4 Assisted Living Communities in Effingham, Illinois

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,410 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 4 Assisted Living Communities in Effingham and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Effingham, IL

• Assisted Living: $4,410
• Nursing Home Care: $5,931
• In-home Care: $3,861
• Adult Day Health Services: N/A

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care survey, Effingham’s senior residents pay an average of $4,410 per month for assisted living services. This is significantly more expensive than the state ($4,030) and national ($4,000) averages.

In the Carbondale area, assisted living comes in at only $3,475 per month, which is nearly $950 less than in Effingham. The state’s second-most affordable care is found in the Champaign area ($3,578). On the other end of the cost spectrum, seniors in the Chicago area pay $4,794 per month and Rockford ($4,770) isn’t far behind. 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Effingham, so data for the closest major city, Springfield, was used.

Senior care prices vary widely from one type of care to another. At $4,410, assisted living may seem very expensive, but nursing home care is even pricier at $5,931 per month. The higher price reflects the extensive care provided in these facilities.  In-home care may seem more affordable than assisted living at $3,861 per month. However, this price doesn’t include seniors other household expenses, such as mortgage payments, property taxes, maintenance, groceries and utilities. When these expenses are considered, home care may be more expensive than assisted living.

 

Medicaid is a health insurance program that covers low-income people, including seniors, children and pregnant women. Medicaid is available nationwide, and each state runs its own program. The Illinois Medicaid program provides coverage to nearly one-fifth of the state’s population.

Illinois Medicaid pays for many medical services, including doctor visits, hospital care, medical transportation, laboratory tests and foot care. Coverage usually starts the month a person applies, but in some cases, the program may pay for medical expenses incurred in the prior three months.

Seniors may qualify for this program if they:

• Live in Illinois
• Have U.S. citizenship or proof of immigration status
• Earn no more than $1,041 per month ($1,409 for married couples)
• Have $2,000 or less in assets ($3,000 for married couples)

People who earn too much or have too many assets may be able to qualify for coverage through the state’s Medicaid Spend-down program, which works similar to an insurance deductible. The applicant is given a spend-down figure that must be paid toward their medical bills. Once they’ve reached their spend-down amount, Medicaid coverage kicks in. Seniors approved for the Spend-down program may also qualify for the Pay-in Spend-down option. This allows them to pay their full spend-down amount directly to Healthcare and Family Services.

To apply for coverage in person, visit the DHS Family Community Resource Center located at 1550 Douglas Street in Charleston. You can also fax a paper application to (217) 345-2190 or send it by mail. 

For more information about Medicaid in Illinois, call the HFS Health Benefits hotline at (800) 226-0768.

Illinois Supportive Living Program

The Illinois Supportive Living program may help low-income seniors pay for assisted living so they avoid nursing home placement. It’s available to seniors who need a nursing home level of care but can safely live in an assisted living setting. Seniors who participate pay their own room and board, but the program pays for personal care, meals, housekeeping, recreational programming, intermittent nursing care and other assisted living services. 

Seniors must earn at least $771 per month ($1,157 for couples) to participate in this program. They can keep $90 of their income for personal needs, but the rest must be paid to the assisted living facility. 

The state maintains a database of facilities that accept SLP recipients. Interested seniors can contact one of the two participating facilities in Effingham for help arranging an assessment. Those enrolled in a Medicaid managed care organization can ask their care coordinator for a referral. 

To learn more about this program, call the Illinois DFS Bureau of Long-Term Care at (217) 782-0545.

Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled

The Illinois Department of Human Services provides cash assistance to eligible seniors through its Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled program. The benefit can be used to help pay for assisted living and other expenses. 

The amount of cash assistance a senior receives depends on their income and expenses. Seniors who don’t earn enough income to pay for basic expenses, such as rent, can receive assistance to cover the shortfall. 

Illinois seniors currently receiving SSI benefits may qualify for the program. Those who aren’t eligible for SSI due to their income or their immigration status may also qualify. 

For more information about the Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled program, call the DHS helpline at (800) 843-6154.

To apply for this assistance, seniors can complete an online application, visit the local DHS Family Community Resource Center or fax a paper application to (217) 345-2190.

VA Aid and Attendance Benefits

Veterans and survivors who receive a basic VA pension and need help paying for assisted living may qualify for VA Aid and Attendance benefits. The amount of this monthly benefit will vary based on a veteran’s income, but it may be as much as $9,042 per year.

Seniors who aren’t receiving a VA disability pension may qualify for A&A benefits if they meet at least one of these criteria:

• Are bedridden due to an illness

• Live in a nursing home

• Have limited eyesight

• Need another person’s help to perform daily living activities

To apply in person, visit the Chicago Regional Benefits office. You can also fax VA Form 21-2680 to the Pension Management center at (844) 655-1604 or mail it to:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention: Milwaukee Pension Center
P.O. Box 5192 
Janesville, WI 53547

To learn more, call the VA at (844) 698-2311.

The Midland Area Agency on Aging provides information and assistance to help seniors find local, state or federal programs and resources. It can also connect seniors with long-term care or community-based services. Midland Area Agency on Aging 
434 S. Poplar St., Centralia, IL 62801
(618) 532-1853

Eligible veterans and their survivors may visit any of the VA resources near Effingham. The VA clinic, which provides primary care services, is conveniently located within city limits. Seniors who require individual or group counseling can travel to the Vet Center in Springfield. The closest VA hospital, which has 55 acute care beds, is in Marion.

Marion VA Medical Center 
2401 W. Main St., Marion, IL 62959
(618) 997-5311

Effingham VA Clinic 
1011 Ford Ave., Effingham, IL 62401
(217) 347-7600

Springfield Vet Center 
2980 Baker Dr., Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 492-4955

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