There comes a time in many of our lives when we realize our loved ones need more help than we can give. We want them to live happy, fulfilling lives, and those senior care moments when we understand that changes are necessary can be scary.
For me, it was my grandmother’s gradual, then fast, descent into Alzheimer’s disease. You want to take care of them personally, to protect them, but, in many cases, they may need a higher level of specialized senior care that you may not be able to provide.
But there are many reasons your loved one may need extra care, from physical or mental rehabilitation after a medical procedure or accident, to helping with errands or transportation, to in-home companion care, to early stages of dementia, to the added care that comes with natural aging.
No matter your situation, it can be absolutely overwhelming. Where do you even start, right?
Your family doctor is the best place to start. If you do not have a regular doctor, or yours has moved or retired, many of the resources in this article can help you search for the help you need right in your area.
If you need to start the search for an assisted living or nursing home facility, there are plenty of services ready to help walk you through the process and find the best place for your loved ones to continue to live happy, healthy lives.
If you need financial assistance or additional local resources, such as home-delivered meals, transportation, or support groups to help you or your loved one cope with your needs, this Senior Care Guide has you covered, too!
No matter your situation, you are not alone. Many organizations are here to help you.
Local Senior Care Resources Near You
THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION
The Alzheimer’s Association is a global leader in dementia resources and in the fight to end all dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. They have many local chapters across the world, including some ready to help you right here in Illinois.
For questions or assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you can always call The Alzheimer’s Association toll free at 1-800-272-3900.
To learn more about all the Help & Support the Alzheimer’s Association has to offer, Click Here.
To learn the 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s, Click Here.
To learn about the Stages & Behaviors of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, Click Here.
For resources on How to Plan for Your Future or the Future of a Loved One, Click Here.
For resources for Caregiver Support and Well-Being for those who care for others, Click Here.
To find a local or virtual Support Group near you to support your emotional and mental health, both if you are fighting a dementia yourself or you are a family member or friend of someone affected, Click Here.
The Alzheimer’s Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Click Here to Donate to the cause to fight for an end to Alzheimer’s and other dementias today.
CARING.COM
Caring.com was founded in 2007 to help as many seniors and their caregivers as possible through empathetic, expert guidance. They have helped millions of seniors and families select the right senior care products and services for their loved ones while also saving time and money.
Their comprehensive website enables you to use their built-in search tools to find the right senior living community, at-home care options, and all the resources available for your specific situation and budget needs. You can even read reviews written by actual people who have experience with the living communities and resources in your area.
The Caring.com Caregiving Resources Center offers expert-written articles on topics such as wills and estate planning, Medicare benefits, getting paid to take care of a family member, elder attorney law, financial assistance, a caregiver’s guide to coping with stress and burnout, and many, many more topics.
Caring.com has so many great resources available that we can only cover a few here. Please visit the links below and browse their website to learn much more.
If you would like to talk to one of Caring.com’s Family Advisors to discuss your loved one’s specific needs, you can call them toll-free at 1-800-973-1540. Their representatives are ready to listen to you and will ask specific questions to find the right resources for your situation.
To begin your search for Senior Care facilities and Caregiving Resources, Click Here. You can even search for resources near you by zip code, city, or state.
To find Assisted Living options near you, Click Here.
To find In-Home Care options near you, Click Here.
To find Memory Care options near you, Click Here.
To find Nursing Home options near you, Click Here.
To find Hospice Care options near you, Click Here.
To browse Caring.com’s Caregiving Resource Center with hundreds of expert-written articles to help you learn more about care options, Click Here.
If you are a Caregiver and need help and support with Caregiver Stress and Burnout, Click Here.
Caring.com is a for-profit company, but their expert help is free for you. Their revenue comes from referrals to senior care communities, home care agencies, providers of senior care and health insurance products/services, online advertisements, affiliate links, strategic partnerships, and other sponsorships. To learn more about how they keep their services free for you, Click Here.
THE CITY OF CHICAGO
The City of Chicago offers a variety of Senior Care support services to address the diverse needs and interests of older adults, from those who are active and healthy, to those residing in long-term care facilities, and seniors who are fragile and may be confined to home.
You can call the Chicago Senior Services Hotline, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 312-744-4016.
You can email Chicago Senior Services at Aging@CityofChicago.org or find more information and contact them on their Facebook page at Facebook.com/ChiSeniorServices.
To access the City of Chicago’s Senior Family and Support Services, Click Here.
To learn more about Chicago Assisted Living Information, Click Here.
Click Here to find out if you or your loved ones may qualify for Energy Assistance, Financial Assistance, Housing Assistance, Transportation Assistance, Health Assistance, Legal Assistance, and much more.
Chicago’s Care Coordination Units (CCUs) serve as central access points for older adults who have intensive long-term care needs. If an older adult has a functional impairment(s) and needs in-home service, home-delivered meals, personal care, or other services, he/she can contact the nearest CCU. Click Here to learn more about CCUs near you.
To learn more about Caregiver Assistance, Click Here.
To find out if you or your loved one qualifies for Home-Delivered Meals, Click Here.
For Legal Assistance with Power of Attorney, Living Wills, Guardianship, and other legal issues that Caregivers are often faced with when assisting their older loved ones, Click Here. Legal services are coordinated and provided by CARPLS (Coordinated Advice & Referral Program for Legal Services).
To contact the City of Chicago for a Senior Well Check for seniors whose health, safety, or general well being might be in question, Click Here.
Illinois State Senior Care Resources Near You
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT ON AGING
The mission of the Illinois Department on Aging is to serve and advocate for older Illinoisans and their caregivers by administering quality and culturally appropriate programs that promote partnerships and encourage independence, dignity, and quality of life.
You can call the Illinois Department on Aging toll-free at 1-800-252-8966 or 711 (TRS).
TRS stands for Telecommunications Relay Service, which allows persons with hearing or speech disabilities to place and receive telephone calls.
Call to Report Elder Abuse at 1-866-800-1409 or 711 (TRS).
You or your loved ones may qualify for free public transit benefits. To learn more about Illinois benefit programs like Seniors Ride Free transit benefits, Persons with Disabilities Ride Free transit benefits, and State License Plate Discounts, Click Here.
To learn about Illinois state programs designed to help care for our seniors, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia resources, long-term care, community care, and more, Click Here.
To see if you or your loved ones qualify for Senior Companion Services through the Illinois Senior Health Assistance Program (SHAP), Click Here.
For free statewide health insurance counseling for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers, provided by the Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), Click Here.
In accordance with federal Older American’s Act regulations, the Illinois Department on Aging has divided Illinois into 13 Planning and Service Areas (PSAs). The 13 Planning and Service Areas in Illinois are each managed and served by an Area Agency on Aging. To find your PSA in your county, Click Here.
The Illinois Department on Aging’s Community Care Program helps senior citizens who might otherwise need nursing home care to remain in their own homes by providing In-Home and Community-Based Services, such as household chores and cooking help, Emergency Home Response Service, Adult Day Services, and Automated Medication Dispenser Services. To find out if you or your loved ones qualify, Click Here.
ILLINOIS LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services (primarily heating during winter months).
To find out if you or your loved ones qualify for Utility Bill Assistance, Click Here.
Federal Government Senior Care Resources
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS)
To learn more about all the Health and Human Services resources for healthy lifestyles, planning for retirement, and knowing your options for health care and long-term care, Click Here.
For Health and Human Services resources near you, Click Here.
For Health and Human Services resources on Retirement Planning and Security, Click Here.
To access Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, connects you to services for older adults and their families, Click Here.
You can also call Eldercare Locator toll-free at 1-800-677-1116, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, or you can email them at eldercarelocator@n4a.org.
Browse Caregiver Corner, their hub for many more resources and information for you and your loved ones, Click Here.
MEDICARE
Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You’re first eligible to sign up for Medicare 3 months before you turn 65. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease).
To learn more about your Medicare options, Click Here.
MEDICAID
Medicaid is a joint state/federal program, and eligibility criteria vary from state to state. Many states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover more low-income adults.
If you are unsure if you might qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You might be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability, and other factors.
You must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or have a satisfactory immigration status to be eligible for full benefits. Visit HealthCare.gov to take a quick screening to help you determine your eligibility for Medicaid or other health insurance options.
Click Here to learn more about Medicaid from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Medicare is federal health insurance for anyone age 65 and older, and some people under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that gives health coverage to some people with limited income and resources.
To learn more about the differences and your potential eligibility for either one, Click Here to visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services info page.
Stay Informed, Stay Healthy!
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