The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Chicago, IL for 2023
With its world-class museums, excellent health care options, robust transportation system and rich art and culture scene, Chicago is a popular place for many active seniors to retire. With 2.7 million residents, Chicago is one of the largest cities in the nation, and around 12% of those residents are age 65 and older. The city is well-known for its diversity, and seniors from many walks of life will find neighborhoods and communities to feel comfortable in when they settle in this city. It also has several nationally ranked hospital systems to benefit its aging population.
For those who need a little extra help day-to-day, Chicago’s assisted living communities can provide it. The city has an average assisted living cost of $4,825 a month. This is just about $300 higher than the state’s average of $4,488, as well as the national average of $4,500.
This guide introduces assisted living costs and options in Chicago. Learn more about assisted living as well as some of the perks and drawbacks of retiring in Chicago, along with free resources to help the city’s seniors.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Chicago, IL
Autumn Green at Wright Campus
4239 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL, 60634
Autumn Green at Wright Campus is located in a peaceful area of Chicago, Illinois, a few minutes away from Edgebrook Golf Course, Harlem Irving Plaza and the Kennedy Expressway. Residents note the frie
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Autumn Green at Wright Campus is located in a peaceful area of Chicago, Illinois, a few minutes away from Edgebrook Golf Course, Harlem Irving Plaza and the Kennedy Expressway. Residents note the friendly, helpful staff, who care about the well-being of every resident. Autumn Green at Wright Campus receives excellent reviews for its range of activities, including book clubs, gardening, Zumba and regular outings to shops and cultural events. Families are impressed by the amenities provided such as an indoor pool, garden and patio and a beauty/barber shop.
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Autumn Green at Wright Campus is located in a peaceful area of Chicago, Illinois, a few minutes away from Edgebrook Golf Course, Harlem Irving Plaza and the Kennedy Expressway. Residents note the frie
… (read more)
Autumn Green at Wright Campus is located in a peaceful area of Chicago, Illinois, a few minutes away from Edgebrook Golf Course, Harlem Irving Plaza and the Kennedy Expressway. Residents note the friendly, helpful staff, who care about the well-being of every resident. Autumn Green at Wright Campus receives excellent reviews for its range of activities, including book clubs, gardening, Zumba and regular outings to shops and cultural events. Families are impressed by the amenities provided such as an indoor pool, garden and patio and a beauty/barber shop.
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Smith Village
2320 West 113Th Place, Chicago, IL, 60643
My father-in-law went to Smith Village for rehab for ten weeks. The staff was not great. It’s beautiful, fancy, and the food was good. He didn’t want to do anything there, but they had activities plan
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My father-in-law went to Smith Village for rehab for ten weeks. The staff was not great. It’s beautiful, fancy, and the food was good. He didn’t want to do anything there, but they had activities planned. It’s clean, bright, kind of high end, fancy, and expensive.
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My father-in-law went to Smith Village for rehab for ten weeks. The staff was not great. It’s beautiful, fancy, and the food was good. He didn’t want to do anything there, but they had activities plan
… (read more)
My father-in-law went to Smith Village for rehab for ten weeks. The staff was not great. It’s beautiful, fancy, and the food was good. He didn’t want to do anything there, but they had activities planned. It’s clean, bright, kind of high end, fancy, and expensive.
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The Clare
55 East Pearson St., Chicago, IL, 60611
The Clare was very nice but a little expensive. The facility was excellent, like a 5-star hotel. They had the medical facilities, a wellness center, and an emergency team that can take you to the hosp
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The Clare was very nice but a little expensive. The facility was excellent, like a 5-star hotel. They had the medical facilities, a wellness center, and an emergency team that can take you to the hospital or an ambulance. The staff was very well organized. They had a marketing team and staff who helped people. They had a chef and three kinds of places to eat, one being a very formal place, the second a bistro, and the third for coffee and snacks. It’s a very large place with 54 floors.
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The Clare was very nice but a little expensive. The facility was excellent, like a 5-star hotel. They had the medical facilities, a wellness center, and an emergency team that can take you to the hosp
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The Clare was very nice but a little expensive. The facility was excellent, like a 5-star hotel. They had the medical facilities, a wellness center, and an emergency team that can take you to the hospital or an ambulance. The staff was very well organized. They had a marketing team and staff who helped people. They had a chef and three kinds of places to eat, one being a very formal place, the second a bistro, and the third for coffee and snacks. It’s a very large place with 54 floors.
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The Admiral at the Lake
929 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL, 60640
The Admiral at the Lake is very upscale. I am going to be 75, and I have money, but I don’t have the money to get into the Admiral. A 1-bedroom is half a million, and it is spacious and everything.
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The Admiral at the Lake is very upscale. I am going to be 75, and I have money, but I don’t have the money to get into the Admiral. A 1-bedroom is half a million, and it is spacious and everything. I think the people who got the bargain were the ones who came in on the ground floor when they were just building it. For the rest of us, who had come in 5 or 6 years later, it is beyond my financial ability to go in. It is very well-maintained, very crisp and clean, and everything goes at right angles. If you can afford it, it is like a Rolls Royce.
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The Admiral at the Lake is very upscale. I am going to be 75, and I have money, but I don’t have the money to get into the Admiral. A 1-bedroom is half a million, and it is spacious and everything.
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The Admiral at the Lake is very upscale. I am going to be 75, and I have money, but I don’t have the money to get into the Admiral. A 1-bedroom is half a million, and it is spacious and everything. I think the people who got the bargain were the ones who came in on the ground floor when they were just building it. For the rest of us, who had come in 5 or 6 years later, it is beyond my financial ability to go in. It is very well-maintained, very crisp and clean, and everything goes at right angles. If you can afford it, it is like a Rolls Royce.
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Buckingham Pavilion
2625 WEST TOUHY AVENUE, Chicago, IL, 60645
Buckingham is What a Nursing Home is Supposed to Be!
When it came time to find a nursing home for my father, I was deeply worried that my Dad’s new home wouldn’t be sufficiently caring, clean,
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Buckingham is What a Nursing Home is Supposed to Be!
When it came time to find a nursing home for my father, I was deeply worried that my Dad’s new home wouldn’t be sufficiently caring, clean, comfortable or professionally operated. So, I researched well over a hundred nursing homes across Chicago and the suburbs. I am so glad that exhaustive search enabled me to find Buckingham Pavilion!
Everyone was caring, understanding, patient and attentive to my Dad’s needs. This was true of everyone on the team from the receptionists to the nurses, to the escorts, to the maintenance staff. I was never given any reason to worry about my Dad’s level or care or comfort. During my many visits, I saw that he, and the other residents, were happy at Buckingham. Also, my Dad’s room, the dining room and all the community spaces were always kept clean and the residents’ room were significantly more spacious than at other homes. To top it off, one of the owners I frequently checked in with is not only caring, communicative and professional, but a person of great integrity.
I could not be more thankful for everything that everyone at Buckingham did for my Dad and my family.
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Buckingham is What a Nursing Home is Supposed to Be!
When it came time to find a nursing home for my father, I was deeply worried that my Dad’s new home wouldn’t be sufficiently caring, clean,
… (read more)
Buckingham is What a Nursing Home is Supposed to Be!
When it came time to find a nursing home for my father, I was deeply worried that my Dad’s new home wouldn’t be sufficiently caring, clean, comfortable or professionally operated. So, I researched well over a hundred nursing homes across Chicago and the suburbs. I am so glad that exhaustive search enabled me to find Buckingham Pavilion!
Everyone was caring, understanding, patient and attentive to my Dad’s needs. This was true of everyone on the team from the receptionists to the nurses, to the escorts, to the maintenance staff. I was never given any reason to worry about my Dad’s level or care or comfort. During my many visits, I saw that he, and the other residents, were happy at Buckingham. Also, my Dad’s room, the dining room and all the community spaces were always kept clean and the residents’ room were significantly more spacious than at other homes. To top it off, one of the owners I frequently checked in with is not only caring, communicative and professional, but a person of great integrity.
I could not be more thankful for everything that everyone at Buckingham did for my Dad and my family.
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Ascension Living Resurrection Village
7262 West Peterson Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60631
My father was in assisted living at Ascension Living Resurrection Village for a year and a half. It’s independent living and assisted living. From everything I saw there, it was very good. They had se
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My father was in assisted living at Ascension Living Resurrection Village for a year and a half. It’s independent living and assisted living. From everything I saw there, it was very good. They had several activities. He was treated well. He was well taken care of there. He had a single room and it had its own bathroom and shower. He had a bed. It’s almost like a studio apartment without a stove and refrigerator. He didn’t take part in many of the activities, but in the independent living, they have buses that go to plays and shows and they take them grocery shopping. My dad didn’t take part in that, but they always had activities every day, morning, afternoon, and early evening. I highly recommend them. My sister-in-law’s mother-in-law was there. There’s one resident there who’s been there for almost 30 years. Their facilities were good. I’m very happy with them and very pleased with them. My dad hated to leave but he can’t care for himself as he should.
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My father was in assisted living at Ascension Living Resurrection Village for a year and a half. It’s independent living and assisted living. From everything I saw there, it was very good. They had se
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My father was in assisted living at Ascension Living Resurrection Village for a year and a half. It’s independent living and assisted living. From everything I saw there, it was very good. They had several activities. He was treated well. He was well taken care of there. He had a single room and it had its own bathroom and shower. He had a bed. It’s almost like a studio apartment without a stove and refrigerator. He didn’t take part in many of the activities, but in the independent living, they have buses that go to plays and shows and they take them grocery shopping. My dad didn’t take part in that, but they always had activities every day, morning, afternoon, and early evening. I highly recommend them. My sister-in-law’s mother-in-law was there. There’s one resident there who’s been there for almost 30 years. Their facilities were good. I’m very happy with them and very pleased with them. My dad hated to leave but he can’t care for himself as he should.
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Friedman Place
5527 North Maplewood Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60625
Amazing place for those with significant vision loss. Everything is set up enable residents to be as independent as possible. Color contrasts around doors, talking elevators, assistive technology avai
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Amazing place for those with significant vision loss. Everything is set up enable residents to be as independent as possible. Color contrasts around doors, talking elevators, assistive technology available ascwell as training for using it. Staff is simply incredible. From cleaning staff to Executive Director everyone is helpful and kind.
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Amazing place for those with significant vision loss. Everything is set up enable residents to be as independent as possible. Color contrasts around doors, talking elevators, assistive technology avai
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Amazing place for those with significant vision loss. Everything is set up enable residents to be as independent as possible. Color contrasts around doors, talking elevators, assistive technology available ascwell as training for using it. Staff is simply incredible. From cleaning staff to Executive Director everyone is helpful and kind.
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Grand Regency of South Shore
7419 S Exchange Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60649
The service has been fantastic. Top quality care for my mom. The staff/team knows my mom and her needs. I sleep in peace knowing that my mom is cared for at such a high level.
The service has been fantastic. Top quality care for my mom. The staff/team knows my mom and her needs. I sleep in peace knowing that my mom is cared for at such a high level.
Paul House & Health Care Center
3800 N. California Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60618
Staff is great and helpful with arranging care and transportation of necessary. Transition from rehab after hospital stay to Assisted living was very smooth. Entire building is being updated and remod
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Staff is great and helpful with arranging care and transportation of necessary. Transition from rehab after hospital stay to Assisted living was very smooth. Entire building is being updated and remodeled. Park is across the street. Shopping and food a few blocks away.
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Staff is great and helpful with arranging care and transportation of necessary. Transition from rehab after hospital stay to Assisted living was very smooth. Entire building is being updated and remod
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Staff is great and helpful with arranging care and transportation of necessary. Transition from rehab after hospital stay to Assisted living was very smooth. Entire building is being updated and remodeled. Park is across the street. Shopping and food a few blocks away.
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Bethany Retirement Community
4950 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60640
My dad has moved into Bethany Retirement Community. It’s actually pretty good. Three meals a day are included. They have good food choices so my dad has different options. I think it’s kinda better th
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My dad has moved into Bethany Retirement Community. It’s actually pretty good. Three meals a day are included. They have good food choices so my dad has different options. I think it’s kinda better than a smaller facility. I like that it’s within the city. The staff members are very friendly. They don’t have much activity. For the price, we’re getting a pretty good deal.
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My dad has moved into Bethany Retirement Community. It’s actually pretty good. Three meals a day are included. They have good food choices so my dad has different options. I think it’s kinda better th
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My dad has moved into Bethany Retirement Community. It’s actually pretty good. Three meals a day are included. They have good food choices so my dad has different options. I think it’s kinda better than a smaller facility. I like that it’s within the city. The staff members are very friendly. They don’t have much activity. For the price, we’re getting a pretty good deal.
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Friendly Towers
920 W. Wilson, Chicago, IL, 60640
It’s a 5 stars to me, I lived there for 14 years and it was a warm cozy place to live.
It’s a 5 stars to me, I lived there for 14 years and it was a warm cozy place to live.
Greenview Place
1501 West Melrose Street, Chicago, IL, 60657
I would say that Greenview Place was not one that we particularly liked. The person that toured us there was very, very nice and very helpful, but we did not feel that this was a good match for us. We
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I would say that Greenview Place was not one that we particularly liked. The person that toured us there was very, very nice and very helpful, but we did not feel that this was a good match for us. We went to see assisted living. They offer food, which they get in the dining room and are served family-style. I believe that there is some housekeeping and laundry too.
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I would say that Greenview Place was not one that we particularly liked. The person that toured us there was very, very nice and very helpful, but we did not feel that this was a good match for us. We
… (read more)
I would say that Greenview Place was not one that we particularly liked. The person that toured us there was very, very nice and very helpful, but we did not feel that this was a good match for us. We went to see assisted living. They offer food, which they get in the dining room and are served family-style. I believe that there is some housekeeping and laundry too.
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Eden Supportive Living
940 West Gordon Terrace, Chicago, IL, 60613
This is such a beautiful facility! A friend and I were looking for a place for her mom for the future. Not only was Lori Cantway (the director of the facility) such a friendly and welcoming person, sh
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This is such a beautiful facility! A friend and I were looking for a place for her mom for the future. Not only was Lori Cantway (the director of the facility) such a friendly and welcoming person, she was also very warm hearted. She answered all of the questions my friend had asked and also welcomed us to stay for lunch. This would definitely be a great place to be!
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This is such a beautiful facility! A friend and I were looking for a place for her mom for the future. Not only was Lori Cantway (the director of the facility) such a friendly and welcoming person, sh
… (read more)
This is such a beautiful facility! A friend and I were looking for a place for her mom for the future. Not only was Lori Cantway (the director of the facility) such a friendly and welcoming person, she was also very warm hearted. She answered all of the questions my friend had asked and also welcomed us to stay for lunch. This would definitely be a great place to be!
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Harmony Health Care and Rehabilitation Center
3919 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625
I loved Harmony. The atmosphere was great. The staff chipped in for everybody else. They covered for each other. They didn’t say, "That’s not my job. I’ll find you somebody." It wasn’t just the nursin
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I loved Harmony. The atmosphere was great. The staff chipped in for everybody else. They covered for each other. They didn’t say, "That’s not my job. I’ll find you somebody." It wasn’t just the nursing staff but also the people who were giving physical rehabilitation. If someone were passing by and they saw your light on, the person would come in and ask about what was going on. The administration was the exact same way. I think they had two different chefs, and one guy was a really great chef. I could tell when he was there because when I would eat his food, I would love it. I could tell when the other guy was there because I would taste the food, and it would be very unsavory to me. Still, you could call down to the kitchen and ask for a deli sandwich or a hotdog, so they were really accommodating. They made the best homemade tomato soup that I have ever tasted in my life. They really tried to do therapy. If you were to say, "Okay, I’m really tired right now," they would come back in a couple of hours to make sure that you would get that rehab. They would do it in your room. It was a good staff. Andy, the guy who ran the facility, was really nice. The young people who worked there were really kind.
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I loved Harmony. The atmosphere was great. The staff chipped in for everybody else. They covered for each other. They didn’t say, "That’s not my job. I’ll find you somebody." It wasn’t just the nursin
… (read more)
I loved Harmony. The atmosphere was great. The staff chipped in for everybody else. They covered for each other. They didn’t say, "That’s not my job. I’ll find you somebody." It wasn’t just the nursing staff but also the people who were giving physical rehabilitation. If someone were passing by and they saw your light on, the person would come in and ask about what was going on. The administration was the exact same way. I think they had two different chefs, and one guy was a really great chef. I could tell when he was there because when I would eat his food, I would love it. I could tell when the other guy was there because I would taste the food, and it would be very unsavory to me. Still, you could call down to the kitchen and ask for a deli sandwich or a hotdog, so they were really accommodating. They made the best homemade tomato soup that I have ever tasted in my life. They really tried to do therapy. If you were to say, "Okay, I’m really tired right now," they would come back in a couple of hours to make sure that you would get that rehab. They would do it in your room. It was a good staff. Andy, the guy who ran the facility, was really nice. The young people who worked there were really kind.
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Barton Senior Residences of Chicago
1245 S Wood St, Chicago, IL, 60608
I really liked Barton Senior Residences of Chicago. It’s brand new, they have a lot of activities for seniors, and they have a doctor and nurses that check on the residents daily, which right now is s
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I really liked Barton Senior Residences of Chicago. It’s brand new, they have a lot of activities for seniors, and they have a doctor and nurses that check on the residents daily, which right now is something I need. My only issue is the price of the rent, which is astronomical. Everything in each apartment is brand new. They showed me a model suite, which has a living space, a kitchen on one side, and a nice bathroom. They serve the tenants breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, they take about 90% of whatever your income is and you get $90 back. They have activities like field trips and things of that nature. The food looked good, was appetizing, and pleasant. They have a barber shop, a beauty salon, an office full of nurses, and a big community room with a big TV with cable that you can watch. You can get cable and WiFi in your own apartment, but that’s extra.
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I really liked Barton Senior Residences of Chicago. It’s brand new, they have a lot of activities for seniors, and they have a doctor and nurses that check on the residents daily, which right now is s
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I really liked Barton Senior Residences of Chicago. It’s brand new, they have a lot of activities for seniors, and they have a doctor and nurses that check on the residents daily, which right now is something I need. My only issue is the price of the rent, which is astronomical. Everything in each apartment is brand new. They showed me a model suite, which has a living space, a kitchen on one side, and a nice bathroom. They serve the tenants breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, they take about 90% of whatever your income is and you get $90 back. They have activities like field trips and things of that nature. The food looked good, was appetizing, and pleasant. They have a barber shop, a beauty salon, an office full of nurses, and a big community room with a big TV with cable that you can watch. You can get cable and WiFi in your own apartment, but that’s extra.
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Foster Integrated Living
7034 S Normal Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60621
My family decided to try this place out after receiving a recommendation from a friend. My cousin who has now been a resident for about a year seems pretty content. I visited him last week and asked
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My family decided to try this place out after receiving a recommendation from a friend. My cousin who has now been a resident for about a year seems pretty content. I visited him last week and asked how he liked it. He says he has made friends with some of the guys. The staff is very friendly. Most of them are pretty young, probably in their twenties and thirties. I noticed some volunteer workers as well. They were organizing and putting together a special dinner party for the weekend for all the residents. I thought that was really nice. So far, so good!
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My family decided to try this place out after receiving a recommendation from a friend. My cousin who has now been a resident for about a year seems pretty content. I visited him last week and asked
… (read more)
My family decided to try this place out after receiving a recommendation from a friend. My cousin who has now been a resident for about a year seems pretty content. I visited him last week and asked how he liked it. He says he has made friends with some of the guys. The staff is very friendly. Most of them are pretty young, probably in their twenties and thirties. I noticed some volunteer workers as well. They were organizing and putting together a special dinner party for the weekend for all the residents. I thought that was really nice. So far, so good!
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Grasmere Residential Care
4621 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL, 60640
I had a chance to visit this facility a while back with my family when we were visiting a friend who had just got out of physical therapy treatment. I toured the facility with the staff who was willi
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I had a chance to visit this facility a while back with my family when we were visiting a friend who had just got out of physical therapy treatment. I toured the facility with the staff who was willing and eager to help. The place looked fairly clean and everyone there were quite friendly. After talking for a bit with my friend who resides there, we went on to do some group activities which included ten minute stretching and breathing routines. I had fun doing that. After that, we went on to had snacks that the staff had prepared for us. I thought that was thoughtful of them to do so. Overall, I had a good experience and I think my friend is in good hands.
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I had a chance to visit this facility a while back with my family when we were visiting a friend who had just got out of physical therapy treatment. I toured the facility with the staff who was willi
… (read more)
I had a chance to visit this facility a while back with my family when we were visiting a friend who had just got out of physical therapy treatment. I toured the facility with the staff who was willing and eager to help. The place looked fairly clean and everyone there were quite friendly. After talking for a bit with my friend who resides there, we went on to do some group activities which included ten minute stretching and breathing routines. I had fun doing that. After that, we went on to had snacks that the staff had prepared for us. I thought that was thoughtful of them to do so. Overall, I had a good experience and I think my friend is in good hands.
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Pioneer Gardens
3800 South Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, IL, 60653
My brother is in Pioneer Gardens, and he’s in his second month there. We are elated. It’s wonderful. We appreciate them. We love them and the accommodations. He’s so happy. He was so sad before, and w
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My brother is in Pioneer Gardens, and he’s in his second month there. We are elated. It’s wonderful. We appreciate them. We love them and the accommodations. He’s so happy. He was so sad before, and we were so worried. We were scared. I’m like, "My brother’s going to be homeless." However, they accepted him. We’re just overwhelmed with happiness.
He said that everyone is just wonderful and attentive. Everybody is working with him. They give him his medicine. They will give him a ride to the doctor and pick him up from the doctor. He said the food is delicious.
They are very clean. They even come in and clean his room for him once a week. They do his laundry for him. They have a place where he can go to buy a soda or something, if he has any little money left after paying from Social Security. It’s just wonderful. He just likes sitting outside, and he’ll stand on his balcony. He is not involved in any activities. If you have a low income, you have a place that is very clean.
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My brother is in Pioneer Gardens, and he’s in his second month there. We are elated. It’s wonderful. We appreciate them. We love them and the accommodations. He’s so happy. He was so sad before, and w
… (read more)
My brother is in Pioneer Gardens, and he’s in his second month there. We are elated. It’s wonderful. We appreciate them. We love them and the accommodations. He’s so happy. He was so sad before, and we were so worried. We were scared. I’m like, "My brother’s going to be homeless." However, they accepted him. We’re just overwhelmed with happiness.
He said that everyone is just wonderful and attentive. Everybody is working with him. They give him his medicine. They will give him a ride to the doctor and pick him up from the doctor. He said the food is delicious.
They are very clean. They even come in and clean his room for him once a week. They do his laundry for him. They have a place where he can go to buy a soda or something, if he has any little money left after paying from Social Security. It’s just wonderful. He just likes sitting outside, and he’ll stand on his balcony. He is not involved in any activities. If you have a low income, you have a place that is very clean.
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Continental Care Center
5336 North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60625
This past April my uncle in terminal condition due to Prostate Cancer was in nursing care counting down the days until death. At first a week out from him expiring, he was left bedridden fast asleep
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This past April my uncle in terminal condition due to Prostate Cancer was in nursing care counting down the days until death. At first a week out from him expiring, he was left bedridden fast asleep with the television blaring at full volume with nobody bothering lowering the volume or simply turning it off. The meals left for him or somebody else to spoon-feed him were nothing more but corner store peel-top processed items, such as apple sauce and milk. When he slightly woke up uncomfortable needing flipping over, the nurse needed to be paged well over five times before anybody showed up. The page came after being asked that many times to repetitively page over and over again. On his second to last day, his corpse of a body was found lying on a reclined bed facing the 42" flat panel with some random cooking show on air. With only a blanket slightly covering one of his sides, the nurses were in the back counting down the minutes before their smoke break.
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This past April my uncle in terminal condition due to Prostate Cancer was in nursing care counting down the days until death. At first a week out from him expiring, he was left bedridden fast asleep
… (read more)
This past April my uncle in terminal condition due to Prostate Cancer was in nursing care counting down the days until death. At first a week out from him expiring, he was left bedridden fast asleep with the television blaring at full volume with nobody bothering lowering the volume or simply turning it off. The meals left for him or somebody else to spoon-feed him were nothing more but corner store peel-top processed items, such as apple sauce and milk. When he slightly woke up uncomfortable needing flipping over, the nurse needed to be paged well over five times before anybody showed up. The page came after being asked that many times to repetitively page over and over again. On his second to last day, his corpse of a body was found lying on a reclined bed facing the 42" flat panel with some random cooking show on air. With only a blanket slightly covering one of his sides, the nurses were in the back counting down the minutes before their smoke break.
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Arbour Health Care Center
1512 West Fargo Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60626
My old neighbor’s brother is a resident. Since my old neighbor and I kept in touch over the years and became very good friends, I thought it’d be nice to pay her brother a visit. I knew him quite wel
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My old neighbor’s brother is a resident. Since my old neighbor and I kept in touch over the years and became very good friends, I thought it’d be nice to pay her brother a visit. I knew him quite well back in the day. I entered the facility and I noticed a really bad smell. The place reeked of something bad. My first impression was definitely not good. To make matters worse, when I entered his room, it was filthy. His food trays from breakfast and lunch were laying around and it was close to dinner time. I was shocked. The treatment couldn’t have been good. With a lack of effort, attention and focus, I would never send a loved one to this facility. After some time, I heard my neighbor moved her brother out to another facility.
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My old neighbor’s brother is a resident. Since my old neighbor and I kept in touch over the years and became very good friends, I thought it’d be nice to pay her brother a visit. I knew him quite wel
… (read more)
My old neighbor’s brother is a resident. Since my old neighbor and I kept in touch over the years and became very good friends, I thought it’d be nice to pay her brother a visit. I knew him quite well back in the day. I entered the facility and I noticed a really bad smell. The place reeked of something bad. My first impression was definitely not good. To make matters worse, when I entered his room, it was filthy. His food trays from breakfast and lunch were laying around and it was close to dinner time. I was shocked. The treatment couldn’t have been good. With a lack of effort, attention and focus, I would never send a loved one to this facility. After some time, I heard my neighbor moved her brother out to another facility.
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COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Chicago
Since most COVID-19 rules for Assisted Living Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Assisted Living in Illinois. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What To Consider About Assisted Living in Chicago
The Illinois Department of Public Health is in charge of assisted living communities in the entire state, including Chicago. The IDPH licenses assisted living facilities and regularly inspects them to ensure they’re following the rules and regulations outlined in the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Establishment Code.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Chicago
- Chicago’s public transit systems, including the Metra Rail system and the Chicago Transit Authority, make it possible to live in the city without needing to drive. CTA bus routes stop every few blocks throughout the city, and the Chicago Department of Family & Support Service operates a Transportation Program that helps seniors get around town at little to no cost.
- The brutal winter weather in Chicago can be a drawback for some seniors. Because of the city’s location along Lake Michigan, it can get severe ice and snowstorms. The average winter temperature is just 26 degrees. Summer weather can be comfortable, though, providing many opportunities to enjoy the lakefront.
- Chicago is home to several world-class medical centers, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital. This hospital is No. 8 in the nation for senior care, according to U.S. News & World Report. It’s also home to Rush University Medical Center, ranked 16th in the nation for senior care.
- Active seniors will find plenty to do in Chicago. The city’s museums, theaters and cultural centers mean there’s always something interesting to do. World-famous museums, like the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium, await exploration. The city has many art galleries and dining options as well.
- U.S News & World Report ranks Chicago among the top 100 places to retire. Though it doesn’t earn high marks for affordability, the many things to do make it one of the top options in the country.
Paying for Assisted Living in Chicago
Based on the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average cost for assisted living in Chicago is $4,825 a month, which is about $300 higher than the Illinois state average of $4,488. It’s also higher than the national average of $4,500 a month.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
Compared to other cities in Illinois, Chicago is in the middle of the road. Chicago’s average assisted living cost is $4,825, while just to the south in Kankakee, seniors pay an average of $4,623 a month. Carbondale in the south of the state has the lowest monthly average at $3,525. To the northwest of Chicago in Rockford, which has the state’s highest average, seniors pay $5,250 a month. In Decatur, in central Illinois, the average drops to $4,382 a month.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
The most affordable senior care option in Chicago is adult day health care, which averages $1,842 a month. Seniors who want to remain in their homes but need assistance with housekeeping can pay for homemaker services, which averages $5,672, or home health aide care, which adds simple health care services, for $5,720 a month. The most costly option is nursing home care, which gives around-the-clock attention and averages $6,996 for a semiprivate room or $8,060 for a private room.
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.
More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Illinois page.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Chicago
The city of Chicago has a robust list of senior services. These, in combination with the services offered on a state-wide level, help seniors take full advantage of their retirement years. Through these programs and organizations, seniors and their families can get everything from healthcare and insurance counseling to legal advice.
Resource
Contact
Service
(312) 738-9200
Many attorneys throughout the city of Chicago have partnered with the city and CARPLS to assist seniors with legal concerns. These attorneys provide free assistance with Power of Attorney, Living Wills, Guardianship and other senior-specific legal issues that seniors and their caregivers face. Seniors can call the free legal hotline to get started getting legal assistance.
(800) 252-8966
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman works with assisted living facilities and with seniors and their families to ensure all residents of long-term care communities receive quality care. Seniors or family members can call the ombudsman to discuss instances of abuse or neglect and to get advocacy help to protect their loved ones.
(312) 603-6423
The VA benefits process can be complex and confusing. The Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs office helps connect senior veterans with the benefits they deserve to receive. This includes monetary benefits as well as discounts in the local community. Seniors who served the country can reach out to the VA to get guidance to ensure they are receiving all of their benefits.
(312) 744-4016
Chicago has six main senior centers and many satellite centers that provide a connection point for seniors in the city to get access to services, enjoy a meal with friends or take part in classes and events. These serve as a social outlet for many of the city’s seniors. Seniors can call the Chicago Senior Services Hotline to find their local senior center.
(312) 663-4357
Through the Chicago Senior Transportation Program, seniors can receive emergency medical transportation or door-to-door service. IF their assisted living facilities do not offer transportation, these programs provide an option to navigate the city at a minimal cost.
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.
