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 $190 per day and $5,700 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.

Below is a table of memory care costs for the 20 largest cities in Illinois:

Memory care costs in Illinois typically can from $5,200 to $6,200 per month depending on the location. The highest costs are typically found in larger metropolitan areas like Chicago, Naperville, and Evanston, while smaller cities like Peoria and Decatur tend to have lower average costs. Memory care costs are generally higher in suburban areas surrounding Chicago, reflecting the overall cost of living in those regions.

Memory Care Amenities in Illinois

Memory care facilities in Illinois offer specialized services and environments designed to support individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other cognitive impairments. These facilities are equipped with unique amenities tailored to the needs of those who experience memory loss, ensuring a safe, comfortable, and enriching environment. Illinois is home to a diverse range of memory care options, with facilities that vary in size, location, and amenities, but they all share a focus on providing high-quality care and support for individuals living with memory-related conditions.

Secure and Supportive Environments

Memory care facilities in Illinois emphasize safety and security, typically featuring secure units and locked doors to prevent wandering. Many of these facilities are designed to reduce confusion and agitation, with clear signage, bright lighting, and well-defined spaces to help residents feel more at ease. Security systems, including surveillance cameras and staff monitoring, are common to ensure the safety of all residents.

Personalized Care and Services

Each resident in a memory care facility in Illinois receives personalized care tailored to their specific needs. This often includes one-on-one attention from trained staff who understand the nuances of memory-related conditions. Facilities typically offer a range of services, including assistance with daily activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, and medication management. Many facilities have a dedicated staff of caregivers who are trained in dementia care to help residents maintain their independence as long as possible.

Specialized Therapeutic Programs

Illinois memory care facilities often offer a variety of specialized programs aimed at enhancing cognitive function and promoting emotional well-being. These may include memory-enhancing exercises, art and music therapy, pet therapy, reminiscence therapy, and physical activities that focus on both mental and physical health. The goal is to engage residents in stimulating activities that can reduce agitation, improve mood, and help with memory retention.

Socialization and Engagement

Memory care amenities in Illinois also focus on fostering socialization and community engagement. Facilities often provide communal spaces where residents can participate in group activities, such as games, puzzles, and social outings. These activities help promote social interaction and can provide emotional support to individuals who might otherwise feel isolated due to their cognitive challenges. Many facilities also organize family events to involve loved ones in the care process and ensure that the residents feel supported by both staff and family members.

Comfortable Living Spaces

The design of memory care facilities in Illinois takes into account the comfort and familiarity needed by individuals with memory loss. The rooms are often designed to be cozy, private, and safe, with features such as easily accessible furniture, clear pathways, and minimal distractions. Some facilities offer semi-private or private rooms, while others provide spacious common areas for residents to relax and interact. Many memory care centers focus on creating homelike environments that reduce confusion and stress.

Nutritional Support

Memory care facilities in Illinois prioritize nutritious meals that are designed to meet the dietary needs of their residents. Many facilities offer meals that are tailored to individual preferences and health requirements, taking into account factors like allergies, special diets, and nutritional needs associated with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Residents typically have access to dining areas where they can enjoy meals in a social setting, contributing to a sense of normalcy and routine.

Health and Wellness Services

Health and wellness services are an integral part of memory care in Illinois. Many facilities provide on-site access to medical professionals, such as nurses and physicians, who specialize in dementia and Alzheimer's care. Additionally, therapy services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, are often available to help residents maintain their motor skills, improve communication abilities, and manage the physical impacts of their condition.

Respite Care for Families

In addition to long-term care, many memory care facilities in Illinois offer respite care services. This allows family caregivers to take short breaks while ensuring their loved ones continue to receive excellent care. Respite care can range from a few days to several weeks and provides families with peace of mind that their relatives are being well cared for in a safe and supportive environment.

Location and Accessibility

Memory care facilities in Illinois are located across the state, with major urban areas like Chicago, Springfield, and Peoria offering a variety of options. Rural areas also have memory care facilities, although they may be fewer in number. The facilities in larger cities tend to offer more comprehensive services and amenities due to the increased demand, but smaller towns often provide more personalized, close-knit care environments.

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.

When should someone with dementia go to memory care in Illinois?

Deciding when someone with dementia should transition to memory care in Illinois is a difficult and highly personal decision, influenced by the progression of the condition, available support, and the individual's needs. The right time to move to memory care can vary, but several key factors should be considered.

1. Safety Concerns
   As dementia progresses, individuals may experience confusion and disorientation that can lead to dangerous situations. They may forget to turn off stoves, leave doors unlocked, or wander away from home. If there is a risk of the person hurting themselves or others, memory care can provide a safe environment where staff can prevent accidents and respond to emergencies.

2. Declining Physical Health
   Dementia often accompanies other health issues, such as mobility problems or difficulty managing medication. As cognitive decline worsens, individuals may struggle with personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing, or eating. In cases where family members can no longer meet these physical and health care needs, memory care facilities offer the support required to ensure proper hygiene, nutrition, and medical attention.

3. Increased Behavioral Issues
   Dementia can cause agitation, aggression, and severe mood swings. If these behavioral changes become frequent or difficult to manage at home, memory care facilities provide skilled staff trained to handle these challenges in a calm and controlled manner. Such professionals can implement therapeutic techniques that reduce stress and prevent outbursts.

4. Caregiver Burnout
   Family caregivers often face emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion as they provide care for loved ones with dementia. If a caregiver is overwhelmed, feeling depressed, or unable to maintain their own health and well-being, it may be time to consider memory care. This transition can allow the caregiver to rest and regain strength, knowing that their loved one is receiving expert care.

5. Socialization and Stimulation Needs
   People with dementia can become isolated and experience depression from lack of interaction with others. Memory care facilities offer social activities, therapies, and stimulation that help to engage residents, slowing the cognitive decline and improving their quality of life. If the person is no longer enjoying daily activities, or if there’s a noticeable decrease in their mental and emotional engagement, it may be time to seek a more structured, supportive environment.

6. Inability to Safely Live Independently
   As dementia progresses, individuals may no longer be able to perform basic tasks like managing finances, keeping track of appointments, or following through with daily routines. When these tasks become overwhelming or when there’s a risk of them being neglected, it may indicate that the person requires 24-hour supervision and care, which memory care facilities can provide.

7. Worsening Cognitive Decline
   When dementia reaches the point where an individual is no longer able to recognize close family members, hold meaningful conversations, or make decisions about their own well-being, the need for a more intensive care environment becomes apparent. Memory care facilities are equipped with staff who are trained to handle advanced stages of dementia, offering specialized care plans tailored to the unique needs of each resident.

In Illinois, legal and financial factors also play a role in the decision. Family members should be aware of Medicaid and insurance policies that may cover memory care costs. In Illinois, Medicaid offers some coverage for memory care, but eligibility requirements must be reviewed. It's important to plan ahead to ensure that the transition to a memory care facility is seamless and adequately supported.

Security Measures in Memory Care Facilities in Illinois

Memory care facilities in Illinois, designed to provide specialized care for individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia, and other memory-related conditions, prioritize security and safety to ensure the well-being of residents. These facilities implement various security measures to address both the physical and emotional needs of individuals with cognitive impairments.

1. Physical Security Features

• Secure Entry and Exit Points: Memory care facilities typically have controlled entry and exit points to prevent wandering, which is common in individuals with dementia. These include locked doors, key card access, and security systems that restrict residents' ability to leave the facility unsupervised.
• Fenced Outdoor Areas: Many facilities provide secure outdoor spaces where residents can safely enjoy outdoor activities without the risk of wandering off. These areas are usually surrounded by high fences or enclosed environments to prevent elopement.
• Surveillance Cameras: Surveillance cameras are often installed throughout the facility, including hallways, common areas, and outdoor spaces. These cameras monitor resident activity, provide staff with real-time information, and ensure that any emergency or safety situation is promptly addressed.
• Emergency Call Systems: These systems allow residents to call for assistance in case of an emergency. Residents typically have access to call buttons or pendants that alert staff members to their location in the event they need help.

2. Staff Training and Awareness

• Specialized Caregiver Training: Staff in memory care facilities undergo extensive training on how to manage the unique challenges of residents with memory impairments. This training includes how to respond to wandering behavior, how to engage with residents who may have difficulty communicating, and techniques for managing aggression or anxiety.
• Safety Protocols and Drills: Staff members are regularly trained in emergency response protocols, including how to handle medical emergencies, fire drills, and evacuations. They are also educated on managing the psychological and emotional needs of residents, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.

3. Monitoring and Supervision

• 24-Hour Supervision: Memory care facilities provide around-the-clock monitoring to ensure that residents are always supervised, especially in case of wandering or other behaviors that may pose a risk to their safety. This continuous supervision helps reduce the risk of accidents and ensures that staff can respond quickly to any incidents.
• Personalized Care Plans: Each resident has an individualized care plan that is regularly reviewed and adjusted based on their needs. These plans outline specific safety precautions, such as medication management, supervision levels, and any behavioral considerations that require special attention.

4. Technology Integration

• Wandering Detection Systems: Some memory care facilities utilize advanced technologies like RFID tags or sensor-based systems that track the movement of residents. These systems can immediately alert staff if a resident attempts to leave the facility or enters an unauthorized area.
• Medication Management Systems: In some cases, facilities use electronic medication management systems that ensure residents are receiving the correct dosage at the right times. These systems help prevent medication errors, which could otherwise compromise resident safety.

5. Visitor and Delivery Screening

• Background Checks: To maintain a secure environment, memory care facilities in Illinois perform thorough background checks on all staff, contractors, and volunteers. This ensures that only trusted individuals are allowed to interact with residents.
• Visitor Check-in Protocols: Visitors to the facility are typically required to sign in, providing identification and a reason for their visit. This helps prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the facility and ensures that all visitors are accounted for.

6. Environmental Design

• Comfortable and Safe Interior Layout: The interior design of memory care facilities is often tailored to minimize confusion and disorientation. This includes clear signage, well-lit hallways, and secure areas where residents can relax. The facility is designed to be free of hazards like sharp corners, loose rugs, or other obstacles that could lead to falls.
• Calming and Non-threatening Decor: The use of calming colors and a comfortable environment helps reduce anxiety and agitation, which can be common among residents with dementia. A well-designed space contributes to both the physical and emotional safety of residents.

7. Compliance with Regulations

• State Regulations: Illinois state law requires memory care facilities to comply with stringent regulations regarding resident safety. These regulations cover aspects such as staffing ratios, training requirements, and specific safety protocols. Facilities are regularly inspected by the state to ensure they are meeting the standards of care and safety mandated by law.
• Accreditation and Licensing: Memory care facilities in Illinois must be licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health and comply with the state's Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Many facilities also pursue national accreditation to demonstrate their commitment to the highest standards of care and security.

8. Family and Resident Communication

• Family Involvement: Many facilities encourage open communication with family members to ensure that the care being provided aligns with the wishes of the resident and their loved ones. Regular updates on the resident’s health and safety are shared, and families are encouraged to participate in care planning.
• Resident Safety Alerts: In the event of an incident, families are usually notified immediately. This helps ensure that all parties are informed about the resident’s well-being and that necessary steps are taken to address any issues.

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.

Memory Care vs Dementia Care in Illinois

When it comes to senior care in Illinois, the terms "memory care" and "dementia care" are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings, and understanding the differences between the two is crucial for making an informed decision about the care of a loved one.

Memory Care in Illinois

Memory care is a specialized form of care designed for individuals who are experiencing significant memory loss, which is commonly due to conditions like Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Memory care units are typically offered in assisted living or nursing home facilities and are equipped with features that help individuals with memory impairments feel safe, secure, and supported.

In Illinois, memory care facilities are licensed by the Department of Public Health (IDPH) and must meet strict regulations to ensure they provide adequate care. These facilities often feature secured environments to prevent wandering, which is a common issue for individuals with memory loss. They may also provide structured routines, activities that promote cognitive function, and specialized staff trained to care for individuals with memory-related conditions.

Key components of memory care include:

• 24/7 supervision and assistance with daily activities
• Medication management
• Cognitive therapies and activities to stimulate memory
• Secure, often locked, environments to prevent wandering
• Social activities tailored to the needs of residents

Dementia Care in Illinois

Dementia care, on the other hand, refers more broadly to the care provided to individuals suffering from dementia, which is an umbrella term for a variety of cognitive impairments that can impact memory, reasoning, and behavior. Dementia care can encompass several different types of care, depending on the stage and severity of the condition, and may be provided in a memory care facility, in a nursing home, or at home.

While memory care specifically addresses memory loss, dementia care focuses on the overall management of dementia-related symptoms, which can include not only memory loss but also changes in behavior, mood, and cognitive abilities. Dementia care may include:

• Assistance with daily tasks like eating, bathing, and dressing
• Behavior management for issues like agitation or aggression
• Personalized care plans tailored to the individual’s needs
• Support for family members and caregivers
• Social and recreational activities to engage the individual

In Illinois, dementia care services are offered in various settings, from residential care facilities to home care agencies. Many facilities that offer dementia care will also provide memory care as part of their specialized services, but dementia care may extend to a wider range of conditions beyond just memory loss.

Key Differences Between Memory Care and Dementia Care

• Scope of Care: Memory care is a subset of dementia care. Memory care is specifically for individuals experiencing memory loss due to conditions like Alzheimer's, while dementia care includes a broader range of care for various types of cognitive impairments.

• Focus: Memory care focuses primarily on managing memory-related symptoms, whereas dementia care encompasses a more holistic approach to managing a variety of dementia-related symptoms such as behavioral changes, mood swings, and cognitive decline.

• Facility Environment: Both memory care and dementia care may be offered in similar environments, such as residential facilities or nursing homes. However, memory care facilities tend to be more specialized, with secured areas to prevent wandering and other measures to ensure safety. Dementia care can be provided in a wider variety of settings, including in-home care.

• Level of Care: Memory care often caters to individuals in the middle stages of cognitive decline, while dementia care can be provided to individuals in the early to late stages of dementia, depending on their specific needs.

Regulations in Illinois

Both memory care and dementia care services in Illinois are regulated to ensure that they meet specific standards. Facilities must adhere to state and federal regulations that govern care for seniors, including requirements for staff training, safety, medication management, and healthcare services.

In Illinois, memory care units and dementia care providers are subject to inspections by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to ensure they meet these standards. In addition to these state regulations, facilities may also seek accreditation from national organizations such as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), which ensures that the care provided meets high standards.

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