The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Freeport, IL for 2023

 

Freeport is a vibrant city with numerous parks, historical sites and cultural amenities, offering a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. Nearly a quarter of its 23,000 residents are aged 65 and over, which promotes access to age-friendly social activities and access to community-based services. Freeport’s continental climate appeals to many who enjoy experiencing distinct seasons, and a low cost of living and retiree-friendly taxes support seniors’ financial stability.

The city also supports its senior community through access to a range of long-term care options, including high-quality assisted living facilities. These facilities provide individualized care plans, along with daily meals, housekeeping services and social and recreational activities. Many facilities let residents keep pets, fostering a homelike environment, and some have on-site amenities such as hair salons and movie theaters. On average, seniors in Freeport pay $5,250 per month for care, which is hundreds of dollars over the respective state and national norms of $4,488 and $4,500.

Through this guide, readers can learn more about assisted living costs in the Freeport region, including how rates compare to other local senior care options and popular ways to pay for care. It also highlights some of the licensing requirements facilities must follow. 

In Freeport, all assisted living facilities are licensed and regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health. This department publishes a comprehensive list of rules facilities must follow related to building requirements, staffing, care planning and move-in and move-out procedures. It also has an online complaint form for individuals to report substandard care or conditions in an assisted living facility.

 

• Freeport is among the most budget-friendly options in Illinois, with an overall cost of living that comes in 30% below the national norm and about 24 percentage points below the statewide average. Housing is especially affordable, although residents may also spend less on groceries and transportation expenses compared to those in other cities. This may promote competitive assisted living pricing.
• On a 100-point crime index that assigns lower scores to communities with less criminal activity, Freeport rates 41.2 for property crime and 12.2 for violent offenses. While the local property crime score is high compared to the national rate of 35.4, Freeport’s violent crime score is very low versus the national norm of 22.7. This may foster a welcoming environment for active seniors seeking a safe community for their retirement.
• As is typical of the Midwest, Freeport has a humid continental climate with warm summers and chilly winters. The summer months are the most comfortable, rating 8.9 on a 10-point comfort index, with daytime highs around 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cold with lows around 12 degrees Fahrenheit, and the city gets about 33 inches of snow, earning it a comfort score of 4.4. To help residents stay comfortable regardless of the season, many assisted living facilities have individual climate controls in residents’ rooms.
• Nearly all forms of retirement income are exempt from state income taxes in Illinois, which can help seniors afford assisted living expenses in Freeport. While property and sales taxes are among the highest in the nation, moving to residential care can minimize the impact of these expenses for seniors.
• FHN Memorial Hospital is located in Freeport, giving assisted living residents access to a range of primary and specialty care services. This hospital provides telemedicine services for optimal convenience, along with a variety of geriatric services. While the number of doctors per capita is low in this city, coming in at 136 versus the national norm of 210, many assisted living facilities have on-call doctors to promote prompt access to care.

 

In Freeport, assisted living facilities charge approximately $5,250 per month for care.

Seniors obtaining assisted living in the Freeport region pay $5,250 per month for care, which is about 17% higher than state and national norms, as well as care costs in nearby surveyed cities. In Bloomington, monthly care costs are comparable to rates in Freeport at $5,160, but seniors may save about $425 per month by choosing an assisted living facility in Chicago. Similarly, in Kankakee, monthly care costs come in at $4,623, and in Peoria, monthly fees are about 21% below Freeport’s norm.

Assisted living rates in Freeport come in at $5,250, which is relatively economical compared to other types of senior care in this region. Agencies that provide in-home care and home health care charge about 7% more than assisted living facilities, and nursing home residents pay $7,445 per month on average for semi private accommodations. For those seeking more affordably priced services, adult day health care costs $1,801 and may be a viable alternative.

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.