How Many Memory Care Facilities Are in Illinois?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
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Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Illinois has 343 memory care facilities. While many communities throughout the state serve seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, Chicago, Aurora and the other large metropolitan areas have the most options.
Care and Amenities at Illinois’s Memory Care Facilities
Care services at Illinois’s memory care facilities usually include medication reminders, assistance with daily living activities and meal escorts. Care teams in these communities undergo specialized dementia care training, and most facilities have licensed nurses available 24/7. To help trigger memories and increase engagement, residents are typically matched with activities that require them to use their skills and incorporate their past interests. Activities that can help slow cognitive decline, such as brain games and puzzles, are also frequently offered. While every facility is secured to prevent wandering off premises, many have walking paths allowing residents to roam freely in a safe and monitored environment. Other common amenities include libraries, arts and crafts rooms and lounge areas where residents can relax and socialize.
How to Find a Memory Care Facility in Illinois
Reaching out to government organizations and searching the internet are some of the easiest ways to find a memory care facility in Illinois. The state’s Area Agencies on Aging can help families compare memory care facilities ensuring they find one appropriate for their loved one’s stage of memory loss. The A.A.A. also administers a myriad of aging-related government programs which may help families offset their spending as their loved ones transition into a care facility. When searching the internet, families can virtually tour different facilities as they check out their photos and review the services and amenities offered.