Illinois Memory Care Facilities

Illinois offers some of the most affordable senior living costs in the United States, but it may seem like a different story when it comes to memory care, as our research has concluded that it is one of the more expensive states. Illinois' memory care communities may be a bit pricier, still, they do not sacrifice the quality of services they give their residents, the amenities made available in the communities, and the regularity of maintenance.

Another driving factor in the relatively high cost of dementia care is the availability of qualified professionals in most facilities. The management of Illinois memory care homes ensures that their staff members are well-trained and well-compensated. Ensuring that both residents and employees are happy makes a more harmonious environment—the very kind of environment that every person living with Alzheimer's needs.

Cost of Memory Care Facilities in Illinois

Illinois memory care communities cost on average $170 per day and $5,100 per month. The national average is $160 per day, or $4,800 per month, making Illinois just slightly more expensive than what you would pay elsewhere, particularly in the rest of the Midwest.

The rates are primarily driven up by Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. The third-largest metropolitan area in the United States often has prices higher than the national average, where it is not uncommon to find dementia care homes for more than $200 per day. The highest-rated dementia care facilities in Chicago often range between $220 to $290 per day in price. Some affordable Alzheimer's and dementia care homes are available in the Chicago area as well.

However, if the big city is not for you, there are various mid-size to small communities that charge a fraction of Chicago's price. Some Illinois memory care facilities can get as affordable as $100 per day, with many inexpensive rooms priced between $120 and $150 per day.

Making the Move to a Dementia Care Home in Illinois

Last year, there were about 5.8 million people in the United States diagnosed with Alzheimer’s; the most common form of dementia or the gradual loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and thinking abilities that disrupts their way of life. This disease affects people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities.

Currently, a large portion of the 5.8 million living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia choose to live away or with family members. But in recent years, more and more people have been moving into memory care communities in Illinois and other states. The gradual shift in living arrangement preferences may be attributed to the improvements in services and the aid to support dementia care in the short-run and long-term.

Choosing to move to an Alzheimer's care home in Illinois is a big step mentally, emotionally, and financially. Although you, as family, can be the primary caregiver for a person with dementia, there comes a point where you have to relinquish that position to someone you know can give your loved one the best care they need.

Alzheimer's is very manageable during the earlier stages as people who live with the disease can do simple tasks while just seeming to be forgetful or dazed. But as dementia worsens, these individuals can and will undergo behavioral changes. An example is when people who are usually particular about how they present themselves will suddenly let go of personal hygiene. This change in behavior may be the result of them forgetting how simple tasks are done, or they might have forgotten if they really accomplished the task.

Aside from forgetting basic activities and misremembering facts, confusion and disorientation are concerns that people with Alzheimer's will feel. Being confused and disoriented can be more than a simple misunderstanding or a forgotten key in the fridge. When left alone, a person suffering from the disease may choose to go for a short drive only to forget their destination or even their starting point. What if they forget how to drive while they are on the highway? Alzheimer's and dementia are not just about forgetting facts; it is a disruptive memory loss that, at this point, can be a risk to the life and safety of a loved one.

Forgetting can also have an impact on a loved one's health. There are instances when a person living with dementia needs to eat regularly at a certain time or take medication to control other health conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure levels. But as they slowly forget their daily tasks and how to go about them, they may slowly forget to eat, drink, and take their medications. All of these have serious consequences that can cause a sharp decline in their health.

Alzheimer's damages more parts of the brain with time, eventually taking away a person's ability to move and control some bodily function. During these latter stages, people are often bedridden or have issues with incontinence. This also means that they would need constant care and attention.

As the disease progress and the care they need increases, you, as the primary caregiver, have to reassess your capabilities and check how caring for your family member can also affect your life.

• Are you still able to find a balance between caregiving and your other duties?
• Are you still able to connect with family and friends?
• Are you still able to take care of your own physical and emotional needs?
• Are you still patient and calm when caring for your family member?
• Are you still able to keep up with the amount of care demanded by your family member's condition?

If you either respond 'no' or find yourself making excuses rather than saying 'yes' outright, looking for a memory care community in Illinois may be the best next course of action for you and your loved one. This is not to say that you have become a bad caregiver. You are just being presented an opportunity to provide better care, although you are not directly doing the caring. Remember that caring for someone also means allowing them to have the right care, even though it means asking for help from professionals.

How Does Assisted Living Compare to Memory Care in Illinois?

One of the options that can help people care for their loved ones is getting residential care through an assisted living home. These facilities offer housing, meals, support services, and other ancillary services to their residents. Occasionally, these facilities may also host social events to either encourage socialization among residents or promote a healthy lifestyle.

The lack of federal regulation on assisted living communities leaves room for inconsistencies in amenities availability, care quality, facility maintenance, staff training, and community management. This also means that not all assisted living homes in Illinois have memory care special units or trained caregivers to address memory care residents' special needs.

Dementia care homes are established to address the gap in memory care services. These facilities provide housing, meals, and support services, much like an assisted living institution. However, unlike assisted living homes, Illinois memory care facilities can provide behavioral health services, dementia care treatment, individual and group therapies, supervision, as well as directed care, supervisory care and ancillary services.

Depending on the accommodation arrangements and fund sources, an Illinois memory care establishment may fall under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Public Health or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. These departments are responsible for registering, licensing, and monitoring dementia care homes all over the state. They may conduct scheduled or surprise reviews of a facility to ensure that residents receive high-quality care in a well-maintained, well-staffed, secure, and peaceful environment.

Requirements for Admission in an Illinois Memory Care Community

An Illinois Alzheimer's care facility is required to present its admission requirements to ensure that the facility's scope of care and services provided can address a resident's unique care needs.

Any Illinois resident requiring special care due to disabilities, be it physical or developmental, who is at least 22 years old is eligible for admission in a memory care home if the establishment can meet their specific care needs.

However, any person who cannot direct their care, requires two or more people to assist in their daily living activities, and those who are unable to evacuate with even partial assistance are ineligible for admission. People who need daily healthcare services from a licensed medical professional may also be barred from admission. Lastly, those who are deemed as a threat to themselves and other residents may not be admitted.

Despite these requirements and restrictions regarding admissions, some Illinois memory care community might give considerations on a case to case basis. Hence, it is best to get in touch or pay a visit with the institution of your choice.

Choosing an Alzheimer's Care Home in Illinois

Given the good reputation that the state has with seniors, there are many memory care facilities in Illinois. Although all of these establishments pass the regulating body's scrutinizing eyes, you still have to find the right place that your loved one can call their new home. That is why during your visit to the memory care facility, you may want to ask the management and those in-charge these questions:

• May the family be involved in the care planning and actual care of their loved one?
• How are changes in a loved one's health condition and care requirements communicated to the family?
• Is the family encouraged to get in touch with the care providers for updates and other inquiries?
• Are the appropriate care services available for a loved one's condition?
• Are there physicians and registered nurses in the community?
• When do licensed medical professionals visit?
• Are there trained and qualified staff members who can give the right memory care?
• What are the process and policies on hospital and emergency room visits?
• What are the fall rate and the resident to staff ratio?
• Do the living areas have enough room so residents can move freely?
• Are residents allowed to bring personal belongings with them?
• Are the living spaces, bathrooms, and other areas of the facilities accessible and age-appropriate?
• Is the facility easy to navigate?
• Are there enough indoor and outdoor spaces to promote a healthy lifestyle?
• What are the activities that the institution organizes for its residents?
• When can the family their loved ones?
• What are the visitation policies and procedures?
• Can the facility accommodate special dietary needs and restrictions?
• What are the policies and procedures for resident discharging?
• Does the facility allow continuing care and aging in place?

Illinois Memory Care Home Amenities

Illinois Alzheimer's and dementia care facilities are known for providing a great number of amenities. The features include standard amenities like daily meal servings, housekeeping, regularly scheduled programs, group exercise, special guest speakers and activities, and much more.

Skilled staff members are specially trained to deal with residents suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's, whether the unit is a branch of an extended assisted living or nursing home, or the facility is completely dedicated to dementia care.

Staff break the care into three primary categories:

• Personal care
• Personal productivity
• Personal leisure

Personal care can include help with everything from getting in and out of bed, dressed, personal hygiene and other daily functions to help with self-esteem and personal appearance.

Meanwhile, personal productivity in Illinois memory care communities involves group participation and social interaction in scheduled activities to help with brain awareness and activity. Visitation hours are offered to include friends and family interaction.

Lastly, senior living should be all about personal leisure. While residents with Alzheimer's or dementia, unfortunately, suffer from an awful disease, it shouldn't prevent them from enjoying life. Rooms should be spotless, and every other part of the Alzheimer's care home should be clean. Leisure activities like doing puzzles, playing games, trying new hobbies, walking, reading and more should be encouraged.

There are days that residents with Alzheimer's or dementia may feel less inclined to interact or participate in activities. However, those that try to keep their brain active are more equipped for long-term success in a community dedicated to the treatment of dementia and Alzheimer's.

Programs to Help Pay for Illinois Memory Care

Alzheimer's and dementia care facilities in Illinois are some of the best in the country, but their rates are not pocket friendly. Although they are among the more reasonably priced facilities in the Midwest, it is understandable that you would need a bit of a financial boost or assistance to manage funding your loved one’s care, short term or long term. That is why you might want to consider the following state and non-state programs.

HealthChoice Illinois

Eligibility: Any Medicaid-eligible Illinois resident is eligible for this program. However, they must meet the financial restrictions that the state has put in place. This restriction includes a $1,041 gross income per month and a $2,000 limit on a person's countable assets.

Illinois Supportive Living Program

Eligibility: Eligible people for this program include Illinois residents who are over 65 years old or those with disabilities requiring care. They also satisfy Medicaid financial limits and guidelines on monthly income and countable assets. They must also be residing in an approved facility and require assistance with at least two daily living activities.

National Family Caregiver Support Program

Eligibility: There are no set criteria for a caregiver's eligibility for this program. However, the local area's Agency on Aging may give priority to an applicant with lower incomes. Other factors include the age of care recipient, the status of their health, their geographical area, and their veteran’s status.

Aside from these programs, you may also want to look into veterans’ benefits, life insurance, long-term care insurance, and reverse mortgages as additional sources of assistance.

Additional Resources on Dementia and Illinois Memory Care

Regardless if you are a person who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's or you are a primary caregiver to someone who has the disease, here are sources that may you understand the disease, the treatments, and other aspects of Alzheimer's and dementia.

• Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter
• Regional Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Centers