5 Assisted Living Communities in Coles County, Illinois

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $4,046 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 5 Assisted Living Communities in Coles County and several in surrounding areas.

• Assisted living: $4,046
• Nursing home semiprivate room: $6,144
• In-home care: $3,623
• Adult day health services: $1,435

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, the monthly cost of assisted living in Coles County ($4,046) is slightly above the state ($4,030) and national ($4,000) averages. Compared to other areas in central Illinois, the monthly cost of assisted living in Coles County is more expensive than Champaign ($3,578), but slightly less expensive than Springfield ($4,410) and Bloomington ($4,650). Illinois’ largest city, Chicago, comes in with the highest cost for assisted living in the state at $4,794 per month.

Note: Coles County includes the cities of Charleston and Mattoon, and the villages of Ashmore, Humboldt, Lerna and Oakland in Illinois. Senior care cost data wasn’t available for these cities, so data for the closest city, Decatur, was used.

The cost of senior care can vary greatly depending on the level of care required. In Coles County, adult day care services ($1,435) are almost a third of the cost of assisted living. In contrast, nursing home care (the most skilled) is $2,098 more per month than assisted living. With in-home care, monthly homemaker services ($3,623) appear to be less expensive than assisted living; however, it’s important to consider any additional expenses related with continuing to live at home. For example, in-home care doesn’t include the expenses of a home’s upkeep, including rent/mortgage, utilities or groceries. The monthly cost of assisted living typically includes these expenses.  Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

•  Assisted living: $4,046

• Homemaker services: $3,623

• Home health aide: $4,195

• Adult day health: $1,435

• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $6,144

Illinois Medicaid provides medical assistance for low-income residents, including those who are disabled, blind or 65 years of age and older. The primary services funded through Medicaid are doctor visits, hospital care and long-term nursing home care. However, financial support may also be available to help pay for some assisted living services with the HCBS Medicaid waiver called the Supportive Living Program (SLP), listed below.

To qualify for medical assistance through Illinois Medicaid, participants must be a permanent resident of Illinois and a U.S. citizen, national or qualifying alien who meets financial eligibility criteria. The maximum income level per year is $16,643 for an individual and $22,411 for a couple. For more information on applying for Illinois Medicaid, call the Health Benefits hotline at (800) 843-6154 or visit the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services online.

In Illinois, the Supportive Living Program (SLP) can help seniors pay for care services in some assisted living communities. To qualify, participants must be financially eligible for Medicaid and found through an assessment to be in need of nursing home level of care. Individuals must also be willing to move to an approved Supportive Living Program facility.

Services covered by the Supportive Living waiver are determined on a case-by-case basis but may include personal care, medication administration, meals and snacks, housekeeping services, recreational activities and transportation. It does not pay for room and board.

While there is an enrollment cap for this Medicaid waiver, the state does offer a large number of slots, and many more approved Supportive Living residences are being built throughout Illinois. To learn more or apply, contact the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Bureau of Long Term Care at (844) 528-8444.

Assisted Living Bridge Loan

Seniors who are not eligible for Medicaid or find themselves on a wait-list for a waiver, may qualify for an Elderlife bridge loan to temporarily help with the costs of assisted living. These loans are designed to serve as a “bridge” for periods of up to 12 months (though sometimes longer) until more permanent financial resources can be secured. There are many situations when a bridge loan can be helpful, including when seniors are waiting for veterans benefits or a home to sell. Bridge loans are also a viable alternative to reverse mortgages.

An Elderlife bridge loan works the same way as a credit card. A line of credit is approved for a total amount, and the borrower may draw on the funds as needed. In general, the interest rate for an Elderlife bridge loan may be higher than a home equity loan but lower than a credit card or personal loan. Some assisted living facilities may also offer to pay the interest on the loan as an incentive to choose their community. In this situation, seniors can borrow money at no cost.

To qualify for Elderlife’s bridge loan, a fairly strong credit score or multiple co-borrowers is required. Because this is a short-term solution, the lender will also want to know the anticipated source of permanent funding. For additional information on assisted living bridge loans, contact Elderlife Financial Services at (888) 228-4500.

There are many organizations throughout Coles County offering support to seniors, their families and caregivers. These local agencies are dedicated to enhancing the lives of older Americans through education, advocacy and community-based service programs. Coles County Council on Aging
11021 E. Co. Rd. 800N, Charleston, IL  61920
(217) 639-5150 East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging
1003 Maple Hill Rd., Bloomington, Illinois 61704
(800) 888-4456

These organizations are dedicated to providing support services for veterans and their families in Coles County. The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs service office can help navigate the many benefits and programs available to veterans. The Veterans Support Coalition is a local nonprofit that coordinates community support for veterans and their families in times of personal, physical or financial need.

Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Service Office
1550 Douglas Ave., Suite 1, Charleston, IL
(217) 345-2192

Veterans Support Coalition Coles County
P.O. Box 171, Mattoon, IL 61938
(312) 834-7318

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.