20 Assisted Living Communities in Will County, Illinois

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $4,794 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 20 Assisted Living Communities in Will County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Will County, IL

• Assisted Living: $4,794
• Nursing Home Care: $7,330
• In-home Care: $4,576
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,728

With monthly expenses nearly $800 above the state average of $4,030, Will County ($4,794) is one of the more costly areas for assisted living in Illinois, according to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study. Nearby Rockford comes close with expenses averaging $4,770 per month, while cities to the south, such as Kankakee ($3,986) and Danville ($4,200), are moderately less costly. The Champaign area is the least expensive place in this region of Illinois for assisted living, with monthly expenses of $3,578, which is more than $400 less than the state and national averages.

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available specifically for Will County, so data from the nearby Chicago area was used.

The single greatest influencing factor on the cost of senior care in Will County is the type of service. With an average monthly cost of $1,728, adult day health services are the least expensive type of care in the region, while nursing home care is over four times more costly at $7,330. Assisted living ($4,794) and in-home services ($4,576) fall toward the center of the cost spectrum, and although homemaker services and home health aide visits have identical monthly costs, actual expenses may vary depending on how many hours services are needed. Seniors should also factor in expenses related to maintaining their home when comparing the potential costs and benefits of residential versus in-home care.

Low-income state seniors may qualify for comprehensive medical benefits through Illinois Medicaid, which is commonly known as the Medical Assistance Program. Medicaid covers most essential health care needs, including physician visits, emergency room and urgent care services, and long-term residential care, such as assisted living. While there is no level-of-care requirement when applying for Medicaid for the aged, blind or disabled, the program has strict income limits. A single applicant must make no more than $1,041 monthly. For married couples with both spouses applying, the monthly income limit is $1,409. Eligibility guidelines also set an asset limit of $2,000 for single applicants, but, currently, there is no specified asset limit for married couples with both spouses applying.

For seniors who may not meet the program’s stringent eligibility requirements, the state provides multiple pathways to Medicaid eligibility. Individuals who have high medical bills but exceed the program’s income cap may benefit from the state’s medically needy pathway. Also known as the Medical Spend-down Program, this option allows individuals to spend down their income on medical bills until they fall within Medicaid limits. Expenses that may be applied toward the spend-down include physician visits, hospital stays and medical supplies. Once qualified applicants reach the spend-down, they receive a card to pay for additional medical expenses incurred that month. 

Illinois also offers Medicaid planning services. For further information on Medicaid benefits, seniors should reach out to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. An online application is available at ABE.

Seniors in need of long-term care may also benefit from several state Medicaid waivers.

Illinois Supportive Living Program

The Illinois SLP provides low-income seniors with funds to offset services such as skilled nursing, medication assistance and personal-care aides. Qualified individuals can receive these services at home or in an assisted living program as an alternative to nursing home care.

Potential applicants receive a preadmission screening to determine medical requirements. To qualify for the program, individuals must demonstrate the need for a nursing home level of care. In addition, the assessment must determine that SLP services can meet an individual’s functional requirements at home or in a community-based program. Applicants must be 65 or older, and SSI income guidelines apply, with a monthly limit of $771 for a single applicant or $1,157 for a married couple with both spouses applying. All income must be used to pay the care provider although $90 may be withheld each month as a personal allowance.

For further information or to apply, seniors may contact the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ Bureau of Long-Term Care at (217) 782-0545.

Illinois Community Care Program

For seniors who require a nursing home level of care but want to maintain their independence, the state’s Community Care program funds a range of services, including emergency alert systems, medication dispensing services and personal aides to assist with activities of daily living. Services may be delivered at home or in an assisted living setting.

The program is open to Illinois residents aged 60 or older who demonstrate a need for long-term care. Applicants may not have more than $17,500 in assets, with certain exemptions, including a car, a house and any furnishings.

Will County residents can find out more about the Community Care program and its application process by phoning the state’s Senior Help Line at (800) 252-8966.

Optional State Supplementation

Illinois SSI recipients whose financial needs exceed the benefit amount plus any additional monthly income may qualify for an extra state-funded payout through OSS. Added directly to the federal SSI payment, this stipend is designed to offset expenses associated with assisted living programs. The allowance varies based on the applicant’s specific needs, marital status and living situation. 

Will County residents who qualify for this benefit should work directly with the Social Security Administration field office in Joliet. Eligible seniors may visit the office in person or call (866) 783-7302 for more information.

VA Aid and Attendance

The federally funded VA Aid and Attendance program helps eligible wartime veterans aged 65 or over cover the cost of assisted living. To enroll in the program, veterans or their surviving spouses must have one or more of the following qualifying conditions:

• Be bedbound due to a chronic condition or disability

• Require outside aid when executing personal functions, such as bathing, dressing and feeding

• Demonstrate corrected vision of no more than 5/200 in both eyes or contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less

Supporting documents, preferably including a physician’s report detailing the qualifying condition, must accompany the application. The attending physician may also fill out the appropriate VA examination form.

Veterans receiving a disability pension cannot receive A&A funds simultaneously but may receive the higher of the two benefits. VA Housebound Program participants are not eligible for A&A. 

Interested veterans can apply in person at the nearby Chicago Regional Benefit Office or call (800) 827-1000. Staff is available to answer questions or assist with the application process.

Senior Services of Will County helps seniors maintain a healthy, independent lifestyle, offering health screenings and fall-prevention programs. The center sponsors professionally led support groups in which individuals aged 60 and over can pose questions and share thoughts on topics of concern. In addition to senior-focused programs and volunteer opportunities, Catholic Charities Aging and Disability Services has a long-term care ombudsman, who provides advocacy for residents in assisted living programs. Senior Services of Will County
251 N. Center St., Joliet, IL 60435
(815) 723-9713 Catholic Charities Aging and Disability Services
16555 Weber Rd., Crest Hill, IL 60403
(815) 723-3405

In addition to multiple American Legion and VFW posts, Will County has several resources for area vets that offer advocacy, counseling and community outreach. Local VA clinics provide veterans with primary care, behavioral health support and laboratory services.

Veterans Assistance Commission
2400 Glenwood Ave. Joliet, IL 60435
(815) 740-8389
Emergency financial assistance, advocacy

Joliet VA Clinic
1201 Eagle St., Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 740-8100
Primary care, behavioral health, lab services, prescriptions

Aurora Vet Center
750 Shoreline Dr., Ste 150, Aurora, IL 60504
(630) 585-1853
Counseling, education, community referrals

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.