The first number most families hear from an assisted living community is the base rent. It’s rarely the number you’ll pay. Care fees, medication help and memory care add-ons can push the monthly bill well past the advertised rate. Here’s what care costs in Illinois right now and how to read a price sheet before you sign.
Illinois cost of care at a glance
These are statewide medians from the CareScout Cost of Care Survey (2025 data, released March 2026). Northwest suburban prices often run at or above the state median.
| Type of care | Illinois median |
|---|---|
| Assisted living (private one-bedroom) | about $6,050 a month ($72,645 a year) |
| Home care aide (non-medical) | about $36 an hour ($82,368 a year at 44 hours a week) |
| Adult day care | about $23,725 a year (5 days a week) |
| Nursing home, semi-private room | about $273 a day ($99,645 a year) |
| Nursing home, private room | about $303 a day ($110,595 a year) |
Source: CareScout Cost of Care Survey, Illinois, 2025 data. The survey doesn’t publish a separate memory care figure; see below.
Why memory care costs more
Memory care is usually a secured wing or building inside an assisted living community, with more staff per resident and staff trained in dementia care. Communities price it above standard assisted living. Ask each community for its memory care rate in writing, because the gap varies widely from one building to the next.
How communities build the monthly bill
Most communities use one of three pricing models. Know which one you’re looking at before comparing prices.
- All-inclusive: one monthly rate covers room, meals and care. Easiest to budget, usually the highest starting number.
- Base rent plus care levels: rent covers the apartment and meals, and a care level (often Level 1 to 4 or 5) is added after a nurse assessment. This is the most common model.
- A la carte: each service, like bathing help or medication management, is priced separately.
Most communities also charge a one-time community fee when your parent moves in. Ask what it covers and whether any part is refundable.
Questions to ask before you sign
- What is the total monthly cost for my parent today, including care level and medication help?
- What triggers a move to a higher care level, and how much notice do we get before the price changes?
- How much did rates go up each of the last three years?
- Is there a separate charge for incontinence care, escorts to meals, or diabetic care?
- If my parent's needs increase, when would you require a move to memory care or a nursing home?
- Do you accept the Illinois Supportive Living Program, VA benefits, or long-term care insurance?
Ways families pay for it
- Private savings and home sale proceeds: The most common source. If the house will be sold, plan the timing so there’s no gap in payments.
- Long-term care insurance: Check the policy’s elimination period and daily benefit, and call the insurer before the move to start the claim.
- VA Aid and Attendance: Wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities may qualify for a monthly pension add-on. See our guide to Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits.
- Illinois Supportive Living Program: Traditional Illinois Medicaid doesn’t pay for assisted living room and board, but the Supportive Living Program offers assisted-living style apartments that accept Medicaid. See our Supportive Living Program guide.
- Staying home longer: For some parents, a few hours of home care a day costs less than a move. Compare both with our Care Cost Estimator.
Next steps
Tour at least three communities, ask for the full price sheet at each, and compare the monthly total, not the base rent. If memory care is on the table, read our guide to choosing a memory care community and our assisted living topic hub.
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Cost figures are statewide medians from the CareScout Cost of Care Survey (2025 data) and vary by community. Confirm pricing and program details directly with each provider.
Editorial Review Status
Reviewed for: CareScout 2025 Illinois cost medians, assisted living and memory care pricing models, Supportive Living Program and VA options.
Elder care regulations, costs, and local provider availability change frequently. We commit to regular audits to ensure Gen X families have the most accurate data for the NW Chicago suburbs.
Disclaimer: This guide is educational only and is not legal, financial, medical, or tax advice. Confirm details with a qualified professional before making decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare pay for assisted living?
No. Medicare doesn’t cover room and board or ongoing personal care in assisted living. It still covers doctor visits, hospital care and some therapy for a parent who lives there.
Does Illinois Medicaid pay for memory care?
Traditional Illinois Medicaid doesn’t pay assisted living or memory care room and board. Some Supportive Living Program communities have dementia care settings that accept Medicaid. Nursing home care can be covered by Medicaid for people who qualify.
Why did the price go up after my parent moved in?
Most communities reassess care needs after move-in and at set intervals. If more help is needed, the care level and price rise. Ask how often reassessments happen and request the results in writing.
Is memory care cheaper than a nursing home?
Often, but not always. A nursing home provides 24-hour skilled nursing, which memory care doesn’t. Compare the total monthly cost and the level of medical care your parent needs.
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Cost figures are statewide medians from the CareScout Cost of Care Survey (2025 data) and vary by community. Confirm pricing and program details directly with each provider.