Unlock a Vibrant Tomorrow (and Save!) at Evergreen in Dickinson

Need a little help living your best life? Unlock a vibrant tomorrow at Evergreen in Dickinson.

At Evergreen Senior Living and Basic Care, we believe that every chapter of life should be filled with joy, companionship, and the freedom to live life to the fullest. Our community has served the Dickinson community since 1990 and offers a haven of comfort, care, and camaraderie for seniors seeking the perfect blend of assistance and independence. We’re excited to announce a limited-time offer.

Reserve an assisted living apartment by April 30, 2024, and Enjoy 2 Months of Base Rent, Free!*

*OFFER RESTRICTIONS: To qualify for this offer, place a refundable deposit by April 30, 2024, with financial possession or a move-in no more than 15 days post-deposit. Enjoy the 2nd and 6th months of base rent, free. Health costs are not waived. Limited assisted living rooms are available and may sell out before the offer deadline. This offer does not apply to basic care rooms and only applies to those who pay privately.

Why Choose Evergreen?

A Continuum of Care:

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with our continuum of care options, including assisted living and basic care. Your needs are met, and your future is secure. And if memory care is needed at some point, our sister community, CountryHouse, is just a few steps away.

A Vibrant Lifestyle:

Say goodbye to monotony and hello to excitement! Evergreen brings a spectrum of fun activities, engaging outings, and social events tailored to suit every taste. We believe in creating moments that turn ordinary days into extraordinary memories.

A Safe and Supportive Environment:

Your well-being is our top priority. Evergreen provides a safe and secure environment where you can thrive. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that you feel at home, surrounded by the care and attention you deserve.

Take a leap towards a fulfilling and worry-free lifestyle at Evergreen. Act fast as our limited assisted living rooms may sell out before the offer deadline. This special offer is exclusively for those who choose to pay privately and does not apply to basic care rooms.

Want to learn more, contact Evergreen today!

Veterans: Learn about Your Benefits with Kensington-Evergreen

Many veterans and their families are unaware that they may be eligible for benefits to help pay for long-term care and other services. Patriot Angels was founded in 2012 to connect Veterans with assistance that is justly theirs. Join The Kensington in Fort Madison, Cumberland and Hastings; Evergreen in Dickinson and Patriot Angels for a virtual presentation and learn more about these benefits and start the process to determine if you’re eligible!

Join us on Zoom.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024 – 5:00-6:00 p.m. (Central).

6:00-7:00 (Eastern)

4:00-5:00 (Mountain)

3:00-4:00 (Pacific)

Register by clicking the link below to save your space. Those who register will get a personalized event link to attend.

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6oC1mhZURJuNbUUCI6hhtw#/registration

About Our Presenter: Mali Covington joined Patriot Angels in 2019 and serves as the company’s Director of Senior Living Partnerships to connect providers and their Veteran clients with the support and guidance Patriot Angels provides. Patriot Angels serves clients nationwide by helping them navigate through the process of applying for Aid and Attendance, a monthly VA pension available to eligible Veterans and spouses to help them supplement the cost of long-term care. Patriot Angels has helped nearly 20,000 Veterans and spouses be approved for benefits that allow them to be cared for with dignity and honor. 

Free Virtual Event: Dementia Caregiving During the Holidays

The holidays can be an amazing time for fun with friends and family. But if you’re caring for someone with dementia, it can be stressful – for both you and the individual you care for. Join Kensington-Evergreen communities for a free virtual event featuring Erinn Drouin, Community Educator for the Alzheimer’s Association – Nebraska Chapter. She’ll provide advice that will help you make your holidays enjoyable for all.

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

7:00-8:15 p.m. (Eastern)

6:00-7:15 p.m. (Central)

5:00-6:15 p.m. (Mountain)

4:00-5:15 p.m. (Pacific)

To attend, register online at https://bit.ly/DementiaDuringTheHolidays

Or – contact one of our locations directly for assistance with your registration.

Free Virtual Event: Learn More About Late-Stage Dementia on September 7, 2023

Dementia has several stages, each with its own set of challenges. Late-stage dementia in particular requires a caregiver to make adjustments in both their communication and the care they provide. Join our community for a special virtual presentation featuring presenter Erinn Drouin, Community Educator with the Alzheimer’s Association of Nebraska. Erinn will teach you how to better connect and care for your loved one with late-stage dementia.

Join our free virtual event:

Understanding and Navigating Late Stage Dementia

Thursday, September 7, 2023

6:00-7:00 p.m. (Central)

7:00-8:00 (Eastern)

5:00-6:00 (Mountain)

4:00-5:00 (Pacific)

RSVP ONLINE to save your spot: bit.ly/KEVirtualEvent

For more information, contact the Kensington-Evergreen community nearest you.

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER:

Erinn Drouin began her career in non-profit with the American Cancer Society and then spent several years as the State Development Director for the Alzheimer’s AssociationNebraska Chapter before taking the opportunity to directly support families as an Executive Director at CountryHouse Residence for Memory Care in Omaha, Nebraska. Erinn now serves as Director of Operations for the Dreamweaver Foundation, which brings joyful experiences and connections to older adults. At the same time, she maintains her role as an active volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association, both as a Community Educator and Support Group Facilitator. Erinn is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner.

Upgrade at The Kensington in Fort Madison

If you’ve been considering assisted living for yourself or someone you love, this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. Place a refundable deposit by the end of July and move in no more than 30-days post-deposit, and get a large one-bedroom apartment for the price of a regular one-bedroom.

The value of this offer is $500 monthly through the end of 2023…the faster you move, the more you can save.

Enjoy expert care, a safe environment, delicious homemade meals and life-enriching activities and outings at The Kensington. We’ve served seniors in Fort Madison since 1988!

For more information, contact Cindy at 319-372-4233 or cgreer@kensington-evergreen.com.

*This offer applies to new residents only who place a deposit on a large one-bedroom apartment at The Kensington in Fort Madison by no later than July 31, 2023 or while this apartment type lasts. A move-in or financial possession must be taken no more than 30-days post deposit. Offer applies to base rent only, not care costs.

Save $500 monthly at The Kensington in Cumberland

The sooner you make The Kensington in Cumberland your home, the more you can save in 2023. For a limited time and while one-bedroom apartments last, you can place a refundable deposit by the end of July to save $500 monthly through the end of 2023 on a beautiful one-bedroom assisted living apartment at our community.*

At The Kensington, you can enjoy help from an expert team of caregivers, delicious homemade meals, life-enriching activities and outings and much more. Whether your care needs are a little or a lot, we’re here for you.

Contact David for more information by calling 301-777-8800 or email dboden@kensington-evergreen.com.

Restrictions: offer applies to one-bedroom apartments only while supplies last. To qualify to save $500 off through end of 2023, you must place a refundable deposit by no later than July 31, 2023, and move in or take financial possession no more than 30 days post deposit. The savings applies to base rent only, not care costs.

What is a Respite Stay?

When space is available, Kensington-Evergreen communities offer respite stays. A respite stay is a short-term (non-permanent) stay that could range from a few days to a few weeks to a few months!

People choose this option for several reasons. First, it’s great following a medical procedure before a transition back home. Second, it’s great for seniors whose family members may be providing close care, but need to work, travel or take a break from providing care. It’s also a wonderful way to try senior living on for size! A short stay allows you to try out living as a resident of our community before you commit to a long-term decision.

All short term guests benefit from our homelike communities and get personalized attention from our caring staff. The price of a respite stay can vary based on community, but generally averages around $250 per 24-hour period. The cost includes home cooked meals, snacks, life-enriching activities and outings. If enhanced care (such as one-one-one care) or transportation to appointments is needed, additional costs may apply. For short stays, a furnished apartment can be provided. For longer stays, our community may be able to move your own bedroom furniture for free! Respite stays in a Kensington-Evergreen community are based on space and availability.

Considering a respite stay? Contact us to learn more.

Is it time for memory care? Early signs to look for.

Unlike many health conditions, which tend to develop or at least come to light all at once, dementia comes on gradually, and the signs can be confusing and easy to miss. The dementia symptoms that most people find familiar – memory loss, confusion and disorientation – are not the only signs that someone may be developing Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. 

Dementia symptoms can also include delusions, agitation, sleeplessness, and extreme personality changes that can profoundly affect what your family member needs from their living situation. Whether your loved one is living independently, in assisted living, or with you, you may begin to feel that they have specialized needs that aren’t being met. If this sounds like what you’re feeling, it may be time to investigate whether your loved one could benefit from a community that offers memory care. Often, experienced staff who are well trained to provide care for patients with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia is a good solution for many families. The Kensington in Hastings, Nebraska, and The Kensington in Fort Madison, Iowa, both provide in-house memory care in addition to assisted living services. But regardless of whether our communities offer memory care in-house, our Directors and Senior Living Consultants can help point you in the right direction, so you can find the best fit for your loved one.

Here are a few early warning signs it’s time to consider moving your loved one to memory care.

You worry about them constantly.

People with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and memory loss may become confused, wander and/or become agitated very easily. This can put them into all sorts of situations that could endanger their health and safety. When evaluating your loved one’s safety, look inward and reflect. How often each day do you worry about them, check on them, or make a call regarding their safety or whereabouts? If it’s a lot, you may have some decisions to make. 

Their personal hygiene is suffering.

It’s not easy to talk about body odor, but it can provide one of the top clues that your loved one is losing the ability to care for themself. Look for other changes in appearance as well, such as unwashed or wrinkled clothes, or putting clothes on backwards or inside out. You may notice that grooming practices that were once important to them are no longer happening. If your father, formerly clean-shaven, starts looking stubbly, he may be forgetting to shave or even how to shave. If your formerly well-coiffed mother begins to look shaggy, she may be missing or forgetting to make her hair appointments. Granted, changes to businesses that are open to COVID-19 has caused many folks to neglect regular hair appointments, but if this is something that has always been important to them, they will likely express frustration that they no longer have these resources. If they don’t seem to care about their appearance any longer, there may be an issue.

They are not properly taking care of their health.

When someone has memory loss, one of the first of their care needs to take a nose-dive is medication management. Failing to take prescribed medications on schedule – or taking too much  or too little – can lead to serious health problems. Chronic conditions can worsen rapidly if Alzheimer’s interferes with your loved one’s ability to manage treatment. They may miss regular appointments with their physician or dentist. Dementia may also affect your loved one’s ability to prepare and eat a nutritious diet. You may notice food on the counter that should have been refrigerated, or that that the food in their fridge has expired or gone bad – and they’re still eating it. They may even be skipping meals altogether. 

You notice unexplained physical changes.

Weight changes, frailty, hunched posture, and moving with difficulty can all indicate that one’s ability to navigate the world is declining. Your loved one may be losing weight because they forget to eat, or they may be gaining weight because they forget they’ve already eaten and then eat again. Hunched posture and moving slowly can be signs of being unsure – do they know where they are going?

Their living conditions have become unusual.

Whether your loved one lives independently or in senior living, check their physical environment whenever you can. If you notice burn or scorch marks, mold or water damage, it may provide important clues to their mental state. Memory loss makes it much more likely that someone will leave the oven on or drop a dishtowel on top of a burner and not notice the smoke. Or leave the bathtub water running and cause a flood. Even spills that haven’t been wiped up suggest loss of attention. 

If you’re concerned about your loved one and think it may be time to explore memory care, reach out to a Kensington-Evergreen community. Our team is ready to answer your questions and help you make the right decision for your loved one. Contact us today.

How much does senior living cost?

“How much does does it cost?” is usually the first question people ask about assisted living, and it’s an important one, to be sure. But getting a simple answer is, well, not so simple.

Senior assisted living costs depend on several factors:

  • The choices you make regarding services, amenities and type or size of apartment.
  • Health care needs and how they will be met.
  • The type of pricing structure offered by the provider.

That third factor can make it difficult to compare senior living providers. While some charge a flat rate that includes everything, even when health care needs change, most charge a monthly base rate plus extra fees for various services.

Then there are three main ways to assess those extra fees: 1) Unbundling and charging for each individual service rendered, or “a la carte”; 2) assigning a point value for individual services, then grouping the point totals into different price levels, or “levels of care”; or 3) charging for a set list of services, then adding more bundled services as needed for incremental or “tiered” rates.

How do you compare options?

If you’re looking at more than one senior living option – and you should – be sure to ask a lot of questions. Visit several communities and pay attention to how they make you feel. In addition to gathering information about pricing, amenities and service options at different facilities, compare them to what the same level of care or service would cost if it were provided in your current, at-home situation.

A Senior Living Consultant or Director at each Kensington-Evergreen community can help you understand the community’s pricing structure and answer all questions you have.

Who pays?

Assisted living licensure is regulated on the state level, and regulations vary from state to state. The only government subsidy available for assisted living is through the Medicaid Waiver program, which is also determined by each state; the subsidy amount and how it’s administered varies, as well. Many providers choose not to participate in the Medicaid Waiver program, especially if the reimbursement rate from the state does not cover the cost to provide services. For this reason, assisted living is primarily a private pay industry.

However, some of our Kensington-Evergreen residences do accept residents who qualify for a Medicaid Waiver-funded program. To what extent depends on the state, so be sure to ask the Director or Senior Living Consultant.

Are there financial assistance options?

Most folks pay for senior living through a combination of fixed income, savings and home equity, with fixed income typically the smallest piece of the pie. According to the American Seniors Housing Association and the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry, families often help pay for the cost of housing and care for a loved one.

We understand that each and every person has unique financial circumstances. Our Senior Living Consultants are knowledgeable about the resources that may be available to you. The following options could help reduce or pay for some portion of your senior housing and health care costs.

Long-term care insurance helps provide funds for long-term care when other insurance doesn’t provide coverage or isn’t available. Eligibility and premiums are generally based on the age and health of the insured.

Programs that sell or convert life insurance policies, such as Life Care Funding, can be applied to senior living costs.

Savings and investments offer a financial resource that may also generate income in the form of interest, capital gains or dividends.

Personal loans may be used as a line of credit and drawn upon to fund move-in deposits, community fees or monthly fees.

Real estate may also offer a source of funding, whether through the sale of a home or a home equity loan.

Tax deductions: Seniors or their adult children may be eligible to deduct all or part of their assisted living costs as a medical expense on their federal income taxes. Please consult your own personal tax advisor to learn more.

The Veterans Aid and Attendance Program can help defray the cost of assisted living, in-home health care or other non-reimbursed medical care for those who served during wartime – and their surviving spouses and dependents. Eligibility requirements are related to past military service and the level of care required.

Companion living – choosing to share an apartment – enables two people with common interests to enjoy the comforts of friendship while sharing the financial responsibility. Residents who live together receive all the benefits of our services and amenities, with significantly lower housing expenses.

Navigating through unfamiliar territory

Choosing an assisted living community is a brand-new experience for most people. A rainbow of choices is one of the things that makes assisted living great – but overwhelming or confusing at the same time.

We’re committed to helping families find ways to make senior living more affordable and to find the place that best fits their needs. What’s most important is for each one to feel at home, whether that’s in one of our communities or another provider’s. For that reason, our Senior Living Consultants will be happy to guide you through the process of determining whether one of our communities are right for you.

Take advantage of the knowledge and experience we’ve accumulated over many years. We promise to give you straight answers.