Set along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in Central Illinois, Decatur is a vibrant community, home to nearly 70,000 residents. Roughly one-fifth of the city’s population are seniors aged 65 and older — a demographic at risk of developing a cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s, as they age. The Alzheimer’s Association projects that by 2050, as many as 12.7 million American seniors could be living with dementia.
In recent years, Decatur has seen a dramatic rise in the number of Alzheimer’s-related deaths. The CDC reports that between 2016 and 2020, dementia-related deaths increased by nearly 70%, which is significantly higher than the 19% increase seen in the total number of deaths. This makes it important for communities to have dementia care programs and services in place. Memory care facilities can provide a safe environment where seniors have access to 24-hour care, assistance with daily tasks and memory-focused programs.
This guide provides information about what it’s like living in Decatur, along with information about the cost of memory care and local resources that support the needs of seniors with dementia.
3 Results
2650 North Monroe St, Decatur, IL, 62526
4.5
(8 reviews)
"Carriage Crossing of Decatur was beautiful. I would love to have put my mother there, but they were private pay only. When I got there, I entered the main foyer and everything was neat and clean. There were some residents down in the dining hall and ..."
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1215 W Arbor Dr, Decatur, IL, 62526
5.0
(2 reviews)
"My mom chose Lincolnshire Place Decatur. They're doing a nice job with her. They keep the place very orderly and it's a nice place compared to a lot of places I've seen. The staff is very friendly and nice. She's getting physical therapy and occupati..."
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1415 W. Mound Rd., Decatur, IL, 62526
4.4
(11 reviews)
"My parents were previous residents at Randall Residence. This community is clean, friendly and everyone who lives there is very well taken care of. The staff genuinely cares for them, and their families. The nursing staff are kind, empathetic and ..."
READ MORECaring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
The Illinois Department of Health, Division of Assisted Living is responsible for licensing and regulation for all assisted living and shared housing establishments throughout the state, including in Decatur. This includes facilities that offer memory care services. The agency conducts surveys of facilities prior to licensure and again on an annual basis as part of the licensure renewal application process.
When trying to decide how to pay for memory care, one of the first questions that comes up is "How much does it cost?" With the impact of inflation, it's more important than ever to have up-to-date information when making a financial plan for senior living. To help shed light on real senior living prices, Caring.com has compiled proprietary cost data from its network of more than 75,000 senior living providers to provide insight into the average cost of memory care in Decatur and 65 other cities in Illinois.
In 2023, memory care costs about $5,539 per month in Decatur, up 10.4% from $5,017 in 2022. Average rates are predicted to rise by 7.9% to $5,976 by 2024. This is lower than the state's forecasted average of $6,382 but higher than the predicted national average of $5,792. Inflation plays a similar role in other cities; between 2022 and 2024 fees are forecast to increase in Peoria ($5,676 to $6,761) and Joliet ($5,440 to $6,479). Despite increasing, expected memory care prices in Naperville ($4,853) are lower than Decatur's 2024 estimate.Â
| Location | 2022 Cost (Historical) | 2023 Cost (Current) | 2024 Cost (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | $5,017 | $5,539 | $5,976 |
| U.S. Average | $4,863 | $5,369 | $5,792 |
| Illinois | $5,328 | $5,790 | $6,382 |
| Peoria | $5,676 | $6,267 | $6,761 |
| Joliet | $5,440 | $6,006 | $6,479 |
| Naperville | $4,074 | $4,498 | $4,853 |
Decatur has several senior living options. Older individuals should think about their support requirements, lifestyle and finances when choosing the most appropriate care type. Factors such as amenities, services and programs cause price variations between care types. At present, memory care costs an average of $5,539 per month, which is more than assisted living ($5,040) and independent living ($3,231).Â
Assisted Living
$5,040
Memory Care
$5,539
Independent Living
$3,231
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in Illinois page.
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:
For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Illinois page.
There are many resources in Decatur,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.
Decatur seniors wishing to remain in their own homes can find financial assistance from several local resources. These programs and organizations help retirees cover the cost of services such as home care, property modifications and utilities.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Care Coordination - Macon County | 217-423-6550 | The Macon County Health Department provides those who qualify with Comprehensive Care Coordination, a community program geared toward further supporting the independence of Decatur seniors. Unique, personalized care plans are developed for seniors during in-home assessments, and regular follow-up appointments are made to track progress. Residents must be 60 years old or more and reside in Macon County to receive support. |
Local organizations help ensure elderly citizens have a balanced diet and receive essential vitamins and minerals to remain healthy. Through nutrition programs, congregate meals, home-delivered meals and food pantries, these programs help Decatur seniors afford the nutritious food they need.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Meals on Wheels - Macon County | 217-422-6611 | Volunteers from Meals on Wheels deliver nutritious food to homebound seniors in the Decatur area five days a week between the hours of 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Special care is taken to prepare meals that are suitable for those suffering from heart health issues and diabetes. Meals on Wheels will accommodate special diets such as renal or low lactose as well. To qualify for assistance, Macon county residents must be at least 60 years of age and homebound. Some disabled residents under the age of 60 may also be eligible, granted they are receiving care through the department of rehabilitation services. Individuals are encouraged to contact Meals on Wheels over the phone to make a referral Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. |
Senior centers in Decatur bring together residents through recreational activities and events. Many also offer advice and support on senior issues, run wellness and nutrition programs, and connect older adults with other resources in the local area.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic Charities Diocese of Springfield in Illinois | 217-428-3458 | Decatur Catholic Charities provides a wide array of local services for seniors. It operates a food pantry and clothes closet, both of which are open to the public on weekday mornings, and its dental voucher program is available to low-income adults who need tooth extractions and oral surgery services. It has a MedAssist program that aids individuals in obtaining free and low-cost prescription medications. It is also a Senior Health Insurance Program site, providing seniors with the information they need to make educated decisions about signing up for Medicare or Medicare Advantage. |
| Empowerment Opportunity Center Senior Services | 217-428-4148 | The Empowerment Opportunity Center provides resources to seniors living in Decatur which include hot meals served five days a week at their Senior Center, Neti's Place. Those 60 and older are provided an entree, side dish and drink for a suggested donation of $7. Low-cost transportation is also available through the Empowerment Opportunity Center to medical appointments, for a suggested donation of $5. |
Senior engagement resources and programs in Decatur help older adults remain active and ensure they contribute to the community. Resources include wellness programs, volunteer opportunities, support groups and organizations that help residents connect with the community to live fulfilling lives.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Faith in Action | 217-428-0013 | Faith in Action is a program run by the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois with the mission to help homebound elderly residents in the Tri-City area remain safely at home. Volunteers provide a series of services including transportation, errand running, yard maintenance, friendship and meal preparation. |
| Decatur Memory Cafe | 630-440-6573 | Conveniently located at Life Builders Church of God, this monthly meeting offers seniors living with memory loss a morning filled with fun and socialization. Each meeting focuses on something different, from educational sessions to sharing stories, sing-alongs, mind-enriching exercises, arts and crafts. Memory cafes are safe, welcoming places for older adults to interact and get their thoughts into the open. Caregivers are also welcome to attend. |
| RSVP Volunteer Program - Macon County | 217-428-6616 | RSVP helps able-bodied seniors actively support their communities by assisting in a range of programs. These can include delivering books and meals to housebound seniors and the disabled, mentoring others in areas where the volunteer has some knowledge and working in clothing rooms and gift shops. The program matches volunteers to the right services, with the volunteers having control over the amount of time they gift to RSVP. |
Social Security offices in Decatur help seniors and disabled people access the benefits they're entitled to. Older adults can contact their local office for information about receiving retirement benefits, disability allowance and Supplemental Security Income.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur Social Security Office 62526 | 800-772-1213 | Social Security is a source of income available to retirees and people who can no longer work because of a disability. The money for Social Security comes from a payroll tax levied on employers, employees and self-employed individuals. When you retire, you'll receive monthly payments based on how much you earned when you were working. |
Low-income seniors who are struggling to meet the costs of maintaining their homes can find support from organizations that offer assistance with utility and energy bills. Decatur retirees could also qualify for emergency funding programs if they're in danger of losing utility services due to unpaid invoices.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - Decatur | 217-428-2193 | The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households keep vital utilities operational, even when they don't have the funds to pay their bills. It provides payments for heating during winter months and occasionally for other home energy services at other times of the year. It may also provide funding for water and wastewater bills, when necessary. |
Decatur retirees who have served in the U.S. military can find support from local veteran services. These offices and organizations help vets access the benefits they're eligible for and provide advice and information on a variety of issues.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur VA Clinic | 217-362-5442 | This clinic provides a variety of primary care services for senior veterans. Family or individual counseling is offered while behavioral health programs such as QuitSmart Smoking Cessation aim to help veterans live life to the fullest. The clinic is completely wheelchair-accessible and parking is free. Decatur VA Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 7:45 am to 4:15 pm. For convenience, most recurring prescriptions can be processed by mail or online. |
| Veteran's Assistance Department - Macon County | 217-424-1376 | Committed to providing aid and assistance to all local senior veterans and their loved ones, the Veteran Assistance Department provides counsel and help applying for benefits such as pensions and survivors benefits. VAD also offers transportation to the VA Hospital in Hines. |
Decatur-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Illinois are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Illinois page for more information about these laws.
Memory Care
granny50
5
Review of Randall Residence of Decatur
My parents were previous residents at Randall Residence. This community is clean, friendly and everyone who lives there is very well taken care of. The staff genuinely cares for them, and their...
Memory Care
Terri
5
Review of Lincolnshire Place Decatur
My mom chose Lincolnshire Place Decatur. They're doing a nice job with her. They keep the place very orderly and it's a nice place compared to a lot of places I've seen. The staff is very friendly...
Memory Care
David
3
Review of Carriage Crossing of Decatur
Carriage Crossing of Decatur was more of a hotel setting and not a care setting. I didn't think it was a friendly setting. The staff who accommodated me were trying to sell the place, so they're...
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