In-Home Care in Illinois

More than 16% of Illinois’ population is aged 65 and older. With a low cost of living and tax exemptions for 401(k)s, IRAs and pension incomes, Illinois is one state where budget-conscious seniors choose to retire. Seniors will also find savings on groceries, health care, housing and utilities when comparing costs with other cities across the country. Illinois is also home to several nationally recognized hospitals, including the Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University Medical Center, both located in Chicago.

Seniors who need assistance with daily tasks and prefer to remain in their homes for as long as possible have several options for long-term care. In-home care offers nonclinical assistance, such as meal prep, companionship, grooming, bathing and housekeeping. Home health care provides skilled nursing and professional medical assistance. As of 2021, the cost of in-home care and home health care in Illinois is $5,339 per month.

This guide contains a brief overview of the cost of in-home care and other types of long-term care in Illinois. It also includes a list of resources for seniors and details about financial assistance.

In Illinois, in-home care costs an average of $5,339 per month, which is more than the national average of $4,957 per month, according to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey. Comparing the cost of in-home care in neighboring states, Indiana and Missouri seniors pay around the same costs at $4,767 per month, and Wisconsin and Iowa seniors pay an average of $5,529 monthly.

The average cost for non-medical home care varies throughout the state of Illinois, with the median monthly cost at $5,672 in Chicago. Peoria and Bloomington seniors pay an average monthly fee of $5,053, while Springfield seniors pay $5,100. Danville has one of the highest costs for in-home care in the state, at $8,818 per month, while older adults who choose to retire in Carbondale pay around $4,576.

Long-term care is often a necessity for seniors who require assistance with daily living tasks. While there are several options to choose from, long-term care is often decided on by cost and the type of services provided. Seniors who own their own homes may opt for in-home care or home health care, which both cost around $5,339 per month in Illinois. Adult day health care, which provides general care in a supervised environment only during daytime hours, is the least expensive option at $1,885 per month. Assisted living, which offers varying degrees of assistance, costs around $4,488. A semiprivate room in a nursing home costs approximately $6,266 per month. This type of long-term care provides the most supervised medical care with skilled nursing, therapy and doctors’ visits.

Because in-home care doesn’t provide any type of medical services, it isn’t covered by traditional Illinois Medicaid. Instead, there are four waiver programs that provide financial assistance to seniors who choose in-home care. These programs include the Supportive Living Program (SLP), HealthChoice Illinois, Persons Who are Elderly and Managed Long-term Service and Supports. These waivers are considered home and community-based service waiver programs that allow seniors to remain in their homes instead of being admitted into a nursing home or other institution. The waivers are for seniors with similar needs, but they each provide different services. Individuals must meet all eligibility requirements, which are typically defined by citizenship and income.

Seniors may apply for Illinois Medicaid online or through any local Department of Health Services office. Applications may also be taken over the phone by calling (800) 843-6154. To apply by mail, download the application for medical benefits and mail the completed application to the local Department of Health Services.

What Information You Will Need

• Government-issued photo ID
• Social Security card for all applicants
• Copies of health and life insurance cards
• Birth certificates or naturalization papers for immigrants
• Marriage license (for married couples)
• Proof of veteran’s benefits
• Retirement awards letters
• Proof of income for the past 30 days
• Bank statements for the past 30 days
• Proof of property ownership
• Last five years’ income tax returns

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.