Illinois memory care facilities and Alzheimer's care options

Finding Alzheimer's Care Homes in Illinois

Memory care units in Illinois, which can also go by the terms dementia care, Alzheimer’s care, or special care units, are facilities that are specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals with forms of dementia. They typically include specially trained staff that constantly monitors residents to prevent wandering and ensure each patient's safety.

Alzheimer's Care Homes in Illinois - Cost Comparison

Location	Monthly Minimum	Monthly Maximum
Chicago	$1,550	$7,500
Naperville	$3,180	$6,500
Rockford	$2,278	$5,000

*Average monthly cost for single occupancy room in a memory care community

Recreation and Attractions in Illinois

Many of the most popular attractions in Illinois are centered in Chicago. The city contains various opportunities to visit museums, parks, and theaters among several other entertainment possibilities. The Art Institute of Chicago, Cloud Gate, Wrigley Field, and the Chicago Theater are all popular options. Illinois also borders lake Michigan.

Illinois' Climate, Geography, and Culture

The climate in Illinois is considered continental with cold winters and warm summers. There are also temperature, humidity, cloud, and wind direction fluctuations. For the winter, average highs are in the mid-30s and lows around 20 degrees. For the summer, highs average around 87 degrees and lows in the 60s. There are considerable differences between the weather in the northern and southern regions of Illinois because Lake Michigan influences the weather in the north. The south receives considerably more precipitation throughout the year, but the north gets significantly more snow. The precipitation comes often as storms, and they sometimes result in tornados.

The culture in Illinois is very similar to most other Midwest states where the residents are typically considered polite, friendly, and avoid confrontation. While Chicago is a large city and contains approximately a quarter of Illinois’s population, there are other large cities throughout the state as well. English is the official language, but there are growing numbers of Spanish speakers, especially in the Chicagoland area.

Illinois' Memory Care Home Regulations and Laws

In Illinois, Alzheimer’s care facilities must ensure that there is enough staffing to work with the resident population and support their needs. Staff must also make sure that the memory care community residents are kept safe from wandering, provided cognitive stimulation, and necessary communication is coordinated. One member of the staff is required to be on duty throughout the entire day at all times. Before staff may work with dementia patients, they must go through training that covers everything from basic information about Alzheimer’s to communication techniques. The number of hours of training required depends directly on the level of dementia resident contact.

Crime & Safety in Illinois

Illinois is ranked 29^th in overall safety according to 2016’s the Safest States to Live In.

Below are a few of the safest cities in Illinois:

Location	Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents	Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Campton Hills	.18	3.18
Winfield	0	4.39
Hawthorn Woods	0	2.92

Payment and Costs for Memory Care in Illinois

Medicare, private long-term insurance, and out of pocket payments are the typical methods that dementia care is paid for in Illinois. A Medicaid home and community-based service waiver, Illinois’ Supportive Living Program, is able to serve up to 11,500 people every year. The average monthly cost of memory care is $5,359.

Senior and Elderly Rights for Memory Care in Illinois

In Illinois, patients have the right to be informed regarding their health status. They should also be involved in the plan for care and treatment. The patient’s privacy should be respected as much as possible. Refusal of treatment is permitted and you must inform the patient about the consequences of the decision. The patient of an Alzheimer’s care community has the right to appoint a health care representative to make decisions for them if they do not have the capacity to do so themselves.

Illinois Memory Care: Medical Record Rules and Regulations

In Illinois, medical records should be provided with 30 days of the request being received. A personal representative should also be able to have access to medical records, especially if the patient is part of a memory care community and does not have the cognitive ability to understand the information.