Rockford is a city in northern Illinois that is known for its numerous sites of historical and cultural significance. The city has a population of 145,609, and about 16.7% of residents are aged 65 and older. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020, the average monthly cost of nursing home care in Rockford is $5,825, which is significantly less than the national average of $7,756. Seniors living in Rockford have easy access to healthcare services at Mercy Health Hospital Javon Bea, which is rated as high-performing in two procedures by USN. 

Nursing home care provides a high level of medical care and assistance for seniors who are very frail or are suffering from a chronic illness. This type of care is provided by registered nurses, and it is often the most expensive option for long-term senior care. Seniors living in Rockford who don’t require such a high level of care may want to look at alternative care options such as assisted living and home care services

This guide provides information on the average monthly costs of nursing home care in Rockford and nearby cities, as well as the average costs of alternative care options. 

Directory of Nursing Homes in Rockford, IL

Wesley Willows

My dad is in Wesley Willows. They are very supportive of people moving in and helping the family get everything all lined up and settled on a very timely basis. The problem we’re having is, that once … (read more)
My dad is in Wesley Willows. They are very supportive of people moving in and helping the family get everything all lined up and settled on a very timely basis. The problem we’re having is, that once … (read more)

Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center

My mother has been a resident of Fairhaven in Rockford for 3 months now. She’s in hospice now because she’s gone downhill. She really went down during her stay at another facility so it wasn’t Fairhav … (read more)
My mother has been a resident of Fairhaven in Rockford for 3 months now. She’s in hospice now because she’s gone downhill. She really went down during her stay at another facility so it wasn’t Fairhav … (read more)

River Bluff Nursing Home

River Bluff Nursing Home is a very good institution. It meets all the requirements and codes. My wife is taking part in activities a little bit more than she did. She is having some difficulty walking … (read more)
River Bluff Nursing Home is a very good institution. It meets all the requirements and codes. My wife is taking part in activities a little bit more than she did. She is having some difficulty walking … (read more)

P A Peterson at the Citadel

The rooms are falling apart and smell of strong urine. The grounds look close to the same. Nursing staff swears in front of and around residents. Bathing is rarely done and complained about when reque … (read more)
The rooms are falling apart and smell of strong urine. The grounds look close to the same. Nursing staff swears in front of and around residents. Bathing is rarely done and complained about when reque … (read more)

Alden Debes

Staff was outstanding! Got totally rehabilitaded! Thanks for everything
Staff was outstanding! Got totally rehabilitaded! Thanks for everything

Alden Park Strathmoor

My mom is at Alden Park Strathmoor. The care has been good. The people seem like they care a lot for her, and they know what they’re doing. It’s also a Catholic home, so I feel like that brings my mom … (read more)
My mom is at Alden Park Strathmoor. The care has been good. The people seem like they care a lot for her, and they know what they’re doing. It’s also a Catholic home, so I feel like that brings my mom … (read more)

Rosewood Care Center of Rockford

I went to River Crossing of Rockford. They are under new management, they’re under a total rehab, they have private rooms, unlike any other one we went to that did not have private rooms. It cost more … (read more)
I went to River Crossing of Rockford. They are under new management, they’re under a total rehab, they have private rooms, unlike any other one we went to that did not have private rooms. It cost more … (read more)

Generations Healthcare Network

This place is crawling with roaches and mice. The nurses scream at the patients and the cnas are more concerned with their cell phones than actually taking care of the residents. The staff is rude and … (read more)
This place is crawling with roaches and mice. The nurses scream at the patients and the cnas are more concerned with their cell phones than actually taking care of the residents. The staff is rude and … (read more)

Alpine Fireside Health Center

Staff will alienate families so they have control, and will force residents to sign paperwork they do not know what they are signing due to poor vision/hearing. Food is tolerable, but residents did … (read more)
Staff will alienate families so they have control, and will force residents to sign paperwork they do not know what they are signing due to poor vision/hearing. Food is tolerable, but residents did … (read more)

Rock River Health Care

My father was at Asta Care Center. The staff was great. His room was spacious and clean. He even was allowed to bring his own big-screened TV and everything. He is a little diabetic, so he doesn’t wan … (read more)
My father was at Asta Care Center. The staff was great. His room was spacious and clean. He even was allowed to bring his own big-screened TV and everything. He is a little diabetic, so he doesn’t wan … (read more)



East Bank Center

My parents used to be residents of East Bank Center. They were both there and they forgot to give my mom her thyroid medication and so she went way downhill. That place was awful. I had to call the nu … (read more)
My parents used to be residents of East Bank Center. They were both there and they forgot to give my mom her thyroid medication and so she went way downhill. That place was awful. I had to call the nu … (read more)

Nursing Home Costs in Rockford, Illinois

The average monthly cost of nursing home care in Rockford is $5,825 for a semiprivate room and $8,144 for a private room. 

The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nearby Cities

Seniors who are looking at nursing home care in Rockford may be interested in knowing how the average monthly cost of care in the city relates to care costs in nearby cities. Using the average monthly cost of a semiprivate room as a price comparison point, the cost of care in Rockford is lower than the national average of $7,756 and the Illinois state average of $6,235.

The average monthly costs of nursing home care in Chicago ($8,076), Peoria ($6,737), Kankakee ($6,540) and Bloomington ($6,996) are all higher than in Rockford.

$5825

Rockford

$6235

Illinois

$7756

The United States

$8076

Chicago

$6737

Peoria

$6540

Kankakee

$6996

Bloomington

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Those who are still undecided regarding nursing home care may be interested in the costs of alternative care options in Rockford. The lowest cost option is adult day care which has an average monthly cost of $1,647, and assisted living is a popular option with a monthly average cost of $5,113. Home care and home health care services have an average monthly cost of $4,872 and $5,039, respectively. Nursing home care is the costliest option at a monthly average charge of $5,825 for a semiprivate room and $8,144 for a private room. 

$1647

Adult day care

$5113

Assisted living

$4872

Home care

$5039

Home health care

$5825

Nursing home semiprivate

$8144

Nursing home private

Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Rockford, Illinois

Many seniors and their families use some form of financial assistance to help them pay for nursing care. The main options available are Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits. These programs can be complicated, especially when it comes to benefit terms. Below, we give a brief overview of how these programs may be used towards paying for skilled nursing care.

  • Medicare: Medicare will typically cover all skilled nursing costs for the first 20 days of one’s stay in a nursing home and a portion of the costs until day 100. After 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will not cover any part of the cost of the stay. While this is adequate when short-term care is needed, those in need of long-term care will need to either pay out-of-pocket or use another source of financial assistance.
  • Medicaid: Medicaid covers most of the costs of living in a skilled nursing facility for those who qualify. Care, room, and board are covered with no time limit, but residents may be charged for extras like specially prepared food or cosmetic services. Medicaid eligibility standards are strict and complex, so not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid benefits.
  • Veterans Benefits: Veterans receiving a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit administered by the VA. Aid and Attendance is a monthly allowance that beneficiaries may use to pay for their long-term care, including skilled nursing care.

If these options aren’t available to you, check if your loved one has long-term care insurance or contact your Area Agency on Aging to ask about any local financial assistance programs for seniors.

Free Resources for Seniors in Rockford, Illinois

The resources provided below may be of interest to seniors who are looking for services that can assist them in staying safely in their own homes for as long as possible. One resource looks at information assistance for those who have decided to move to a nursing home care facility and are looking at financial options. 

ResourceContactService
Nutrition Program(815) 226-4901The Northwestern Illinois Area on Agency provides a free nutrition program to seniors aged 60 and over in the area. Those seniors who are physically able to leave their homes can enjoy a meal and socialization at one of the congregate meal sites in the city of Rockford. Volunteer drivers deliver meals to homebound seniors on a daily basis from Monday to Friday. Each meal provides a third of the daily nutritional requirements of an adult. The volunteers are able to check on the welfare of seniors as they deliver the meals to seniors and can report any issues they may find to the relevant authorities. 
SHIP(815) 963-1609Lifescape is a non-profit organization that runs the SHIP program in Rockford. The program aims to provide free and unbiased information on state health insurance plans to seniors and their caregivers. Staff members provided one-on-one assistance to help seniors reduce their daily medical expenses by helping them to apply for benefit programs they are eligible for. The counselors can also explain the financial assistance options available to seniors who have decided to move to a long-term nursing care facility.
Transportation(815) 963-1609The Lifescape Transportation program provides personal and group door-to-door transport options to seniors in Rockford. Transport is provided to medical appointments, grocery stores, community activities and beauty appointments. A caseworker is assigned to each senior to ensure that their personal transport requirements are met and to help them book rides with the service. There is no charge for the service, but donations are suggested for those who can afford to assist the program. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rockford a safe place to live?

The crime rate, which is used as an indicator of how safe a particular area is, in Rockford is 386, which is above the national average of 323.

What is the traffic like in Rockford?

There is low traffic congestion with an above average crash rate of 9.

How much is housing in Rockford?

At $854, the average cost of housing in Rockford is below the nationwide average of $1,442

Does Rockford have a good job market?

Rockford offers a poor job market for older adults. There are typically less than 1 job available per worker and the rate of income inequality in the area is 0.45.

Is Rockford an accessible place to live without a vehicle?

In Rockford, 95.8% of public transportation stations and vehicles are ADA-accessible. Which is above the national average of 78.28%. On average, there are 0 local transit vehicles per hour. This is less than the national average of 8.

Does Rockford have good health care options?

Patient satisfaction, which is a key indicator of the quality of health care in an area, averages 71% in Rockford – this is lower the national average patient satisfaction. Additionally, there are 75 primary care physicians for every 100,000 people, which is less the national average of 82.

Is Rockford a good place to retire?

According to Caring.com’s 2022 Senior Living Report which graded 300 cities using 46 metrics across 5 categories, Rockford ranked in the top of the pack. It’s overall rank was 81st, and it scored the best in Affordability, while it’s lowest score was for Health Care.

Does Rockford have fun activities for retirees?

In Rockford, the number of parks is less than the national average. Additionally, the number of cultural, arts, and entertainment options is below the average.