The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Aurora, IL for 2024
Aurora is a culturally rich city in the Chicago area that ranks 126th on Caring’s 2022 Senior Living Report. Its low crime rate makes it one of the nation’s safest places to live and provides peace of mind for seniors who live alone. High access to ADA-accessible public transportation stations and vehicles enables those who don’t drive to navigate the region easily. The city has numerous home care agencies that provide services such as housekeeping, personal care and meal preparation to help seniors age in place. On average, agencies charge $5,672 per month for this type of care. Older adults who need skilled nursing services may be better candidates for home health care.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Aurora 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.
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Paying for Home Care in Aurora, IL
Based on care costs in nearby Chicago, the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey estimates that home care costs in Aurora are $5,672 per month. This exceeds the state median of $5,339 and the national average of $4,957. In Rockford, care costs are comparable at $5,625, and in Kankakee, rates are a few hundred dollars lower at $5,148. Bloomington is one of Illinois’ cheaper places to obtain home care, with agencies charging $5,053. Danville is among the costliest at $8,818.
The Cost of Home Care inAurora, IL
Aurora
$5,672
Illinois
$5,339
The United States
$4,957
Rockford
$5,625
Kankakee
$5,148
Danville
$8,818
Bloomington
$5,053
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Aurora, IL
Home care agencies in Aurora charge $5,672 per month, and agencies that provide skilled nursing services charge $5,720 for home health care. This is about $900 higher than the price of assisted living, which averages $4,825 per month. Adult day health care is almost a third of home care’s cost at $1,842. Nursing home care is considerably costlier, with facilities charging $6,996 for semiprivate rooms.
Home Care
$5,672
Home Health Care
$5,720
Adult Day Health Care
$1,842
Assisted Living Facility
$4,852
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
$6,996
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Aurora, 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.
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 – oftentimes 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.
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.