Best Assisted Living Facilities in Chicago, IL

How We Chose the Best Assisted Living in Chicago

Choosing an assisted living community is a big decision. It’s not something you should take lightly, since it could affect your happiness and well-being for the foreseeable future. We also take it very seriously, and we believe in researching assisted living communities thoroughly to provide you with the best options. Here are some of the criteria we used while researching the best assisted living communities in Chicago:

• Cost: The cost of assisted living is not the only factor we consider, but it’s one of the most important. Assisted living is usually more expensive than independent living because trained professionals are providing direct assistance to residents. We focus our attention on communities that keep prices low but still provide good value.
• Available care: Many — but not all —  assisted living communities offer multiple types of care and housing. You may find a combination of independent and assisted living, or an assisted living facility that also offers memory care or short-term rehabilitation. We try to include as many communities as possible that have the capacity to adapt to the changing needs of adults in retirement.
• Reviews: We comb through hundreds of online reviews to see what people have to say about each community. We cannot include information from every single review in our analysis, but we take common complaints and commendations into consideration.
• Amenities: Amenities are a big part of what makes assisted living communities so much more than mere facilities. Quality amenities help improve the resident experience and make you feel as though you’re staying at a high-end resort or five-star hotel. If a community offers great amenities, it has a much better chance of making our list.
• Location: Location is very important since most seniors want to go out and enjoy the city from time to time. If a community is near shopping, restaurants, or popular attractions, it may be more appealing to older adults who want to partake in regular excursions.
• Staff size: We focus on assisted living communities that offer high staff-to-resident ratios, often with a maximum of eight residents per caregiver.

How to Find the Right Assisted Living Community for You

When it comes time to find the right assisted living community, you can make the process much easier by following a few simple tips:

• Identify your needs: Do you have a family history of dementia? Are you currently struggling to prepare food on your own? Do you anticipate mobility issues in the near future? These are all questions you should ask yourself before deciding which community is right for you. Understanding your current needs and anticipating your future needs will help you find a community that can cater to your specific requirements.
• Review your budget: Some assisted living communities may not be a good fit for your budget. Prices vary from one community to another, so you’ll want to know how much you can comfortably spend before you make a decision. Medicare usually doesn’t cover assisted living, but Medicaid may be an option in Illinois if you qualify. Most seniors depend on Social Security benefits, retirement savings, long-term care insurance, or a combination of the three to pay for assisted living.
• Read reviews: Reading reviews from residents or family members who have firsthand experience is one of the best ways to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each community. Even though we consult reviews during our research, you’ll almost certainly find that reading the reviews yourself can provide additional insight.
• Visit communities: Always visit a community before moving in. Just because a community looks great on paper (or on its website) doesn’t mean it will be a great experience in real life. Whether you schedule a tour in advance or show up unannounced, try to get a feel for the day-to-day operations of the community by speaking to residents and staff.
• Check licensing and certifications: While researching a community, check that it has up-to-date licensing and certifications to operate in Illinois.
• Trust your gut: When all else fails, don’t be afraid to trust your gut! It can be nerve-wracking to decide between two or more assisted living communities you like, especially if they offer similar services. In the end, you’ll have to make a decision, and you may have to rely on your intuition to figure out which one is right for you.

What Is Living in Chicago Like for Seniors?

Chicago is a great city for seniors since it offers many interesting cultural attractions and the natural beauty of Lake Michigan. There are several factors to consider, however, especially if you’re relocating from another city. Below are a few important things to know about living in Chicago, Illinois:

• Climate: Chicago has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. The city is known for being very windy, and winter temperatures regularly dip below freezing. Some seniors may not mind the cold temperatures and strong winds, but the city may be a bit too chilly for others.
• Health care: Chicago generally has good health care, with several hospitals that rank among the best in the
• Cost of living: Life in Chicago is pretty expensive compared to many other places in the United States. The cost of living is approximately 20 percent higher than the national average, and housing is one of the biggest expenses. Since a large portion of assisted living fees go directly to room and board, high housing costs can make it more expensive for seniors to access supportive services in Chicago.
• Walkability: Many neighborhoods in Chicago are very walkable — weather permitting. Chicago is also known for its public transit system, which makes it easier for older adults to explore the city.
• Activities: Chicago has a lot for older adults to enjoy, including professional sports, public parks, museums, boating, and historical sites.
• Safety: Sadly, Chicago has a reputation for being unsafe, largely because the crime rate has been on the rise in recent Nonetheless, there are dozens of perfectly safe neighborhoods throughout the city.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Chicago, Illinois?

According to Genworth, the 2024 estimated median cost of an assisted living community in Chicago is $5,272 per month. That’s around 7.2 percent more expensive than the national median of

The price of assisted living can vary substantially based on the community you choose and the level of care you require. Costs associated with specific types of care can significantly impact the price. Memory care, for example, typically costs far more than traditional assisted living care. That said, you can find communities that offer customizable plans and starting rates that are well below the average in Chicago.