The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Northbrook, IL for 2024

Northbrook, Illinois, is a suburban area about 35 minutes north of downtown Chicago. According to the 2020 Census, 25.6% of its 35,222 residents are aged 65 and older, suggesting it’s particularly popular with senior citizens compared to the national average rate of 16.9%. The area’s primary medical facilities are Glenbrook Hospital and Evanston Hospital for easy access to medical care, while home health care agencies can also deliver limited medical care within seniors’ homes.

Alternatively, there are home care agencies for older residents who require nonmedical help with daily living functions such as cleaning and grooming. At $5,672, the median monthly fee for home care is about 5.9% above the state average, according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Northbrook– complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey lists Northbrook’s home care costs at $5,672 on average per month. Northbrook seniors pay more than the state average, which is roughly $300 less for home care. The national average is also lower than Northbrook’s at about $700 less. Indeed, Northbrook is one of the costliest cities in Illinois, although Danville is even more expensive at over $3,000 more per month. Rockford is slightly more affordable than Northbrook at about $50 less per month, but significant savings can be found in Kankakee and Bloomington, which cost about $500 and $600 less, respectively.

Long-term care costs vary greatly throughout the state depending on where a senior wants to receive care and how intensive the care is. Home care costs are around $5,672 per month while home health care iHome care’s $5,672 average fee is the costliest when compared to other senior care options in Northbrook. However, adult day care is the most affordable at nearly $4,000 less than home care. Assisted living will save you nearly $900, but requires relocating. Available medical services include home health care, which covers limited care from registered medical professionals and therefore costs about $50 more than home care per month. As nursing home care provides 24/7 medical care, it costs nearly $1,400 more than home care.

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-Term Care Insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living.Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.