The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Evanston, IL for 2024
According to the 2020 Census, adults aged 65 and older make up 16% of Evanston’s 78,000-plus residents. Those in need of non-medical assistance are well-served by the numerous home care agencies operating there, which, according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, charge an average fee of $5,672 per month. This is on the high end of the spectrum, although not as costly as the home-appropriate medical services provided by home health care agencies. Seniors in need of greater levels of medical care have many medical facilities to choose from, including Evanston Hospital and Saint Francis Hospital. Evanston is also within an hour of several esteemed facilities, such as Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Evanston 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 Evanston, IL
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Paying for Home Care in Evanston, IL
The Cost of Home Care in Evanston
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.
Evanston
$5,672
Illinois
$5,339
The United States
$4,957
Rockford
$5,625
Kankakee
$5,148
Danville
$8,818
Carbondale
$4,576
The Cost of Home Care. vs. Other Senior Care Options in Evanston
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.
Home Care
$5,672
Home Health Care
$5,720
Adult Day Health Care
$1,842
Assisted Living Facility
$4,825
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
$6,996
Note: Data for Evanston was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Chicago, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Evanston, 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 Evanston, IL
There are several government agencies and nonprofits in Cook County helping Evanston’s seniors reduce their expenses, as well as helping during emergencies. Those listed here focus on making homes safer and more affordable, in addition to ensuring seniors get a hot meal every day.
Resource | Contact | Service |
---|---|---|
Housing Rehab Loans | (847) 448-4311 | Evanston residents of all ages can apply for a low-interest rate loan if their incomes are within the program's guidelines. It can only be used to cover the costs of raising their home's standard to acceptable levels, particularly regarding safety and energy conservation. Applications are restricted to homeowners and holders of investment properties housing income-eligible residents. |
Utility Financial Assistance Programs | (847) 448-4311 | The program develops payment plans to support homeowners and renters facing unexpected bills due to a utility emergency, such as a water leak. Also, some residents on low incomes, and U.S. military vets, may qualify for a $2,000 hardship assistance grant. |
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program | (800) 571-2332 | Homeowners and renters struggling to pay energy bills may qualify for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program if their incomes fall within 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. The program mostly helps with heating costs in the winter months but can contribute towards cooling costs in particularly hot summers. There's also an emergency fund to support residents threatened with disconnection. |
Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois | (847) 332-2678 | Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois provides healthy and fresh meals to seniors in need of short-term support and long-term support. Prepared on the day and distributed between 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m., each delivery provides one hot and one cold meal. The nonprofit's volunteers also make wellness checks, keep in contact with seniors by phone and can shop locally for groceries on request. There's also free food for pet cats and dogs and donated equipment, such as toys. |
Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption | (847) 448-8168 | Qualifying Evanston homeowners can annually apply for or renew up to four property exemptions, with two specifically aiding older residents. They are the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption, which can save applicants up to $300 per year, and the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Exemption, which can incrementally increase in value as it freezes property taxes while those of neighboring homes rise in the period the freeze is in force. |
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.