Wisconsin - General Amenities

Assisted living facilities are designed for seniors that need a bit of assistance with daily activities but are still able to live a fairly independent like, that they still have control over. They just need help with some basic tasks, like bathing, dressing and grooming. They might need a helping hand eating and there is a good chance they will need some help staying confidently mobile. These are all elements of Assisted Daily Living care, often referred to as ADL’s, and they offer just enough to hit the mark for these determined seniors.

Seniors transitioning from independent living to assisted living can find it all a bit jarring. In a few cases, and especially for pet lovers, there are pet friendly assisted living centers that are as happy to welcome cats and dogs along with owners, and that makes the transition far easier.

There are seniors for whom, ADL’s are simply not enough. This is particularly true for those suffering with Alzheimer’s disease and other form of dementia. For these seniors, there is memory care, a suite of services that provide a more secure and safer setting, along with innovative therapies that use the sense to reengage memories that had been lost. They also help seniors build new memories that help tamp down anxiety and depression.

Seniors will find some really great meals being served in most of the better assisted living facilities. In fact, these are dishes they would be very happy to have friends and family share with them on special occasions. These are typically prepared by seasoned chefs and served in grand dining rooms, and that makes each and every meal, served 3 times a day, great fun, as friendships are nurtured in equal portion the bellies.

Studio apartment, one- bedroom units and two-bedroom suites offer seniors a space they can call their own and where they can enjoy their privacy. In some cases, and when budgets are tight, seniors can still enjoy all the benefits of these assisted living centers from the comfort of a semi-private suite.

Wisconsin has a lot to offer, where with specific Jewish assisted living centers or others that appreciate the value of faith and are in and around Jewish communities.