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Assisted Living Communities in Chicago, Illinois

Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago hosts 55 assisted living facilities that care for older adults who need help with general daily activities. In 2024, seniors who reside in these...

Directory of Assisted Living in Chicago, IL

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The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

According to the 2024 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Chicago pay $6,500 per month for assisted living. In nearby Kankakee, the cost is notably higher at $7,683, while Bloomington offers an economical option at around $4,800. Seniors looking for affordability can also consider Peoria at roughly $5,012 and Rockford at about $5,250.

Chicago

$6,500

Illinois

$5,225

United States

$5,350

Rockford

$5,250

Kankakee

$7,683

Peoria

$5,012

Bloomington

$4,800

How to Pay for Assisted Living in Chicago

Chicago residents have a range of solutions for paying for assisted living, including government programs and private pay options.

  • Medicaid: Illinois Medicaid helps cover assisted living costs through the Supportive Living Program. It provides services like personal care, medication management, and meals for eligible residents. It doesn't cover room and board.
  • Medicare: While Medicare doesn't pay for assisted living directly, those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid qualify for Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, which pays for some services seniors receive in assisted living. However, seniors can't use Medicare to pay for nonmedical services, such as personal care.
  • VA Benefits: Qualified veterans receive benefits through the Veterans' Administration's Aid and Attendance program to help them pay for assisted living services, such as help with daily living activities, meals, and nonemergency medical transportation. This benefit rarely applies to housing costs.
  • Private payments: Those who don't qualify for government-funded assisted living benefits pay for services through alternatives such as pension income, Social Security benefits, or retirement savings. Long-term care insurance, reverse mortgages, annuities, and life insurance benefits can also provide necessary funds. 

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Chicago

Eligible seniors who reside in Chicago can apply for Supplemental Security Income – Category G (SSI-G) to receive financial assistance for covering the cost of assisted living.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Illinois page.

Inflation's Impact on the Cost of Assisted Living in Chicago, IL

Although long-term care prices have been rising steadily over the past few decades, larger price increases are expected in the near future due to inflation. In Chicago, assisted living prices are expected to increase by 18% in just 2 years between 2022 and 2024. The trend is similar in neighboring cities, such as Naperville, Schaumburg and Bolingbrook. Although average assisted living prices in Illinois actually increased from $4,959 to $4,742 between 2022 and 2023, they're likely to rise by 12% in 2024, rebounding to a median of $5,313 per month.

Location2022 Cost (Historical)2023 Cost (Current)2024 Cost (Estimated)
Chicago$5,423 $5,941 $6,398
U.S. Average$4,070$4,459$4,802
Illinois$4,959$4,742 $5,313
Naperville$3,410 $3,736 $4,023
Schaumburg$3,583$3,925$4,227
Bolingbrook$4,651$5,095 $5,487

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Nursing home care, the area’s most expensive senior care option, costs around $8,669 per month for a semi-private room. Home health care's fee, at $6,578, is almost on par with assisted living’s $6,500 monthly expense. At $5,720, prices for home care are notably lower than all of the above. Still, the most economical senior care type is adult day health care, at approximately $2,123.

In-Home Care

$5,720

Home Health Care

$6,578

Adult Day Health Care

$2,123

Assisted Living Facility

$6,500

Nursing Home Facility (semi-private room)

$8,669

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Chicago,IL

There are many resources in Chicago,IL that assist seniors in their retirement. caring.com has compiled information on local organizations, programs and agencies and categorized them into care types for easy reference.

For information about statewide resources and those in nearby cities, go to Caring's Illinois state page.

Program NamePhone NumberDescription
Senior Services Area Agency on Aging312-744-4016Seniors Services Area Agency on Aging supports seniors through transportation, meal programs, and in-home assistance. It also provides health insurance options, counseling, and advocacy services.
Illinois Persons Who Are Elderly Waiver800-252-8966The Illinois Persons Who Are Elderly waiver helps seniors who require a nursing home level of care pay for necessary services in less intensive environments, including assisted living facilities.
Illinois Supportive Living Program844-528-8444The Supportive Living Facilities waiver, available to Medicaid beneficiaries, helps with essential daily living services in assisted living facilities, such as personal care and medication assistance. It excludes room and board costs.
Greater Chicago Food Depository773-247-3663The Greater Chicago Food Depository operates programs that address hunger in seniors in the Chicago area. Through this nonprofit initiative, older adults connect with local food pantries and access medical benefits counseling and referrals, monthly food boxes, and fresh produce coupons.
Meals on Wheels Chicago773-661-4550Meals on Wheels provides home-delivered meals to seniors in the Chicago area. In addition to dropping off meals, volunteers conduct wellness checks and offer brief opportunities for socialization.
Illinois Devices 4 the Disabled773-870-1553Devices 4 the Disabled collects gently used durable medical equipment and redistributes it to those who need it. Supplies include hospital beds, mobility aids, and transfer lifts.
Senior Legal Assistance - Chicago Family & Support Services312-744-4016Senior Legal Assistance has attorneys who provide free assistance with age-related legal issues, including power of attorney documents, living wills, and elder rights. The program offers a free hotline that seniors can call for over-the-phone advice.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program - Chicago800-252-8966The long-term care ombudsman advocates for seniors facing involuntary assisted living discharge orders, billing problems, residents' rights, and other issues. They also help seniors identify ways to pay for assisted living services.
Legal Aid Chicago312-341-1070Legal Aid Chicago assists older adults with age-related civil legal matters, including debt collections, consumer fraud, and tax disputes. It also helps seniors access government benefits, including Medicaid waivers and Social Security benefits, that may help them pay for assisted living.
Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) - Chicago833-711-0374IHWAP provides basic home repairs and upgrades for qualified seniors. Services may include HVAC repairs or replacements, water heater repairs, and air sealing.
Catholic Charities Senior Care - Chicago312-655-7700Catholic Charities serves Chicago residents aged 60 and over through legal advice and referral services, public benefits screenings, and counseling on health insurance options.
Central West Center312-746-5300Central West Center hosts services and activities for those aged 60 and over in the Chicago area, including games and social events. The center also serves nutritious meals daily.
Northwest (Copernicus) Senior Center312-744-6681Northwest Senior Center administers over 70 local, state, and federal programs for seniors and hosts regular social and recreational activities. At this location, older adults attend annual flu shot clinics, eat congregate meals, and obtain counseling options.
Levy Senior Center312-744-0784The Lincoln Square neighborhood's Levy Senior Center operates weekdays, and hosts congregate meals and recreational activities for those aged 60 and over. The center has staff members who specialize in benefits assistance, helping older adults access meal delivery programs, benefits screenings, and transportation services.
Alzheimer's Association - Illinois Chapter800-272-3900The Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer's Association hosts early-stage engagement programs throughout the Chicago region for seniors with dementia. The organization also connects seniors and families with area experts who assist with legal issues and operates a toll-free helpline.
RUSH Alzheimer's Disease Center (RADC) - Chicago312-942-7100The RUSH Alzheimer's Disease Center conducts memory screenings and consultations with physicians specializing in memory-related disorders.
Chicago Social Security Offices800-772-1213Chicago has six Social Security offices that provide in-person assistance to those applying for government benefits, such as Social Security and Medicare.
Property Tax Relief – Homestead Exemptions - Chicago800-732-8866Qualifying Chicago seniors and veterans access a range of tax exemptions and exceptions through the state, reducing their living expenses and freeing up money for assisted living costs. To qualify, applicants typically must be at least 65 years old and considered part of a low-to-moderate income household.
Regional Transit Authority312-913-3200RTA operates free and reduced-fare transportation programs for seniors in and around Chicago, supplementing services seniors receive through assisted living.
Chicago Senior Transportation Program844-943-7386The Chicago Senior Transportation Program provides wheelchair-accessible nonemergency medical transportation services to seniors, helping them attend medical appointments or transfer between medical facilities. The program also provides shuttle services to local destinations, including airports, shopping centers, and special events.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program - Chicago800-571-2332LIHEAP provides utility bill assistance to qualified households in the Chicago area. It helps older adults avoid shut-offs due to nonpayment and offers funds for water and sewer bills.
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs - Chicago800-437-9824Through the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Chicago veterans connect with long-term care options, such as assisted living, and receive screening services for VA benefits.
Chicago Vet Center773-962-3740The Chicago Vet Center serves older veterans in the region through individual and group counseling, benefits assistance, and referrals to community-based programs. Veterans may schedule in-person or virtual appointments.
Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center312-569-8387The local VA medical center provides medical support for qualified veterans and their families. Individuals receive rehabilitative therapies, vision care, prescription fulfillment, and counseling services at this location.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Chicago

  • Chicago sees about 37 crimes per 1,000 residents annually, with property-related offenses accounting for most incidents. Fortunately, many neighborhoods, including Forest Glen West, Edison Park North, and Norwood Park, offer a comparatively safe environment for prospective assisted living residents.
  • Chicago’s seasonal temperatures range from 28 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 73 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. The city receives around 40 inches of annual snowfall and 38 inches of rain. Many local facilities provide individual climate controls and indoor and outdoor recreational activities to promote residents' comfort.
  • Chicago has over three dozen hospitals within city limits. Northwestern Memorial Hospital, one of the most respected hospitals in the nation, sits within the city proper and specializes in senior-specific medical care.
  • Chicago's cost of living exceeds the national norm by about 12%, primarily driven by food, health care, and housing costs. To promote affordable access to long-term care, many local assisted living communities feature all-inclusive pricing and help with financial planning.
  • The AARP gives Chicago an overall livability score of 56. This score outpaces the national norm of 48, indicating favorability for prospective assisted living residents.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Chicago

Chicagos-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Illinois are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Illinois page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Services and Amenities in Chicago

Assisted living facilities in Chicago, IL, offer many amenities and services to support residents' comfort and promote an engaging lifestyle. From helping residents stay active to giving them opportunities to build connections with neighbors, these resources contribute to the community's overall culture. While amenities vary considerably across facilities, many residences offer benefits such as:

  • Emergency response systems: Many assisted living communities provide 24-hour monitoring through alarm bracelets and call buttons, ensuring prompt help in the event of an emergency, such as a fall.
  • Outdoor living areas: Private balconies or patios let residents enjoy the outdoors from their apartments, and community amenities, such as resident-maintained gardens and seating areas, provide a space for visiting and enjoying hobbies.
  • Full-service hair salons: Licensed beauticians provide complete services, including haircuts, coloring, and permanents.
  • Fitness centers: These centers feature age-friendly exercise equipment to support an active lifestyle.
  • Apartment-style living units: This living option features all the comforts of a home, including private bathrooms and full kitchens.

Contact a Caring.com Family Advisor to learn more about the amenities available to Chicago's assisted living residents or to get information on facilities that provide specific services and benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living in Chicago

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Jill17

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of American House Oak Park

My mother is at American House Oak Park. I like the facility. It's newer and has pretty state of the art amenities. It's got a beautiful city vibe. The staff is friendly and attentive. They're...

Read more

Assisted Living

David

I am/was a resident of this facility

Review of Thorek Retirement Home

I have moved into Thorek Retirement Home. It's almost independent. There's a CNA and a nurse on duty. For example, if I needed dressing assistance, they would be able to do that. Actually, it's...

Read more

Assisted Living

Pat62

I visited this facility

Review of Victory Centre of Roseland

I toured the Victory Centre of Roseland. The staff was very engaging and very informative. He let me know what would take place while my dad stayed there, the activities, the meals, and the things...

Read more

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Assisted Living near Chicago, IL

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The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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