The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Evanston, IL for 2025

Seniors considering home care in Evanston may need to budget for above-average costs, as the median monthly fee of $5,672 is around $333 per month more than average for Illinois and much costlier than the national standard of $4,957. However, there are more expensive locations, such as Danville, which, at $8,818, is the most expensive in the state. Some cities come close to Evanston’s average, such as Rockford, at $5,625, but the majority are more affordable. Kankakee at $5,148 and Carbondale at $4,576 are the most affordable in Illinois.

The difference between non-medical and medical services at home is apparent when comparing the costs. Adult daycare centers’ competitive fees reflect their level of care while the price of assisted living at $4,825 reveals its greater costs. Nursing home care is the least affordable, with semiprivate rooms typically costing $6,996 per month.

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.