Assisted Living in Chicago, Illinois: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask
Assisted living in Chicago, Illinois, provides seniors with a supportive environment that combines quality care with the vibrant urban experience of one of America’s largest cities. These facilities offer a variety of services and amenities tailored to meet the individual needs of residents. Residents can enjoy a mix of independence and assistance, with ample opportunities for social engagement, cultural exploration, and enjoying the diverse neighborhoods that make up the city.
Assisted Living facilities in Chicago could accept State Medicaid, private payers, and long-term care insurance which helps to relieve the financial burden of senior care, and could be more cost effective than home care.
Assisted Living Communities near Chicago, Illinois
Palos Heights Senior Living
Palos Heights, Illinois 60463
Lombard Place Assisted Living & Memory Care
Lombard, Illinois 60148
Burr Ridge Senior Living
Willowbrook, Illinois 60527
Belmont Village Lincoln Park
Chicago, Illinois 60614
Belmont Village Oak Park
Oak Park, Illinois 60302
Belmont Village Glenview
Glenview, Illinois 60025
Belmont Village Geneva Road
Carol Stream, Illinois 60188
Assisted Living At Hartsfield Village
Munster, Indiana 46321
Silver Birch Of Hammond
Hammond, Indiana 46320
About Assisted Living in Chicago, IL
In Chicago, Illinois, residential assisted living facilities provide a supportive environment for seniors who need help with daily activities but do not require intensive medical care. These facilities offer personalized assistance with tasks such as bathing, dressing, medication management, and meal preparation, ensuring residents can maintain a high quality of life while retaining as much independence as possible. Additionally, residents benefit from social and recreational activities designed to promote well-being and community engagement, along with access to healthcare services as needed.
Considerations when looking for Assisted Living in Chicago, IL
The estimated population of Chicago, Illinois is 2,664,452 with 13.3% of that number being those ages 65 and older. In Chicago, the summers are warm, humid, and wet; the winters are freezing, snowy, and windy; and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 22°F to 83°F and is rarely below 5°F or above 91°F.
Cities near Chicago, IL
- Evanston, IL – 12 miles north
- Oak Park, IL – 10 miles west
- Skokie, IL – 15 miles northwest
- Cicero, IL – 8 miles southwest
- Des Plaines, IL – 20 miles northwest
Pricing and How to Pay for Assisted Living
Paying for senior care depends on several factors. On average, residents can expect to pay $6,500 per month for assisted living services. These fees encompass personalized care, engaging activities, and comfortable accommodations, ensuring a fulfilling retirement experience. Keep in mind these costs may fluctuate depending on factors such as location and facility amenities.
You want to consider your payment options for assisted living, memory care, and care homes. For these services, Medicare is NOT an option for payment.
The most common payment for these services would be out of pocket Private Pay and assessing a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
Medicaid can also be an option, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.
Long-Term Care insurance is also a possible option in cases of chronic conditions, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.
For our Veterans and spouses of veterans, be sure to assess Veteran Aid and your eligibility for these benefits.
Medicare – NO:
- Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
- People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
- Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.
Private pay – YES:
- Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
- Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
- Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.
Medicaid – MAYBE:
- Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
- Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
- Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
- National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
- The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
- If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.
Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:
Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.
- Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
- Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.
Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:
This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.
- There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
- A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
- If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.
Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Chicago, IL
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
- Address: 251 E Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611
- Phone Number: (312) 926-2000
Rush University Medical Center
- Address: 1620 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60612
- Phone Number: (312) 942-5000
University of Chicago Medical Center
- Address: 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
- Phone Number: (773) 702-1000
AMITA Health Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center Chicago
- Address: 2233 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
- Phone Number: (312) 770-2000
John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County
- Address: 1969 W Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
- Phone Number: (312) 864-6000
Questions to Ask
Finding an assisted living community can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:
- Make sure the facility is clean and well maintained. You can tell a lot about the operation by noting what is clean and maintained. Are doorknobs loose or damaged? Do you see any frayed carpet or trip hazards?
- Visit during lunch hour to observe what the residents are eating. Ask questions about the nutrition program. Is there diversity in meals, healthy fruits and vegetables served at all meals, drink options?
- Speak to residents and/or family members to learn their perspective.
- Ask about staff and resident engagement. Get a feel for how staff interact with residents.
- Ask about the life enrichment programs. Activities are crucial when it comes to quality of life and play a key role in care for older adults.
- And finally (along with a plethora of more things to consider), get to know the leadership in the building. If you feel good around the Executive Director, Head Nurse, Lead Activities Director and even the Chef or Janitor, it is a good sign you can trust them with the care of your loved one.
Resources and Links – Illinois
Chicago Department of Family and Support Services DFSS Senior Services is designated through the Older Americans Act, and by the Ilinois Department on Aging, as the Area Agency on Aging for the city of Chicago and provides a range of services that allow older adults to remain healthy, safe and independent.
Illinois Department on Aging Area Agencies have the primary task of planning and coordinating services and programs for older people in their respective areas. The Area Agencies receive funding from the Department based on a formula which takes into consideration the number of older citizens and minorities in that area, as well as the number living in poverty, in rural areas, and alone.
AgeOptions As the Area Agency on Aging of suburban Cook County, Illinois, we advocate, plan, coordinate and fund services for older adults. Together with a network of community-based senior service organizations, we connect residents with vital services such as information and assistance, community dining programs and home-delivered meals, housekeeping help, employment services, access to benefits and support for family caregivers.
Adult Protective Services Hotline To report suspected abuse, exploitation or neglect of an older person, age 60 and above or a person aged 18-59 with a disability, call the statewide 24-hour Adult Protective Services Hotline
Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings
Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.