Memory Care in Chicago

Guide to Chicago Memory Care

103 Memory Care facilities are located in the city of Chicago, Illinois and can accommodate the needs of your Loved One. Depending on their care needs, Memory Care in Chicago has facilities that provide daily nutritional meals, bathing, grooming, dressing, medication management and more.

Memory Care in Chicago can offer Seniors with amenities and conveniences in any of the 103 large or small facilities. Some examples would be furnished rooms, family dining rooms, activity rooms, wellness programs, beauty salons, spa and swimming pools and saunas. If Chicago residents need to go out, staff can take them to doctor appointments, religious services, outings to the park, movie theaters, shopping malls, and more.

When Do Seniors need Memory Care?

Seniors in Chicago will typically need Memory Care in Chicago when it is unsafe to live by themselves at home or they need assistance with their ADLs (Activities of Daily Living). Residents living in Memory Care in Chicago can either be independent, need Memory Care or can be diagnosed with Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.

Types of Facilities in Chicago

The size of Memory Care in Chicago facilities can vary from small, residential care homes to large “resort-style” Memory Care communities. 

Depending on the size of the 103 facilities in Chicago, services and amenities can differ. Large communities can offer a broader range of amenities due to its size and staff while the smaller, residential care homes offer a more intimate, home-like atmosphere. 

Residential Care Homes in Chicago

Memory Care in Chicago offers Residential Care Homes located are regular homes in the neighborhood that have been converted to care for 6 to 10 senior residents. These “home-feel” Memory Care in Chicago homes are licensed by Illinois’s State Licensing Division and permitted by the city of Chicago.

Memory Care residents in Chicago residential care homes prefer a “home-like” intimate setting that they are used to at home. While there are many residential care homes that provide activities, pet and music therapy, fitness programs and more. Typically, the residents prefer to be with a smaller group of seniors.

With Memory Care in Chicago smaller facility sizes and lower number of residents, the Caregiver-to-Resident Ratio in a Chicago residential care home is 1 Caregiver for every 2 to 3 residents.

Large Communities in Chicago

Memory Care in Chicago’s Large Communities will look like a large resort or hotel with 50 to 200 residents. These Memory Care in Chicago care facilities will usually be located in commercial areas and are also regulated by Illinois’s State Licensing Department. These large senior living facilities can also have a secure Memory Wing that can keep residents suffering from Alzheimer’s safe from wandering.

Some nationally recognized Memory Care in Chicago Communities are familiar names like Sunrise Senior Living, Brookdale Senior Living, Enlivant Senior Living, Atria Senior Living, Pacifica Senior Living, Belmont Village Senior Living, Senior Lifestyle, SRG Senior Living, MBK Senior Living, Oakmont Senior Living & Memory Care, Holiday Retirement, and Five Star Senior Living to name a few.

Seniors living in Large Memory Care Communities in Chicago will typically prefer these types of Facilities due to the daily schedule of activities, higher levels of socialization with other residents, chef prepared meals, music and pet therapy, music and art classes, fitness classes and regular outings.

Due to the large size of the Memory Care facility and larger number of residents, the typical Caregiver-to-Resident Ratio for Memory Care in Chicago can range from 1 Caregiver for every 6 to 12 Residents in these types of facilities.

Chicago Memory Care Costs

The average cost of Chicago Memory Care is $4,500 per month (source: Genworth Financial). Whether your loved one prefers Chicago Memory Care residential care homes or large Memory Care communities, the lowest cost care and rent starts at $3,000 and can go as high as $7,500 depending on the level of care needs. To find out what factors play a part of the monthly costs of Memory Care, Click Here.

Paying for Care

Paying for Chicago Memory Care can be done through a variety of ways. Most residents and families in Chicago pay for care out of pocket or also called “Private Pay.” Other methods of paying for Chicago Memory Care through Long Term Care Insurance, Veterans Aid and Attendance. 

Unfortunately, Medicare or Medicaid does not cover the costs of Memory Care care and rent in Chicago. For more details and options on how you can pay for Chicago Memory Care, Click Here.

Making Care Affordable

Veterans Aid and Attendance

Veterans Aid and Attendance for Chicago Memory Care is an important program offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This program provides supplementary benefits to veterans, their spouses, and surviving family members. The VA Aid and Attendance program in Chicago helps those who have served our country access necessary medical care and assistance with activities of daily living.

In order to qualify for these additional funds, a person must meet certain financial, medical, and service requirements. The amount of the benefit for Chicago Memory Care depends on individual circumstances such as income level and other factors.

If you or a loved one may qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance program in Chicago, it’s important to reach out to organizations like American Veterans Aid or VeteranAid.org that can provide additional information about this benefit and help you complete the application process.

At times when our nation’s veterans need extra support, programs like VA Aid and Attendance for Chicago make sure they get the help they deserve. Our brave service men and women have given so much for this country; it’s time we protect and take care of them too.

Assisted Living Waiver

An Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) is a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver that provides ChicagoAssisted Living services to elderly or disabled individuals who require assistance with personal care and household tasks.The ALW program pays for the costs of care in Chicago Assisted Living facilities for eligible people with Medicaid, allowing them to remain in their community as an alternative to residing in a licensed health care facility. 

Depending on the state, services provided in Chicago under the ALW program may include help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring from bed to chair and back again, medication management, housekeeping, laundry services and more.

Medicare or Medicaid

Medicare does not pay for long-term care (Memory Care or Memory Care) in Chicago. Medicare does, however, pay for those in hospital or nursing homes for stays usually up to 90 days. 

You can learn more by going to Medicare.gov or Medicaid.gov for more information.

Low Income Housing

Cost of senior living in Chicago can be out of reach for a lot of families. It can start as low as $2,500 per month and go higher than $10,000 per month depending on the level of care and location.  

If senior living seems out of reach for your or your loved one in Chicago, contact your State’s Department of Aging or Human Services for affordable care options. They will be able to help you or point you in the right direction. 

Finding Top Chicago Memory Care

As someone who is looking for a new Memory Care facility for themselves or their loved one, the task can seem daunting. But with the right approach, you can find the perfect fit in no time. Here are some tips on how to find an Memory Care home that meets your needs:

• Determine what type of care is needed – It’s important to determine exactly what kind of services and level of care is required before considering an Memory Care facility. This will help narrow down the list of potential facilities.
• Research each option thoroughly – Read reviews from current and former residents. Take the time to visit each facility in person to get a better understanding of its atmosphere and meet staff members face-to-face.
• Ask questions – Once you’ve narrowed down your options, take the time to thoroughly explore each one before making a commitment. Ask questions about services offered, safety protocols, and other concerns to ensure that the facility is up to standard.

Where Can I Get Quality Memory Care Guidance?

Since 2007, SeniorCareHomes.com provides free Senior Living in Chicago options to help seniors and families find the best-matched facilities based on budget, location and care needs. The process for finding the right care home or community can be overwhelming and daunting. SeniorCareHomes helps make the journey much easier for all of the families we’ve helped since 2007.

Contact one of our Expert Care Advisors today to get started for Senior Living in Chicago options at (877) 523-6523 x1 or Click Here to be contacted.

Chicago Memory Care Tips and Resources

Illinois Licensing for Memory Care Chicago

The 103 Memory Care Chicago Facilities are licensed, inspected and regulated by Illinois’s Department of Public Health, Division of Assisted Living. Their responsibilities are to have the administrators currently licensed, inspect the Memory Care Chicago facility before it opens, ensure the Memory Care  facility is operating up to standards and the community residents are receiving good care.

10 Signs that it’s Time for Memory Care in Chicago

Here are some signs that you can look out for observing your Loved One:

1. Mobility Issues: Having a hard time walking, limping or showing pain when they walk. 
2. Memory Problems: Not remembering important appointments or not taking their medication.
3. Help with Hygiene: Not showering, smelly clothes, bad breath, forgetting to shave.
4. Housekeeping Issues: Expired food with mold, laundry not washed or folded, bedroom and/or bathroom unclean.
5. Driving Safety Issues: Scratches and dents on the car, tires under inflated, service light alerts
6. Weight Loss: Noticeable, sudden weight loss, lack of food in the fridge or pantry
7. Old Medication: Expired medicine bottles or unfulfilled prescriptions
8. Inability to Communicate: Difficulty in communicating their feelings or emotions

Read the Full Article Here

How to Choose a Memory Care in Chicago

1. Understand Your Loved One’s Needs
2. Know Your Senior Living Options
3. Tour Multiple Memory Care Facilities
4. Ask the Right Questions when Touring
5. Be Thorough When Touring
6. Talk to the Residents
7. Try the Food in the Dining Room
8. Evaluate the Safety and Security Measures

Read the Full Article Here

Touring Checklist for Chicago

So you’re set and ready to tour Memory Care Communities or Residential Care Homes in Chicago. Here are some important questions to ask when touring:

1. Does the facility in Chicago offer personal care services and amenities that cater to my needs?
2. Is the facility located nearby for family members & loved ones to visit?
3. Is the facility located in a safe neighborhood?
4. Is the facility within my budget?
5. Is the entire facility accessible to walkers and wheelchairs?
6. Are there grab bars & non-skid floors in the bathrooms?
7. Is there a door alarm system if a resident wanders?
8. Are call buttons located throughout the facility?

Read the Full Article Here

How to Talk to a Loved One About Moving

1. Plan Ahead
2. Use Empathy
3. Be Honest
4. Listed Actively
5. Highlight the Benefits
6. Involve them in the Decision
7. Offer Support

Read the Full Article Here

How to Ease the Transition into a Facility in Chicago

1. Involve them in the process
2. Visit the Facility together
3. Personalize their Living Space
4. Encourages isolation
5. Maintain regular contact
6. Be Patient and Understanding
7. Monitor their well-being
8. Visit them as much as possible

Read the Full Article Here

Licensing and Regulation for Chicago

Memory Care is regulated by the Department of Social Services and inspected by state officials. Every state has its own policies and guidelines. If the quality standards are not met, the state will not issue a license to the facility or for existing care facilities, the license will be revoked. This helps ensure the quality of senior care services in all Memory Care facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicago Memory Care

What types of services do Senior Care Facilities in Chicago provide?

These care facilities provide Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living, Hospice Care and Memory Care in Chicago.

How many Memory Care Facilities in Chicago are there?

There are approximately 103 facilities in Chicago.

How many residents live in an Memory Care Facilities in Chicago?

In a residential care home, licensing usually allows 6 residents per home (depending on the state). In a large Memory Care facility, there may be 50 to 100 or even more than 200 residents in a community.

Is a Nursing Home (Skilled Nursing Facility) the same thing as Memory Care?

A lot of people get confused with so many terms. Usually, Nursing homes in Chicago are for patients who have serious medical conditions that will require 24-hour nursing assistance.

If your loved one needs day to day assistance like bathing, dressing, meds, toileting and grooming in a secured environment, then Memory Care in Chicago would be a better fit.

 What are the Popular Memory Care Facilities in Chicago?

The most popular Memory Care facilities are Brookdale Senior Living, Sunrise Senior Living, Atria Senior Living, Pacifica Senior Living, Enlivant and more. If they are not located in Chicago, they are usually in higher populated cities.

How much does Memory Care Facilities cost in Chicago?

Cost of care per month can start at $3,000 for Assisted Living, $5,000 for Memory Care and $2,500 for independent living in Chicago.

What determines the cost for Memory Care in Chicago?

Costs in Chicago will depend on care needs, preferences and location of the resident and assessed by the staff before time to move in. 

What is the Veterans Aid and Attendance for Long Term Care? 

The Veterans Administration (VA) offers a special pension called Aid and Attendance that helps pay for care in an assisted living, memory care or nursing home facility in Chicago. 

This VA benefit is largely unknown and often overlooked by families of veterans or surviving spouses of veterans who need financial assistance to help care for aging loved ones in Chicago. For more information, go to this article here

Are there Memory Care Facilities in Chicago that accept Medicaid or low income housing programs?

You can go to Medicaid.gov and request them for a list of Assisted Living or Memory Care facilities in Chicago that take Medicaid.

Does Medicare pay for Memory Care or Assisted Living?

Medicare does not pay for long-term care in Chicago. They will pay for hospital or nursing homes for stays usually up to 90 days. You can learn more at medicare.gov for more information.

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Kate A. | Senior Advocate / Care Advisor  (State Licensed Certified Administrator / Co-Founder at SeniorCareHomes.Com)

Catharine “Kate” Allado is a Certified Administrator for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) and an Expert Senior Care Advisor. Kate’s grandmother battled Alzheimer’s Disease and Kate personally understands what millions of families are going through. Kate and her team are very passionate in empowering Seniors and their families by providing them with the Best Available Senior Care Options based on Senior’s care needs, preferred location and family’s budget.