Heritage Woods of Charleston

Heritage Woods of Charleston sits in Charleston, Illinois, right next to Cougill Senior Living Apartments, and serves adults 55 and older, though it mainly focuses on those 65 and up who want an affordable, comfortable community with safe, supportive help nearby whenever they need it, because some folks want their own space but also can use a little help now and then. The place has 68 senior living apartments, both studio and one-bedroom, each with a private bathroom, an emergency response system, and a kitchenette, and that's good because it gives people some independence but with safety close by. The management, Gardant Management Solutions out of Kankakee, Illinois, takes pride in creating a welcoming environment where folks feel like they belong, no matter their background; they run on the idea that people deserve love, dignity, and kindness. The staff includes certified nurses' aides on duty around the clock, ready to help with things like bathing, dressing, reminders for medicine, personal care, and getting around the building or down to the dining area, with ongoing health monitoring and nursing assessments for those who need it. There's support for folks living with Alzheimer's, and help for daily activities is always there if someone needs a hand. People eat together in a community dining area, with three meals and snacks served daily, and family or guests can come in and share a meal sometimes. You'll find full-size kitchens in some units and all rooms come with either a kitchenette or kitchen space, plus there's housekeeping, laundry, and linen service, so nobody's stuck keeping up with chores alone. Laundry and dry cleaning can be done in-house, so everything's convenient. The place lets some pets come along if that's important, and there's on-site resident parking for those who still drive. Activities and programs are always on the schedule, whether folks want something indoors like crafts, recreation, or fitness in the Healthy Living Fitness Center with coaching, or maybe they'd rather be outside in the gardens or patios. Offsite trips happen, too, when people want to get out for a change. There's space for exercise, a room for beauty or barber services, and even a little convenience store in the building. Heritage Woods is set up to help with whatever comes along, from memory and Alzheimer's care, to physical therapy, pain management, and specialized women's health and wellness programs-things like the Sleep Disorders Center and Peace Meal for good nutrition stand out, as do extra services linked with SBL Home Care, Hospice, and regional cancer, surgery, and heart centers, plus emergency care, orthopedic, wound care, and diagnostic imaging. Medical staff keep families informed if there are any special needs. They use a full, all-inclusive pricing structure, so residents don't have to worry about extra bills stacking up. Heritage Woods focuses on giving seniors a homelike community where people can live with dignity and keep their independence, staying connected to social activities and all sorts of interesting programs. The community earned the 2020 Bronze Quality Award from the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, which just means it's recognized for working to improve life for its residents, and that's what folks notice when they walk through the doors.