Assisted Living Community in Cook County, Illinois

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $4,794 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 Assisted Living Community in Cook County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Cook County, IL

• Assisted Living: $4,794
• Nursing Home Care: $7,330
• In-home Care: $4,576
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,728

With monthly costs averaging more than $700 over both the national and state averages, Cook County is the most expensive region for assisted living in Illinois, according to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study. The county edges out nearby Rockford by only $24 a month, but other areas of the state are much less costly. To the south, Kankakee’s monthly average cost for assisted living is over $800 less at $3,986, and farther downstate, the Champaign area comes in at only $3,578. 

Note: Average assisted living costs weren’t available specifically for Cook County, so data for the geographically similar Chicago area was used.

With an average monthly cost of $7,330, nursing home care is the most expensive type of senior care in this region of Illinois. At $4,794, assisted living is nearly 35% less expensive, and in-home care is even less costly, with costs for homemaker services and home health aides both averaging $4,576 monthly. The least expensive type of senior care available in Cook County is adult day health care, which costs on average only $1,728 per month. While the discrepancy in price between residential care and in-home or day services is significant, seniors should also factor in the expenses related to staying in their own house, including rent or mortgage and other household maintenance costs since many of these expenses are included in the price of assisted living.

Also known as the Medical Assistance Program, Illinois Medicaid offers comprehensive health benefits for low-income state seniors, including long-term care services such as assisted living. While Illinois provides multiple pathways to Medicaid eligibility, basic income guidelines limit a single applicant’s monthly income to $1,041 and couples with both spouses applying to $1,409. Although singles may have no more than $2,000 in assets, there is no specified asset limit for married couples with both spouses applying. General Medicaid for the aged, blind or disabled does not include a level-of-care requirement.

For individuals incurring high medical bills who don’t meet income guidelines, the state’s Medically Needy Pathway allows seniors to spend down excess income on medical bills until they fall within Medicaid guidelines. The individual may then qualify for Medicaid for the duration of the month. Medicaid planning is also available within the state.

Seniors seeking additional information on Medicaid benefits should contact the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Eligible individuals may complete an online application at ABE.

Illinois also offers several Medicaid-related waivers for seniors in need of long-term care.

Illinois Supportive Living Program

Providing low-income seniors with an alternative to nursing home care, the Illinois SLP funds services such as personal care, skilled nursing and medication assistance, which can be delivered at home or in an assisted living program. The waiver requires individuals to demonstrate the need for a nursing home level of care, and potential applicants must undergo a preadmission screening to assess needs. To qualify, an applicant’s functional requirements must be satisfied by receiving SLP services at home or in a community program. Assisted living residents must be Medicaid-eligible with an income at or greater than the current SSI guidelines of $771 for a single applicant or $1,157 for a married couple and must use that income to pay the provider each month, except for a $90 personal allowance.

Seniors who have questions about the program or want additional information on applying should contact the Bureau of Long-Term Care at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services by phoning (217) 782-0545.

Illinois Community Care Program

The state’s Community Care program funds in-home or community-based care designed to assist seniors who require a nursing home level of care but wish to remain independent. Benefits include a medication dispenser service, emergency response systems and personal assistance with activities of daily living. 

Applicants must be legal state residents aged 60 or older and demonstrate a need for long-term care. To qualify, individuals must have assets of no more than $17,500. An individual’s home, car and furnishings are exempt from this total.

Additional information about the application process is available through the state’s Senior HelpLine at (800) 252-8966.

Optional State Supplementation

Illinois residents who receive SSI and have financial needs exceeding the amount of the benefit plus any additional monthly income may qualify for a supplement through OSS. The state-approved allowance varies depending on an individual’s needs, marital status and living situation, and the cash stipend is added directly to the federal monthly SSI payment. This funding may be applied to expenses associated with assisted living programs.

To apply for the OSS benefit, Cook County residents should work directly with the Social Security Administration at one of the county’s field offices or by calling (800) 772-1213.

VA Aid and Attendance

The federal Aid and Attendance program helps qualified veterans cover the cost of assisted living programs. Veterans or their surviving spouses must be 65 or older and meet one or more of the following requirements to qualify:

• Require help performing daily personal care activities 

• Be bedridden (except during short-term recovery from illness or injury)

• Have limited vision after corrective lenses (no more than 5/200 in both eyes)

• Have a restricted visual field of 5 degrees or less

Eligible veterans must supply a physician’s report that includes detailed information about their qualifying condition. Veterans who receive a disability pension or funding through the VA Housebound program are not eligible for Aid and Attendance funds.

The A&A program has income limits with complex guidelines for calculating countable income. Potential applicants can get help applying at one of the county’s many VA offices. For more information or to apply, veterans can visit the Chicago Regional Benefit Office or call (800) 827-1000. 

Illinois Area Agencies on Aging deliver programs, services and advocacy aimed at helping seniors maintain their independence. These agencies provide care coordination, nutritional counseling, transportation and referrals for area elders. Chicago Department of Family and Support Services
1615 W. Chicago Ave, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 744-4016 AgeOptions, Inc.
1048 Lake St, Suite 300, Oak Park, IL 60301
(708) 383-0258

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