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

Q: What types of services can home care agencies in Blue Island provide?

Home care agencies provide both skilled and nonmedical care in a person’s place of residence. This type of care allows an individual to remain in their homes for as long as possible and it varies depending on a person’s specific needs. It includes rehabilitation services for those getting over an injury or surgical procedure and it includes basic help in the home, including housekeeping and companionship.

Q: What is the difference between in-home care and home health care?

In-home care provides help with daily activities and is often used by older adults who are unable to take care of themselves. It typically refers to all non-medical care, including assistance getting in and out of bed, grooming, meals, transportation and housekeeping. Home health addresses the medical needs of the homebound. This includes nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, wound care and occupational therapy.

Q: How do you pay for senior care at home?

Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance may cover the cost of some medical home care. For the most part, home care is paid for out-of-pocket or through personal funds. Some seniors use multiple sources to pay for home care, including annuities, investments and savings, life insurance policies, reverse mortgages or home equity loans, savings and Social Security Income.

Q: What is a nonmedical home care service?

The Aid and Attendance benefit is available to veterans who were on active duty for at least 90 days. There are also income limits and an individuals’ net worth must not exceed the allowable limits set by Congress. In 2020, the net worth limit was $129,094. Veterans who receive help must also have a documented need from a physician. Those who meet all the qualifications receive a monthly payment to cover the cost of help with activities of daily living, including medication management, bathing, meal prep and transportation.

Q: What is home respite care?

Many seniors are cared for by family members or other loved ones. Home respite care provides temporary relief to these individuals to help them restore their energy, avoid exhaustion and give them time to take care of their own needs. Respite care may be for a few hours a day or a few hours a week or for an extended vacation.

A part of Chicago’s metropolitan area, Blue Island is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 22,600 people with 11% aged 65 and older. It’s well known for its antique stores, art galleries and fine dining. Seniors also have access to several medical facilities, including Advocate Christ Medical Center and Ingalls Memorial. Seniors who receive homemaker services in Blue Island pay on average $4,957 per month, which is for those who need assistance with personal care. For skilled medical care, home health care costs slightly more at $5,053, according to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Blue Island area – 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.

Home Care Agencies in Blue Island, IL

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Paying for Home Care in Blue Island, IL

The Cost of Home Care in Blue Island

According to the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of home care in Blue Island is $4,957, which is $190 more than the state average but $906 less than the national average of $4,481. Home care in Champaign is one of the most expensive in the state at $5,005. Rockford, Peoria and Carbondale residents can all expect to pay less than those in Blue Island with prices at $4,872, $4,385 and $4,195.

Blue Island

$4,957

Illinois

$4,767

United States

$4,481

Rockford

$4,872

Peoria

$4,385

Champaign

$5,005

Carbondale

$4,195

The Cost of Home Care vs Other Senior Care Options in Blue Island

Blue Island has a number of long-term care options for seniors. Home care and home health are priced at $4,957 and $5,053 and are designed for seniors who prefer to remain in their own homes. Adult day health is the least expensive at $1,614 per month but it only offers care during the day. Assisted living is a residential facility for those who require modest assistance at $4,950, while a nursing home offers the most comprehensive care at $8,076 per month for a semiprivate room.

Home Care

$4,957

Home Health Care

$5,053

Adult Day Health

$1,614

Assisted Living

$4,950

Nursing Home Care (semiprivate room)

$8,076

Note: Data for Blue Island was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Chicago, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Home Care in Blue Island, IL

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.

Free & Low-Cost Home Care Resources in Blue Island, IL

Free and low-cost programs and services are offered to seniors who live in Blue Island and the surrounding region. These services are offered by both government and private agencies and are designed to help improve quality of life.

Resource	Contact	Service
AgeOptions	(708) 383-0258	AgeOptions connects seniors in the area with programs and services that meet their needs. The agency partners with other businesses and community organizations to provide programs that allow individuals to remain in their homes independently as long as possible. These programs and services include home-delivered meals, fall prevention, companionship, transportation, housekeeping and help applying for benefits.
Illinois Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)	(877) 411-9276	LIHEAP helps seniors and low-income families pay for home energy bills, mostly heating in the winter. Eligible seniors may not have incomes that exceed 200% of the federal poverty level. The benefit pays a one-time payment to cover the cost of an individuals’ energy bill for an entire season.
ComEd Energy Efficiency Program	(708) 597-8603	The ComEd Energy Efficiency Program provides weatherization upgrades to low-income seniors. These upgrades include insulation and air sealing. To be eligible, seniors must live in a home that's at least 30 years old, must receive electric service through ComEd and have a household income of 80% of the average area income.
Salvation Army Crossgenerations Corps Community Center	(708) 332-0100	The Salvation Army Community Center provides nutritious meals for seniors Monday through Friday. The organization also provides Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for individuals and families who are unable to provide for themselves. The center also offers recreational sports and fitness programs, comprehensive case management and daily activities, including music classes, exercise, a walking club, bingo, jewelry making and card games.
Catholic Charities Senior Care Management	(847) 546-5733	Case management services provide comprehensive services that help seniors live independently. These programs include benefits assistance, transportation, caregiver support, Adult Protective Services and home-delivered meals.

Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care

Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – often times it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.

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Checklist for determining the need for in-home care

Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care

If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.

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Talking with family and others about a loved one's needs

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