Assisted Living Facilities In Illinois

An assisted living (AL) facility can be one of the best living arrangements for aging seniors. These types of facilities offer a wide range of services, including help with completing activities of daily living, or ADLs.

Seniors who have mobility issues, mild memory issues, or need extra help with their ADLs can greatly benefit from assisted living in Illinois. If your senior has issues such as a chronic medical condition, a terminal condition, or needs 24/7 medical monitoring, nursing care may be a better option than senior assisted living.

In this article, we’ll help answer the most important questions about residential assisted living in Illinois. These questions include:

  • What is an assisted living facility?
  • How will my aging loved one continue their social life in an AL facility?
  • How do I pay for assisted living services in Illinois?

What Is Assisted Living for Seniors?

Assisted living homes specialize in helping senior citizens transition into more dependent living. As our loved ones age, they can begin to have issues with memory, forgetting to take their medication or even feed themselves properly.

Senior assisted living facilities in Illinois offer various services for aging loved ones in a safe environment. These services include:

  • Meal preparation to help your loved one follow dietary restrictions and ensure they are maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Mobility services to help seniors move around their community or inside their living area.
  • Transportation services to guide your seniors to their doctor’s appointments.
  • Medication management to ensure a senior takes all their proper medications on time.
  • Personal hygiene services to help senior citizens remain clean and prevent ulcers, athlete’s foot, lice, skin infections, and other diseases caused by personal hygiene issues.

What Services Are Provided in Assisted Living Communities in Illinois?

Services at an AL facility in Illinois will vary based on the cost, the level of independence of your senior, and the assisted living facility itself. Some services you might find in an assisted living home in Illinois include:

  • laundry service
  • catered meals
  • dry cleaning
  • transportation services
  • medication management
  • medical monitoring and wellness checks
  • amenities like spas or gyms
  • daily exercise groups
  • emergency medical care

What Social Opportunities Are Provided at Assisted Living Facilities in Illinois?

Assisted living homes provide various opportunities for social interaction. Studies have shown that social interaction can help improve cognitive functioning in people with Alzheimer’s and slow the spread of this disease. As such, AL homes should provide a number of social activities for their residents, which can include:

  • outdoor trips such as camping
  • events such as trips to the museum, zoo, etc.
  • poker or other game nights
  • movie nights
  • worship services
  • group meditation classes
  • group exercise classes
  • support groups for pre-existing substance use or alcohol use disorders

All of these activities can be safe if monitored by nursing staff and can prove to be a valuable resource to help older aged individuals improve their cognitive functioning.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Illinois

Assisted living costs will vary depending on the area of Illinois your loved one is in. However, residential assisted living is generally lower in Illinois than in the rest of the country. AL homes in the United States cost an average of $4,500 a month.

In Illinois, the average cost of assisted living is around $4,488 a month according to the Genworth 2021 survey conducted to deduce prices for senior assisted living in all states. The Carbondale area had the lowest AL facility prices at $3,525. One of the highest costs of living in the state for AL facilities is in the Bloomington area at $5,160 a month.

How to Talk to a Loved One about Residential Assisted Living

You should never force your loved ones into moving into a senior assisted living home. Instead, sit down and speak with them in a loving and caring manner. Talk to them about how you feel about their safety. Some factors you can include in your conversation include:

  • the risks of living alone
  • the benefits of having 24/7 nursing staff on-hand
  • how assisted living communities are different than nursing homes
  • how an assisted living facility can help them complete their ADLs
  • options for paying for assisted living homes in Illinois
  • any advice their doctor has given you about their living situation

Paying for Assisted Living in Illinois

There are various options for financial assistance available to you and your aging loved one in Illinois.

Other options to help pay for AL homes include VA benefits, SSI, cash payment options, and selling your loved one’s home.

When Is the Best Time for Assisted Living?

The best time to enroll your loved one in an assisted living facility is when:

  • they can no longer care for themselves
  • you fear for their safety
  • your medical provider has told you this is a good option

Talk to your loved ones about living arrangements, and decide as a family if senior assisted living in Illinois can be possible.

Find An Assisted Living Facility in Illinois

If you want to find the best assisted living home in Illinois, you need to do thorough research online and in person.

To get started with research, browse our selection of high-quality assisted senior living facilities in Illinois. Contact the facilities directly to book a tour, ask questions about the cost, and get your loved one paired with the right facility.

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Written by: Aging with Care Editorial Staff

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