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Memory Care in Illinois

Reviewed by BoomersHub Senior Living AdvisorsUpdated

Compare communities across 306 cities and 20 counties. Illinois averages $7,774 per month for memory care — $2,710 more than the national average, and BoomersHub advisors help you shortlist, confirm pricing, and book tours for free.

Why families choose Illinois

Illinois has a four-season Midwest climate and draws retirees for Chicago-area medical access alongside quieter suburban and downstate options with lower rates. Communities cluster across Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, and Springfield, from small residential care homes to full-campus senior-living properties. This guide walks through what memory care in Illinois costs, how families pay for it, the state's licensing rules, and how to shortlist communities without doing the legwork alone.

Find the best memory care facilities in Illinois

Start with a major metro, or jump straight to your town in the A–Z directory. Every link opens that city's memory care options.

306 cities · 20 counties

Browse memory care by county

Illinois costs more than the states around it

The average cost of memory care in Illinois is $7,774 per month, above the national average of $5,064. Your actual rate depends on the city, apartment size, and level of care, which is what our advisors confirm for you before you tour.

Average monthly cost of memory care

  • National average$5,064
  • Illinois$7,774
  • Missouri$4,192
  • Indiana$5,135
  • Wisconsin$5,140
  • Iowa$5,197

State averages. Individual community rates vary by city, floor plan, and care level.

How memory care compares to other senior care

Average monthly cost in Illinois by care type. Tap any card to explore that care type across the state.

Illinois state averages. Bars are scaled to the highest cost shown.

How to pay for memory care in Illinois

Most Illinois families combine two or three of these. An advisor walks through which apply to your situation.

  • Option 1

    Private pay

    Many families pay for care with private funds: personal savings, pension payments, retirement accounts, or a combination of these and family contributions.

  • Option 2

    Selling your home

    Selling a parent's home can help finance memory care, especially once the home is no longer occupied. Proceeds often fund several years of care.

  • Option 3

    Reverse mortgage

    Homeowners aged 62+ can convert part of their home equity into cash while retaining ownership, with no loan payments due while living in the home. A spouse may remain in the home while proceeds help pay for a partner's care.

  • Option 4

    Long-term care insurance

    LTC policies typically begin paying out when the policyholder needs help with two or more activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, or eating. Check the policy's elimination period and daily benefit before counting on it.

  • Option 5

    Veteran's programs

    Veterans with at least 90 days of active duty (including one day during wartime) may qualify for VA benefits such as Aid & Attendance, which can add a monthly amount on top of a VA pension.

  • State program

    Medicaid in Illinois

    Illinois Medicaid's Veterans Administration (VA) Centers in Illinois program helps eligible lower-income seniors with memory care costs in participating communities. Waivers typically do not cover room and board.

Memory care regulations in Illinois

Every memory care community in Illinois is licensed and inspected by Illinois Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. Communities must meet standards for staffing, caregiver training, medication administration, and building safety, with managers and staff completing continuing in-service training each year.

Verify any Illinois community

Free memory care resources in Illinois

What you should know about Illinois

The Illinois median for memory care sits near the national average, driven by a competitive Chicago-metro market balanced by lower-cost downstate communities. Where a state lands depends on labour costs, cost of living, and the mix of urban vs rural communities. Your actual rate depends on the city, apartment size, and level of care — an advisor confirms current pricing for any community you're considering, free.

A Illinois expert in your corner, at no cost

Searching Illinois alone is overwhelming. Our advisors know the memory care communities, the real pricing, and the availability across Illinois, and they do the legwork for you.

  • A shortlist matched to your care needs, budget, and preferred Illinois cities
  • Confirmed pricing and availability before you ever tour
  • Tours scheduled and move-in arrangements handled with your family
(877) 409-0666
  • 326Illinois cities and counties covered on BoomersHub
  • 1,000+Families guided to the right community since 2019
  • $0Cost to you. Our service is completely free for families

Important resources about memory care

Guides written for families starting the search, from first conversations to moving day.

FAQs related to memory care

How can I get my parents into Memory Care in Illinois?

Start with an honest family conversation and a needs assessment from their physician. Tour two or three Illinois communities together, ask about care levels and pricing, then complete the community's health assessment and residency agreement. A BoomersHub advisor can shortlist communities, confirm pricing, and schedule tours for free.

What is pet-friendly Memory Care?

Pet-friendly Memory Care communities welcome residents' cats, small dogs, or other companion animals, usually with size limits, a pet deposit, and the expectation that the resident or family can care for the pet. Ask each Illinois community for its written pet policy before move-in.

What is the total number of Memory Care facilities in the US?

Over 30,000 licensed Memory Care communities across the United States, housing more than 800,000 residents (AHCA / NCAL industry data). Ranges from large resort-style campuses to small residential care homes.

Which states have the highest number of Memory Care facilities?

Large states lead the count: California, Florida, and Texas consistently rank among the top states for the number of licensed Memory Care communities.

What are the cheapest states to live in as a senior?

Southern and Midwestern states consistently rank among the most affordable for Memory Care — Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota all sit well below the national median. New England, the West Coast, and Alaska are the expensive end.

What is the average age of a Memory Care resident?

The average Memory Care resident is in their mid-80s. A typical resident needs help with 2 or 3 daily activities — bathing, dressing, medication management. Many move in after living alone became difficult rather than after a single medical event.

Can you keep pets in Memory Care facilities?

Many Illinois communities allow pets — most commonly cats and small dogs, subject to the community's pet policy. Expect size or breed limits, a pet deposit, and a check that the resident or family can handle daily pet care.

Do the total costs of Memory Care include medical care?

Usually not. The base monthly rate typically covers housing, meals, housekeeping, activities, and help with daily activities. Medical services (doctor visits, therapy, medications) are billed separately, often through Medicare or private insurance. Ask each community exactly where its rate ends and medical billing begins.

Do Memory Care communities allow visitors?

Yes. Family and friends are welcome at Illinois Memory Care communities, subject to reasonable visiting hours and sign-in policies. Many communities also host family dinners, holiday events, and overnight guest options.

Does Illinois Medicaid pay for Memory Care?

Partially. Illinois Medicaid programs (HCBS waivers) can cover personal-care services in participating Memory Care facilities for eligible lower-income seniors. Waivers do not pay for room and board, and not every community participates, so confirm before touring.

What families say about Illinois

Memory Care

Dad lives independently at Brookdale, and receives excellent support as needed. Staff are friendly and eager to help residents. Dad's wife is currently in skilled nursing and is receiving excellent care from the dedicated staff. Brookdale is a wonderful place to live.

Unknown · Brookdale Lisle · Lisle

Memory Care

Independent Living at Brookdale Northbrook has been home to my mother for over three years. I cannot express enough gratitude to the staff and facility. It is a residence that feels like a home. It is clean and tidy, but it is not sterile. They have given her a home and community that she can call her own. This has allowed her to make friends, receive excellent care and participate in social activities. Each resident is taken care of by the kind, caring, professional staff. Every member of staff knows each resident personally and cares deeply about their wellbeing. Brookdale provided excellent care to residents and staff during the COVID crisis. They reacted quickly and professionally. They maintain a low level of positivity in Covid and communicate very well with loved ones' families. They were proactive in providing my mother with the necessary services to keep her independent as she began to decline. The staff at Brookdale North, including the home health care providers, occupational therapists and nurses, as well as the director and assistant directors, provided compassionate, hands-on care that will never be forgotten. Brookdale North is a great place to be and I will continue to sing their praises whenever I can.

Unknown · Brookdale Northbrook · Northbrook

Memory Care

The staff spent a lot time explaining the facility to me on my first tour. He was very informative and answered all my questions. He was thorough, informative, and answered all my questions. He was extremely thorough and informative.

Unknown · Atria Park Of Glen Ellyn · Glen Ellyn

Memory Care

My mom was transferred from a horrible facility to Brookdale by me on Saturday. It was a pleasant experience to walk into Brookdale! My mom was treated well by all the staff and residents. She has received her first COVID vaccination, her in-house doctor has seen her, the nurse has called me to update me on her doctor visit, and they have confirmed that she will be seeing the in-house home health nurse, an OT, and a PT. It was a joy to move her there. It was a wonderful experience.

Unknown · Brookdale Orland Park · Orland Park

Memory Care

Arbor Terrace has been home for my mom since February 2021. Although my mom can sometimes be difficult, the staff is great with her. Staff are exceptional! They are great help to my mom. They use all her ingenuity to get her out of her room so she can go to other activities. Some days, I feel like mom is more out of her bedroom than she is inside it! It's a good thing. To staff of Arbor Terrace, thank you for everything you do for the residents, including my mom.

Unknown · Arbor Terrace Naperville · Naperville

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