McHenry is a vibrant city known for its unique museums, dynamic arts and culture scene and some of the best farmers markets in the state. It’s a suburban city in the Chicago metro and has over 27,000 residents. Those aged 65 and over make up nearly 15% of the population and are served by reliable, easy-to-use public transportation programs and a nationally recognized hospital. The city is relatively affordable and has minimal crime, making it a good option for those seeking senior care services in northeastern Illinois.
Assisted living provides convenient, high-quality services for older adults who need help with daily living activities. These residential facilities provide on-site personal care, nutrition and medication management services and social and recreational activities. The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey discloses that on average, McHenry residents pay $4,950 per month for this level of care.
This guide provides more information on assisted living costs in McHenry and highlights how they compare to rates in other cities, as well as fees for other types of senior care. It also features a table with local resources for seniors.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in McHenry, IL
3300 Charles J Miller Road, Mchenry, IL, 60050
Randall Residence of McHenry was excellent. The director of sales was amazing, caring, compassionate, and thorough. It had a great physical appearance and many things to do. I was able to see everythi
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Randall Residence of McHenry was excellent. The director of sales was amazing, caring, compassionate, and thorough. It had a great physical appearance and many things to do. I was able to see everything. I saw the studio apartment, activities room, restaurant, physical building, library, meeting room, and the nursing area. All of the staff members were very kind. The facility was very clean. They are going to go through a remodel this/next year. The upkeep is good. The decor is going to be upgraded. The outdoor is really nice. They have some great patios. It’s on 16 acres, and there are woods on one side of the building. It is in a quiet, serene place.
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Randall Residence of McHenry was excellent. The director of sales was amazing, caring, compassionate, and thorough. It had a great physical appearance and many things to do. I was able to see everythi
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Randall Residence of McHenry was excellent. The director of sales was amazing, caring, compassionate, and thorough. It had a great physical appearance and many things to do. I was able to see everything. I saw the studio apartment, activities room, restaurant, physical building, library, meeting room, and the nursing area. All of the staff members were very kind. The facility was very clean. They are going to go through a remodel this/next year. The upkeep is good. The decor is going to be upgraded. The outdoor is really nice. They have some great patios. It’s on 16 acres, and there are woods on one side of the building. It is in a quiet, serene place.
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1330 N Riverdale Drive, Mchenry, IL, 60050
4609 W Crystal Lake Rd, Mchenry, IL, 60050
Located in McHenry, Illinois, near State Highway 50, Cold Springs Park and Centegra Hospital, White Oaks at McHenry engages seniors by playing games, joining the choir or working on craft projects, ac
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Located in McHenry, Illinois, near State Highway 50, Cold Springs Park and Centegra Hospital, White Oaks at McHenry engages seniors by playing games, joining the choir or working on craft projects, according to visitors. Amenities include a library, lounge areas, activity rooms and a winter garden. Relatives say the food is quite good and residents can select three restaurant-style meals daily, which are served in the bright, open dining room. Studio apartments and companion suites are available. Visitors remark that the facility is great and staff members are wonderful.
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Located in McHenry, Illinois, near State Highway 50, Cold Springs Park and Centegra Hospital, White Oaks at McHenry engages seniors by playing games, joining the choir or working on craft projects, ac
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Located in McHenry, Illinois, near State Highway 50, Cold Springs Park and Centegra Hospital, White Oaks at McHenry engages seniors by playing games, joining the choir or working on craft projects, according to visitors. Amenities include a library, lounge areas, activity rooms and a winter garden. Relatives say the food is quite good and residents can select three restaurant-style meals daily, which are served in the bright, open dining room. Studio apartments and companion suites are available. Visitors remark that the facility is great and staff members are wonderful.
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1307 N Green St, Mchenry, IL, 60050
22320 Classic Court, Lake Barrington, IL, 60010
Lake Barrington is located near W. Northwest Highway, Foxmoor Park and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Lake Barrington, Illinois. This facility is praised by relatives for its beautiful grounds, cl
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Lake Barrington is located near W. Northwest Highway, Foxmoor Park and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Lake Barrington, Illinois. This facility is praised by relatives for its beautiful grounds, cleanliness and lovely dining room, which provides fresh, made-to-order meals. According to visitors, the staff is upbeat, caring and professional. Residents have access to several recreational amenities, including a billiards room, indoor swimming pool and tennis courts. Reviewers comment on the many activities, such as happy hour, scuba lessons, religious services, poker and other games. Seniors appreciate Lake Barrington’s pet-friendly environment and the covered parking.
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Lake Barrington is located near W. Northwest Highway, Foxmoor Park and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Lake Barrington, Illinois. This facility is praised by relatives for its beautiful grounds, cl
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Lake Barrington is located near W. Northwest Highway, Foxmoor Park and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Lake Barrington, Illinois. This facility is praised by relatives for its beautiful grounds, cleanliness and lovely dining room, which provides fresh, made-to-order meals. According to visitors, the staff is upbeat, caring and professional. Residents have access to several recreational amenities, including a billiards room, indoor swimming pool and tennis courts. Reviewers comment on the many activities, such as happy hour, scuba lessons, religious services, poker and other games. Seniors appreciate Lake Barrington’s pet-friendly environment and the covered parking.
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16 Lilac Ave, Fox Lake, IL, 60020
The Cottages of Fox Lake was a more intimate place. It’s small, homey, and it was all one level. It had nice amenities. The courtyard was beautiful and there were little walking paths. It felt less co
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The Cottages of Fox Lake was a more intimate place. It’s small, homey, and it was all one level. It had nice amenities. The courtyard was beautiful and there were little walking paths. It felt less commercial than some of the bigger homes that I had gone to tour.
The staff was very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Each cottage had about 16 residents and each had its own kitchen and chef. They have a dining area, a nice living area, a nice library, and a whirlpool bathtub. They do gardening, they have bird feeders, they watch movies, and different planned activities that they do each day that my mom could choose to participate in. So, it seemed like they engage the people more because the ratio of staff to the residents is much better. I also got some chocolate chip cookies to take home and they were good.
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The Cottages of Fox Lake was a more intimate place. It’s small, homey, and it was all one level. It had nice amenities. The courtyard was beautiful and there were little walking paths. It felt less co
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The Cottages of Fox Lake was a more intimate place. It’s small, homey, and it was all one level. It had nice amenities. The courtyard was beautiful and there were little walking paths. It felt less commercial than some of the bigger homes that I had gone to tour.
The staff was very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Each cottage had about 16 residents and each had its own kitchen and chef. They have a dining area, a nice living area, a nice library, and a whirlpool bathtub. They do gardening, they have bird feeders, they watch movies, and different planned activities that they do each day that my mom could choose to participate in. So, it seemed like they engage the people more because the ratio of staff to the residents is much better. I also got some chocolate chip cookies to take home and they were good.
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717 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake, IL, 60014
Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, Bickford of Crystal Lake is near Hill Farm Park and The Commons of Crystal Lake shopping mall. Visitors describe this facility as charming and note its homey, welcom
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Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, Bickford of Crystal Lake is near Hill Farm Park and The Commons of Crystal Lake shopping mall. Visitors describe this facility as charming and note its homey, welcoming feel. According to reviews, it has attractive grounds and convenient access to nature preserves and walking paths. Relatives consistently point out the helpful, friendly staff. Guests say that the dining area is open, inviting and the food is enjoyable. They also mention that snacks are available 24 hours a day in the on-site cafe.
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Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, Bickford of Crystal Lake is near Hill Farm Park and The Commons of Crystal Lake shopping mall. Visitors describe this facility as charming and note its homey, welcom
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Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, Bickford of Crystal Lake is near Hill Farm Park and The Commons of Crystal Lake shopping mall. Visitors describe this facility as charming and note its homey, welcoming feel. According to reviews, it has attractive grounds and convenient access to nature preserves and walking paths. Relatives consistently point out the helpful, friendly staff. Guests say that the dining area is open, inviting and the food is enjoyable. They also mention that snacks are available 24 hours a day in the on-site cafe.
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751 Terra Cotta Avenue, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014
Sunrise of Crystal Lake is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, close to the Crystal Lake Park District, Centegra Hospital Woodstock and Crystal Lake Antique Mall. Visitors give high marks to this facil
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Sunrise of Crystal Lake is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, close to the Crystal Lake Park District, Centegra Hospital Woodstock and Crystal Lake Antique Mall. Visitors give high marks to this facility for its friendly and caring atmosphere, excellent staff and spacious rooms. They say Sunrise offers residents a full activity schedule, which includes religious services and card games. Residents can also attend exercise classes in the fitness room and visit with each other in the many common areas. According to reviewers, the food is very good.
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Sunrise of Crystal Lake is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, close to the Crystal Lake Park District, Centegra Hospital Woodstock and Crystal Lake Antique Mall. Visitors give high marks to this facil
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Sunrise of Crystal Lake is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, close to the Crystal Lake Park District, Centegra Hospital Woodstock and Crystal Lake Antique Mall. Visitors give high marks to this facility for its friendly and caring atmosphere, excellent staff and spacious rooms. They say Sunrise offers residents a full activity schedule, which includes religious services and card games. Residents can also attend exercise classes in the fitness room and visit with each other in the many common areas. According to reviewers, the food is very good.
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76 East Rollins Road, Round Lake Beach, IL, 60073
Oak Hill Supportive Living is located in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, near the Rollins Crossing shopping mall, and relatives appreciate its convenient central location. Reviewers consistently note the
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Oak Hill Supportive Living is located in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, near the Rollins Crossing shopping mall, and relatives appreciate its convenient central location. Reviewers consistently note the full calendar of social activities, which includes art classes, drumming circles and visits with the community’s adopted rescue dog. The staff members are mentioned regularly by visitors, who describe them as courteous and friendly. Residents’ loved ones compliment Oak Hill’s beautiful dining room and good food served restaurant-style. Room service is available if requested. The community has an on-site salon and a general store.
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Oak Hill Supportive Living is located in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, near the Rollins Crossing shopping mall, and relatives appreciate its convenient central location. Reviewers consistently note the
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Oak Hill Supportive Living is located in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, near the Rollins Crossing shopping mall, and relatives appreciate its convenient central location. Reviewers consistently note the full calendar of social activities, which includes art classes, drumming circles and visits with the community’s adopted rescue dog. The staff members are mentioned regularly by visitors, who describe them as courteous and friendly. Residents’ loved ones compliment Oak Hill’s beautiful dining room and good food served restaurant-style. Room service is available if requested. The community has an on-site salon and a general store.
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1001 Cherry Valley Rd, Bull Valley, IL, 60050
I toured Shepherd of Bull Valley and it was beautiful. It was extremely nice, very well kept, with beautiful grounds. The house was very organized and had a really good flow. There were a lot of enter
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I toured Shepherd of Bull Valley and it was beautiful. It was extremely nice, very well kept, with beautiful grounds. The house was very organized and had a really good flow. There were a lot of entertaining areas, and if you wanted to bring family and extended family for a birthday party or something, they had a large gathering area. It looked like it fit our needs.
There was a little beauty salon there, a small library if you want to call it such. It was a very large house that was converted into assisted living, so, it was small with maybe eight rooms. That was neat. A different experience than a larger one. That’s why we felt that would have suited our mom better. I think each room had a private bath, but nothing more than a bedroom.
The staff was extremely helpful and thoughtful. She mentioned and brought up things that we wouldn’t even have considered for assisted living. Things that would have been needed. I wish it would have worked out, but my mother was not willing.
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I toured Shepherd of Bull Valley and it was beautiful. It was extremely nice, very well kept, with beautiful grounds. The house was very organized and had a really good flow. There were a lot of enter
… (read more)
I toured Shepherd of Bull Valley and it was beautiful. It was extremely nice, very well kept, with beautiful grounds. The house was very organized and had a really good flow. There were a lot of entertaining areas, and if you wanted to bring family and extended family for a birthday party or something, they had a large gathering area. It looked like it fit our needs.
There was a little beauty salon there, a small library if you want to call it such. It was a very large house that was converted into assisted living, so, it was small with maybe eight rooms. That was neat. A different experience than a larger one. That’s why we felt that would have suited our mom better. I think each room had a private bath, but nothing more than a bedroom.
The staff was extremely helpful and thoughtful. She mentioned and brought up things that we wouldn’t even have considered for assisted living. Things that would have been needed. I wish it would have worked out, but my mother was not willing.
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920 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL, 60098
I like the staff at Hearthstone Village. The rooms were nice, had nice, big windows, and was decent sized. They had a nice and well-maintained eating area. There’s a bus that they go on, and they take
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I like the staff at Hearthstone Village. The rooms were nice, had nice, big windows, and was decent sized. They had a nice and well-maintained eating area. There’s a bus that they go on, and they take them places. They don’t take the residents if they’re not well enough to go. The care and food are quite good.
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I like the staff at Hearthstone Village. The rooms were nice, had nice, big windows, and was decent sized. They had a nice and well-maintained eating area. There’s a bus that they go on, and they take
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I like the staff at Hearthstone Village. The rooms were nice, had nice, big windows, and was decent sized. They had a nice and well-maintained eating area. There’s a bus that they go on, and they take them places. They don’t take the residents if they’re not well enough to go. The care and food are quite good.
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5430 E. Hillside Road, Crystal Lake, IL, 60012
965 North Brighton Circle West, Crystal Lake, IL, 60012
The Fountains at Crystal Lake is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, near North Illinois Route 31 and Prairie Isle Golf Course. Relatives appreciate this facility’s wooded location and ski-lodge ambian
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The Fountains at Crystal Lake is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, near North Illinois Route 31 and Prairie Isle Golf Course. Relatives appreciate this facility’s wooded location and ski-lodge ambiance. According to family members, the community has large, clean rooms and plentiful amenities, which include a country store, beauty salon and a full-service bank. Loved ones also note the variety of available activities, such as yoga, mini-concerts and outings to local stores. Visitors find the dining area to be beautiful and note that the community holds candlelight dinners for special events.
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The Fountains at Crystal Lake is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, near North Illinois Route 31 and Prairie Isle Golf Course. Relatives appreciate this facility’s wooded location and ski-lodge ambian
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The Fountains at Crystal Lake is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, near North Illinois Route 31 and Prairie Isle Golf Course. Relatives appreciate this facility’s wooded location and ski-lodge ambiance. According to family members, the community has large, clean rooms and plentiful amenities, which include a country store, beauty salon and a full-service bank. Loved ones also note the variety of available activities, such as yoga, mini-concerts and outings to local stores. Visitors find the dining area to be beautiful and note that the community holds candlelight dinners for special events.
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1055 Silver Lake Road, Cary, IL, 60013
Three Oaks Assisted Living & Memory Care is in Gary, Illinois, close to U.S. Route 14, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital and Lions Park. This facility is praised by visitors for having a welcoming,
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Three Oaks Assisted Living & Memory Care is in Gary, Illinois, close to U.S. Route 14, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital and Lions Park. This facility is praised by visitors for having a welcoming, friendly environment as well as a caring, professional staff. According to residents’ relatives, the dining room is clean and spacious, and the appetizing meals are nutritious. Amenities include a beauty and barber shop, computer room, fitness center and movie theater. Residents can participate in a variety of activities, such as computer classes, religious services, tai chi, bowling and ice cream socials. Therapy dogs regularly visit the community.
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Three Oaks Assisted Living & Memory Care is in Gary, Illinois, close to U.S. Route 14, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital and Lions Park. This facility is praised by visitors for having a welcoming,
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Three Oaks Assisted Living & Memory Care is in Gary, Illinois, close to U.S. Route 14, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital and Lions Park. This facility is praised by visitors for having a welcoming, friendly environment as well as a caring, professional staff. According to residents’ relatives, the dining room is clean and spacious, and the appetizing meals are nutritious. Amenities include a beauty and barber shop, computer room, fitness center and movie theater. Residents can participate in a variety of activities, such as computer classes, religious services, tai chi, bowling and ice cream socials. Therapy dogs regularly visit the community.
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6809 Barnard Mill Road, Ringwood, IL, 60072
We ended up choosing Shepherd Premier Senior Living. It’s a 7-bedroom home — a shared housing on 2 acres — and the land is absolutely amazing. What stood out was the pure compassion on the CNAs’
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We ended up choosing Shepherd Premier Senior Living. It’s a 7-bedroom home — a shared housing on 2 acres — and the land is absolutely amazing. What stood out was the pure compassion on the CNAs’ faces for their patients. Because it was small, they had more individual one on one care which really made a big difference. They work with them everyday on different things. Sometimes, it’s puzzles, mind games, or Legos. They go toward each individual person on what they can do before they do an activity with them.
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We ended up choosing Shepherd Premier Senior Living. It’s a 7-bedroom home — a shared housing on 2 acres — and the land is absolutely amazing. What stood out was the pure compassion on the CNAs’
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We ended up choosing Shepherd Premier Senior Living. It’s a 7-bedroom home — a shared housing on 2 acres — and the land is absolutely amazing. What stood out was the pure compassion on the CNAs’ faces for their patients. Because it was small, they had more individual one on one care which really made a big difference. They work with them everyday on different things. Sometimes, it’s puzzles, mind games, or Legos. They go toward each individual person on what they can do before they do an activity with them.
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4570 Princeton Lane, Lake In The Hills, IL, 60156
What to Consider About Assisted Living in McHenry
The Illinois Department of Public Health monitors and regulates assisted living facilities in McHenry. It enforces a comprehensive set of regulations regarding medication and nutrition services, care planning and recreational activities. It ensures high-quality care through regular inspections and by investigating reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in McHenry
- While the overall cost of living in McHenry is a little higher than the state median, the city is an affordable place to live compared to the nation as a whole. Locals pay about 20% more for transportation than residents of other cities, but housing, personal groceries and utilities are relatively economically priced, which may result in more competitive assisted living rates.
- Seniors in McHenry don’t pay state income taxes on most types of retirement income, including Social Security benefits, public and private pension income and withdrawals from retirement savings accounts. Property taxes are very high, but older adults may avoid this expense by living in a residential care community.
- Older adults in McHenry can obtain public transportation services through MCRide Dial-A-Ride. This program provides demand-response curb-to-curb transportation services in McHenry and nearby communities. It operates on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on the weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pace fixed bus routes also operate within the region and provide free and reduced-fare permits for those aged 65 and over.
- Crime is uncommon in McHenry, which may provide peace of mind to older adults moving to the region for assisted living. Most recent crime data indicates that there are less than half the number of violent crimes per capita versus the state and national averages. Property crime is a little more prevalent, but its rate is still lower than state and national figures and has been trending downward for several years.
- McHenry is home to Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, a nationally recognized 179-bed teaching hospital with a range of adult specializations. Health care costs are about 7% higher here than in the nation as a whole, which may be a consideration for those managing chronic health conditions.
Paying for Assisted Living in McHenry
Seniors in McHenry pay $4,950 per month for assisted living services. This is nearly $400 higher than the state average of $4,575 and $650 more than the nationwide rate of $4,300, indicating that McHenry is a relatively pricey city to obtain this type of care.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
Assisted living rates throughout Illinois vary considerably depending on location. Danville is among the cheapest options, with monthly fees coming in nearly $600 below the national median at $3,989. In the Champaign area, assisted living is competitively priced at $4,163 per month. Seniors in Springfield pay $4,860 on average, and in McHenry, rates are higher at $4,950. Rockford is the most expensive surveyed city to obtain care in, with locals paying $5,113 per month.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Seniors in McHenry pay $4,950 per month for assisted living. While this is high compared to rates in other cities, it’s comparable to other senior care options within the region. Older adults pay slightly more to obtain care in their own homes, with homemaker services costing $4,957 monthly and specialized home health aides charging $5,053. Nursing homes offer a higher degree of care and have increased monthly rates of $8,076 for shared rooms and $8,532 for private accommodations. Adult day health care is the only cheaper option at $1,614 monthly.
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
Nursing Home Facility (private room)
Note: Care cost data for McHenry was not available, so data for the closest city, Chicago Area, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in McHenry
In Illinois, the HCBS Medicaid Waiver for Supportive Living Facilities helps pay for services in some assisted living communities, but it does not pay for room and board.
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 McHenry
Older adults in the McHenry area get support, information and assistance from various local organizations and programs. The following table features local resources to help older adults find the best residential care solutions for their needs and identify options for paying for services.
AgeGuide is the Area Agency on Aging for McHenry and the surrounding region. This agency provides a broad range of services to those aged 60 and over, including information and referrals for community-based services, health insurance options counseling, friendly visitors and health and wellness workshops. The agency also has online classes through GetSetUp, covering topics, such as hobbies and interests, current events, technology training and wellness.
Prairie State Legal Services is a local nonprofit organization that provides a range of civil legal services to those aged 60 and over to protect individuals’ rights and help them obtain the care and benefits they’re entitled to. Through the local office, seniors can get help with obtaining Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income and Social Security, which can help them pay for assisted living.
Illinois’s Senior Health Insurance Program is a volunteer-operated program that provides free, unbiased health insurance options counseling for Medicare beneficiaries. Seniors can call the program’s helpline for assistance with understanding Original Medicare’s benefits and determining whether the supplemental coverage of Medicare Advantage is right for their needs. The helpline can also help seniors determine whether they may qualify for Medicaid.
Senior Services Associates is a local nonprofit organization that provides a range of social, recreational and wellness programs for area seniors. Its McHenry location hosts monthly blood pressure screenings, birthday celebrations, movie matinees, age-friendly fitness classes and Coffee Klatch, which features free coffee and pastries. The organization also provides information and assistance to help seniors connect with community-based programs to supplement what they receive in assisted living.
The Veterans Assistance Commission serves older veterans in the McHenry region through advocacy, outreach and information services. Veterans can speak with trained officers who help them identify and apply for VA benefits that can help cover assisted living services, including pension programs, disability compensation and Aid and Attendance. The office can also help individuals determine whether they qualify for VA medical care or health insurance.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in McHenry
McHenry-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.
