14 assisted living communities near Chicago

What is Assisted Living?

An assisted living community can be defined as any residential facility that provides 24-hour non-medical care for seniors. It can range in size from a single residence to a larger apartment or condominium complex. Such facilities provide personal care, meaning help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Other typical services include laundry and housekeeping, wellness programs, social services, planned social events and more.

Services Available in Assisted Living Communities in Chicago

Chicago's assisted living communities are closely regulated. They're required to provide transparent communication with the public about the services they provide and the conditions in their facilities. As a basic standard, an assisted living facility in Chicago must offer:

• Three daily meals prepared by local staff or an outside contractor
• Housekeeping that includes cleaning, vacuuming and dusting a resident's unit.
• Personal laundry and linen services
• Round-the-clock security that includes locked entrances or security contractors on-site
• An emergency communication system that allows residents to signal the staff for assistance at any time of day
• Personal care tailored to each resident's needs

Getting Ready to Move to Assisted Living in Chicago

It's never easy to tackle a move, short-distance or cross-country. Moving into long-term care can be even more challenging for you or your loved one, both emotionally and physically, but there are ways to reduce the stress.

• Your first step should be a community tour. Seeing a facility at work is worth reading a thousand brochures. Try to tour a community personally before committing.
• Get a preliminary examination by your doctor and the community's staff. It's best to go into a big life change knowing your needs, both mental and physical.
• Get ahead of the curve. If you start planning the move at least a month ahead of time, difficult and stressful decisions about what to throw away or how to approach the entire task can be broken down, making it much easier for everyone involved.
• Rally your friends and family. Don't be shy about asking for help, particularly if it's for heavy lifting.
• Use a senior move manager if needed. These companies are purpose-designed to help seniors move, providing support and organization.

Costs Associated with Assisted Living in Chicago

The monthly cost of assisted living in Chicago, according to the Genworth Cost of Care survey, is $4,695, putting it considerably higher than the average national monthly cost of about $3,700. However, Chicago provides a class of assisted living under Medicaid called supportive living that's designed specifically to provide quality communities for low-income aging citizens.

When you work with our Seniorly Guides to find a home to love, this is always a free service for families. The Seniorly Guide is compensated directly from the community you eventually select in Chicago.

Assisted Living vs. Other Types of Senior Care

When considering assisted living (also called shared home living in Illinois), it's important to consider it alongside other choices for long-term care in order to ensure it's the right choice.

In-home care allows seniors to remain in their homes and be visited by family or professional caregivers. It's designed for those who are active enough to be able to perform most ADLs independently, but still need some personal care and medical support.

Independent living is built around communities that satisfy the need for independence and dignity among aging citizens who don't want the burden of maintaining their own home.

Nursing homes are what the state of Illinois refers to as intermediate care. They provide care for residents who need nursing, but don't require a hospital. A doctor supervises this type of care.

Continuing care retirement communities are effectively several kinds of communities in one, combining everything from independent living through nursing home living for the convenience of residents who may need to evolve from one level of care to another as time passes.

Helpful Apps and Websites for Assisted Living in Chicago

Those considering assisted living should also think about ways to get goods and services to come to them, instead of the reverse. After all, the point is to make life easier. Fortunately, there are several solutions for this in the Chicago region. Here are three companies we’ve heard are very popular and useful:

• Smart Paws Chicago provides access to pet sitters and dog-walkers pre-screened to rigorous standards.
• Via is a ride-share app that lets you book rides and carpool at affordable rates from virtually anywhere in Chicago.
• Orunje provides on-demand urgent care house calls with flat rates for both nurses and doctors.

Resources for Caregivers in Chicago

While being a caregiver for a loved one isn't always easy, you never have to face the challenges alone. There are several caregiver support options aimed at making things easier:

• The National Alliance for Caregiving provides research, advocacy and resources for caregivers across America.
• The Caregiver Action Network offers tips, technologies, community support and resources specific to various caregiving situations.
• The Well Spouse Foundation focuses specifically on spousal caregivers and provides peer support, education and community.
• The U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs Caregiving Support Program provides peer support mentoring, a caregiver support line and a variety of other tips, tools and resources.

Government Resources for Seniors in Chicago

A number of Chicago-area organizations and offices are dedicated to helping seniors. Some of the key resources are:

• The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program provides information, support and advocacy for residents with concerns about a care facility.
• The City of Chicago's Department of Family & Support Services provides a wide range of services to those in need, including aging citizens.
• Age Options is the Area Agency on Aging of suburban Cook County.

Chicago Demographics

Chicago is the third-largest city in the U.S. It is home to nearly 3-million residents, 237 square miles of land and 77 community areas that contain more than 100 neighborhoods.

Despite a recent population decline unusual among America's metropolitan centers, Chicago remains one of the largest and most economically significant cities. Like other such cities, Chicago shows trends toward an aging population. More than 12 percent of Chicago's population is aged 65 and over.

Chicago Weather

Chicago has what's called a humid continental climate, with warm and humid summers and cold winters. The Windy City (though that nickname is not because of the weather) gets a lot of variation in rainfall from year to year. Temperatures can average as low as 18 degrees in winter (without wind chill off Lake Michigan) and as high as 81 degrees in the summer months.

Transportation in and Around Chicago

Chicago is served by two international airports, several long-haul bus lines and a pair of railway lines. It boasts the world's second-largest public transit infrastructure, serving the city and 40 surrounding communities by bus and rail. Any number of taxi, ride-sharing and car rental services are available, and the city website hosts a trip-planning app that can help locate the best options. Specific services include:

• O'Hare and Midway International Airports
• GO Airport Express for shuttle service
• Amtrak and the South Shore Line for train service
• The Chicago Transit Authority for bus and train service in the city
• The Metra Commuter Rail for connections to outlying suburbs
• CHICABSfor secure taxi ride options
• Chicago Water Taxi and Shoreline Water Taxi for connections by water to Chicago's top tourism destinations

Further information can be found here.

Fun Facts About Chicago

Chicago is one of America's most storied cities, hosting a wealth of famous neighborhoods and sights. A detailed guide to those neighborhoods can be found here. Chicago's main regions are:

• Downtown, home to the city's biggest attractions
• North Chicago, an eclectic mix of entertainments, ethnicities and cultures
• West Chicago, a Puerto Rican, Greek and Mexican melting pot
• South Chicago, rich with the African-American history and general diversity

More facts about Chicago:

• Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the last free zoos in the world. It's highly accessible and senior-friendly.
• Taste of Chicago is America's premier food festival, and admission is free.
• The Skydeck in Willis Tower is a tourist destination in the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, providing museum exhibits, theater presentations and a view of four states.