51 Assisted Living Communities in Chicago, Illinois

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,794 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 51 Assisted Living Communities in Chicago and several in surrounding areas.

Assisted living: $4,794
Nursing home semiprivate room: $7,330
In-home care: $4,576
Adult day health services: $1,728

Assisted Living Facilities near Chicago, Illinois

Compare Costs, Photos, & Reviews of All Your Options Near Chicago

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Reviews of Assisted Living Facilities in Chicago

Gwendolyn

1.0

February 15, 2021

I am a friend or relative of a current/past residentReview of Symphony 87th Street

My aunt and uncle are at Symphony Rehab/Nursing Home (Symphony 87th Street). With the virus, I haven't been able to see and check the place out. When I tried to give a visit on the computer, it never happened. I did an outdoor visit and with the virus going on, they only let you visit for 30 minutes, and that was a short visit. I feel like if I have to visit with both of them, each one of them should get 30 minutes, but instead it's 15 minutes a person. I didn't like it at all. My first impression of the facility was that it was clean. The young lady that is taking care of my aunt and uncle is very professional, but you don't have the same person all the time. As far as activities, when I talk to my aunt and uncle, they don't have any programs right now because of the virus. They don't do anything. They only provide very small servings of food. My aunt and uncle complain about being hungry. They're not professional at all. When you call them, you never get through on the phone. They hang up on you. I cannot get a Zoom visit, too. They don't know anything. It's like the blind leading the blind; the whole team doesn't know what the other hand is doing. There is no communication. They need to improve on everything. I think all of them need to be able to have some type of training. They should have professional people answering the call.

Kimberly

2.0

December 6, 2020

I am a friend or relative of a current/past residentReview of Symphony 87th Street

My dad's therapy at Symphony is fine with the rest of the care. They need to improve on the general patient care. Also the food, I know that the food in these facilities is not good, however, it should be warm and it should not be cold on a regular basis. The attentiveness of the general staff I think, needs to improve. I don't know if it's because they have so many, but they need to be attentive. I really can't give anything about the upkeep because I have not been inside the facility past the door to bring my dad something.

4.0

February 27, 2020

I visited this facilityReview of Senior Suites of Chatham

I visited someone at the Senior Suites of Chatham. I liked the washer and dryer on every floor near the elevator. The rooms were nice sized, and they had a lot of activities. They had an exercise area and a large open area in the back where the meals were served. They also had dancing and board games. The place was in very good condition, very well kept up and maintained.

Steph

3.0

May 28, 2019

I visited this facilityReview of Senior Suites of South Shore

Senior Suites of South Shore is a multiple story building. The people were extremely friendly and tried their best to accommodate me. They showed me the rooms, the activity center, the nurses' station, the cafeteria, the lunchroom where they make the trays, and the laundry facility. The floors weren't very clean, and I can't put my mother in that atmosphere even though they accept respite care, and they were going to allow me only one week unlike the others. The apartments were more like studios, and they were very small.

Derek

5.0

March 16, 2019

I visited this facilityReview of The Breakers at Edgewater Beach

The Breakers at Edgewater Beach is the one I'd really like to stay at. Without question, the interior and the atmosphere is very posh and I was very impressed. The place was attractive, alluring and comfortable. The staff that gave me the introduction of the place, particularly the manager of the organization there, was unbelievably magnetic. I just can't afford to stay at that particular location, but it was wonderful. I got the impression that their activities and amenities are very attractive for their residents there. They have community meetings, they have a bus to go to different attractions like shopping or museums, and they have the transportations for that. They also have workshops, a swimming pool, and all the attractions necessary to keep one happy.

Derek

4.0

March 16, 2019

I visited this facilityReview of Senior Suites of South Shore

I visited Senior Suites of South Shore, it's an independent living and self-serving. It was in a nicer location, and they had studio apartments and 1-bedroom apartments. It looked like a very modest establishment. They're very clean and the staff seems attentive. But it's not the type of place where they're serving food. I'm interested in this community, but I don't have the income to be able to afford enough for that. They took me upstairs to look at the studio, and it was very lovely. When I talked to the manager, I told her that I'm paranoid of rodents and insects crawling in the apartment. She said that if they have any of those, those would be something very miniscule, but that's something I could not tolerate. The residents have their committee meetings and things like that. The apartments have air-conditioning. Other than that I haven't noticed any other type of amenity. When I mentioned my finances, she said that there's a way that seniors can get around that, and I think that's another amenity that I need. The community looked very clean to me. The staff who gave me the tour was a wonderful person. She called me and said that Caring.com had listed my name, so we made an appointment and I went there. She met me at the front door and showed me around, she's a very pleasant lady. And I was very pleased with the presentation.

Shirley

4.0

March 2, 2019

I visited this facilityReview of Senior Suites of Auburn Gresham

Senior Suites of Auburn Gresham was a nice place, it was just too expensive for my income. They gave me a tour of the rooms, it was nice and very clean. It was mostly modern. The refrigerator was really small but other than that it was fine. They had an exercise room on the lower floor and they had laundry facilities.

Carolyn

5.0

January 2, 2019

I visited this facilityReview of Senior Suites of Marquette Village

Senior Suites of Marquette Village's rooms were big enough for one person. The bedrooms were so small, though, and I didn't like it. They played cards and did different dances, but nobody wanted to go to crafts, so they don't have that anymore. It's a very good senior apartment if you want a small apartment. It was too small for me, and I felt closed in, but it had everything you needed. They had a community room where you could go and watch TV and read. They also had a laundry room. The lady who showed me around was very nice and informative.

Larry

4.0

December 10, 2018

I visited this facilityReview of Autumn Green at Wright Campus

Autumn Green at Wright Campus was a really nice and big campus. I liked the place, but it was out of my price range. The staff member who toured me around was professional, gave me all the needed information and showed me around the campus, which I thought was a unique facility. It looked brand new to me, and they were redecorating a little bit.

Map of Chicago, Illinois

Assisted Living Costs in Chicago

The average monthly cost of assisted living in Chicago is $4,794, which is significantly higher than the Illinois average of $4,030. It’s also much more expensive than the nationwide average of $4,000 per month. While Chicago offers the most expensive assisted living care in the state, Rockford is nearly as costly at $4,770. Other major metropolitan areas in Illinois are much more affordable than Chicago, including Peoria ($3,750), Decatur ($4,046) and Danville ($4,200).

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

Chicago

$4,794

National average

$4,000

State average

$4,030

Bloomington

$4,650

Danville

$4,200

Decatur

$4,046

Peoria

$3,750

Rockford

$4,770

Springfield

$4,410

Care Cost Comparison

The average cost of senior care in Chicago varies greatly based on the type of care a senior needs. Seniors who need nursing home care pay, on average, over $2,500 more per month than those who need assisted living care. At $4,576 per month, homemaker services and home health aides are similarly priced to assisted living care. However, homeowners who opt for these in-home services should remember to consider the other costs that come with staying at home, such as rent and utilities. Adult day health care, the most inexpensive type of senior care in Chicago, costs about one-third the price of assisted living care. Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

Assisted living: $4,794

Homemaker services: $4,576

Home health aide: $4,576

Adult day health: $1,728

Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $7,330

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

Assisted living

$4,794

Homemaker services

$4,576

Home health aide

$4,576

Adult day health

$1,728

Nursing home care (semiprivate room)

$7,330

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Chicago

Medicaid in Illinois

Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program that provides health coverage to many groups of eligible Americans, including low-income adults, pregnant women, people with disabilities and senior citizens. Each state runs its own Medicaid program, so the services that are covered by Medicaid will vary depending on a senior’s location. Iowa Medicaid covers a wide variety of health care services, including emergency services, doctor visits, vision care, physical therapy and medical equipment.

Seniors in Chicago may be eligible for Illinois Medicaid if they are U.S. nationals, U.S. citizens or permanent residents. They must also meet the state’s financial requirements. Single seniors may be eligible for Medicaid if they have an annual pretax income of less than $16,643. For couples, the income limit is $22,411 per year.

To apply for Medicaid coverage, seniors can visit Illinois’ Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) website. They can also apply over the phone by calling the ABE Customer Call Center at (800) 843-6154.

Seniors who earn more than the state’s income limits for Medicaid coverage but have high medical bills may qualify for coverage through the Illinois Medicaid Spend-Down program. Seniors pay for their own medical bills until they reach their spend-down amount; when they reach it, they become eligible for Medicaid coverage. Seniors who are enrolled in this program may also be permitted to pay their spend-down amount directly to Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). The spend-down amount is determined based on a senior’s income and assets. To learn more about this program, seniors can call the HFS Health Benefits Hotline at (800) 226-0768.

Seniors who need help paying for assisted living care in Chicago may be eligible for the Illinois Supportive Living Program (SLP). This Medicaid waiver program doesn’t cover the costs of room and board in assisted living facilities, but it may help seniors pay for the personal care services they receive in these facilities. The services that are covered by this waiver include intermittent nursing care, personal care, medication monitoring, housekeeping and laundry.

This program is an entitlement, and it’s open to anyone who meets the eligibility requirements. To be eligible for this waiver program, seniors must have a medical need for a nursing facility level of care. Medical need is determined based on a preadmission screening. Seniors’ income is required to be no less than the maximum allowable amount of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This amount is currently $771 for a single senior and $1,157 for a couple. In addition, seniors who are currently participating in any other waiver programs are not eligible for the SLP.

To apply for coverage through SLP or to learn more about the waiver program, seniors can contact the Department of Healthcare and Family Services at (217) 782-0545.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Optional State Supplement

Seniors who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and live in an assisted living facility may be eligible to receive additional funding from the state of Illinois. This optional state supplement (OSS) is an additional payment on top of the senior’s existing SSI benefit. The amount of this benefit in Illinois is, according to the Social Security Administration, “based on state-approved allowances given for individual needs.”

To receive the OSS, seniors must be eligible to receive SSI payments. Seniors may be eligible for SSI if they are 65 years and older and have a limited income and limited resources. Because a senior’s SSI benefit is determined by subtracting their countable income from the monthly maximum SSI payment ($750), seniors with more than $750 in countable income will not be eligible. Countable income includes many types of earned and unearned income, such as wages and Social Security benefits, but does not include need-based assistance from the government or other excluded income sources. Seniors must also have limited resources to be eligible. The resource limit for single seniors is $2,000, and for couples, it’s $3,000. Resources include the value of some assets, including cash and stocks.

Seniors who have questions about the OSS program or who want to apply can visit any of Chicago’s 12 Social Security offices. They can also phone the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

Assisted Living Bridge Loans

Seniors who are in need of short-term funding for assisted living costs may be able to receive a bridge loan. These loans may be a good option for seniors who are waiting to receive long-term funding from benefits or the sale of their home. Bridge loans are usually offered as a line of credit, and seniors can choose how much to withdraw each month. However, seniors who require a lump sum may be eligible for an amortizing loan.

Seniors can apply for a bridge loan by filling out an online application with Elderlife Financial. Funding is often available quickly for seniors who are approved. The funds are sent directly to the assisted living facility where the senior resides.

Assisted Living Resources in Chicago

Senior Centers

There are six regional senior centers located throughout Chicago, as well as 10 satellite senior centers. Seniors can visit their closest senior center to participate in scheduled activities, such as outings, life enrichment classes and fitness and wellness programs. For more information on these centers, call (312) 744-4016.

Area Agency on Aging

The city’s Senior Services Division acts as its Area Agency on Aging. This department provides information and resources to seniors. Local seniors can contact the AAA to learn about benefits and services that are available to them. The AAA also has resources for caregivers, including legal assistance. Family & Support Services, Senior Services Division
1615 W Chicago Ave, 5th Fl, Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 743-0300

Veterans Affairs

Chicago is home to several resources for veterans and survivors. Seniors can contact the VA office to learn more about benefits and supports available to them. Eligible veterans may be able to receive medical treatment from the city’s VA hospital or VA clinics.

Chicago Office of Veterans Affairs
2102 W Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 743-0720

Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
820 S Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 569-8387

Auburn Gresham Clinic
7731 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 962-3700

Lakeside Clinic
211 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 469-4850