I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Des Plaines, IL

Des Plaines is a suburban city in Cook County, IL, only an hour northwest of downtown Chicago. According to the 2020 Census, adults aged 65 and older make up 18.8% of its almost 65,700 residents, which is 2% above the national average. The city’s significantly below-average crime rates may factor into its popularity with seniors, as may Cook County’s support for older homeowners. The county offers a Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program that may help make home care more affordable if you’re concerned about costs. Des Plaines is also conveniently close to O’Hare Airport, reducing journey times if you have family and friends further afield.

The city’s northerly location means that winters can be chilly, but pleasant temperatures of 84 degrees are the norm in summer. There are more physicians per capita than average for the country, and Des Plaines has several well-respected specialty hospitals within its boundaries, including Ascension Holy Family and Chicago Behavioral Hospital. Due to the city’s proximity to Chicago, you’re only a short journey from two hospitals included in the country’s top 20. A further benefit is the area’s below-average health costs, which may make home care a more accessible option.

II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Des Plaines, IL

The results of the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reveal that the typical Des Plaines senior pays $5,672 per month for home care and $5,720 for home health care. However, these figures should be read as a guide only since location and the variety of services you receive will influence the overall fee.

Genworth bases its results on a caregiver working 44 hours per month. This finds the average hourly home care rate to be $29.75, with home health care costing an additional 25 cents per hour. If you’re calculating long-term costs, you may want to know that the current national trend shows that home care fees are increasing by 10.64% year-over-year while home health care is increasing by 12.5%.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

The monthly median fees for home care ($5,672) and home health care ($5,720) in Des Plaines are above the national averages of home care ($4,957) and home health care ($5,148). The city’s median fees are also costlier than the state average of $5,339 for either type of care. Rockford’s median fees come close at $5,625, but this is unusual. It’s more common to find much lower fees, such as in Kankakee ($5,148) and Peoria ($5,053), for both types of care.

The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options

Home care’s median cost of $5,672 doesn’t appear to compare favorably with that of adult day care and assisted living. But when you consider all factors, it becomes more attractive. Assisted living requires the senior to relocate to a facility, for example and adult day care isn’t suitable for homebound seniors. Home health care’s $5,720 for limited medical care is more affordable compared to the median fee of $6,996 for nursing home care, which reflects that option’s near-hospital level services.

III. How to Find Home Care in Des Plaines, IL

Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Des Plaines, IL.

An infographic giving steps to finding a home care provider

IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Des Plaines, IL

Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois

What You Should Know

Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois has more than half a century of experience delivering freshly prepared and nutritionally balanced meals to homebound seniors. Two meals (one hot, one cold) are delivered from Monday to Saturday before 1:30 p.m. by volunteer drivers who can also make additional wellness-check visits on request. A further service is grocery shopping where you can request the driver to pick up items. The only cost is the price of the groceries. Free food for dogs and cats is available too. The menu rotates over four weeks, so there are plenty of choices, with two hot and two cold options per delivery. Typically, meals include either meat, poultry, fish or a vegetarian alternative. All meals include vegetables.

Who Is Eligible?

The program serves seniors and younger adults whose physical or cognitive abilities make it difficult for them to prepare their own meals. Adults rehabilitating from surgery or a serious illness also qualify during their recovery.

How to Get Started

To get more information, you can email the project’s coordinator or call (847) 332-2678. If you’re ready to register for meals, you should complete the online application.

Home Weatherization

What You Should Know

The Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA) is a nonprofit agency responsible for managing the state’s home weatherization program in Des Plaines. The program upgrades single-family and multifamily homes to make them safer and more energy efficient. Depending on the energy report, this may include sealing areas of air intrusion/release, repairing or replacing heating systems and insulating attics, crawlspaces and walls.

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible, you must reside in a home that meets minimal structural limits. Your entire household’s combined income cannot exceed program guidelines.

How to Get Started

All applicants must submit some documents. These include the Social Security numbers for every household member, proof of homeownership, gross income of all household members and the latest gas and electric bills. You should call (847) 297-2510 to begin the application process.

Utility Bill Assistance Programs

What You Should Know

CEDA manages several programs that can help seniors on low incomes meet their energy costs. The LIHEAP program offers two opportunities, one of which is a single payment and the other a monthly contribution towards bills over a longer period. There’s also LIHEAP Furnace Assistance, which can cover the costs of repairing or replacing a faulty furnace or boiler. All programs are open to homeowners and renters, including homes with undocumented residents.

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for one or more of the programs, your entire household income for the previous 30 days must fall within the agency’s guidelines.

How to Get Started

To apply for one or more of the programs, you should complete the online application or call (847) 297-2510 to speak to operators who are fluent in English, Spanish and Polish.

Center for Disability and Elder Law

What You Should Know

The Center for Disability and Elder Law has been providing seniors and disabled persons in Cook County with free legal advice and representation for more than 35 years. Although it can’t help with criminal law matters, it can assist with many aspects of civil law. These include divorce, consumer debt, power of attorney, real estate tax and simple wills. The firm’s attorneys can also help you with landlord/tenant issues and adult guardianship.

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for help, you must reside in suburban Cook County and be aged 60+ or have a permanent disability. Also, your household can’t have a combined income that exceeds 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

How to Get Started

To apply for help, you should call (312) 376-1880 on weekdays during normal working hours.

Home Rehab Programs

What You Should Know

The city of Des Plaines operates three home rehab programs for residents on low or moderate incomes who would otherwise struggle to cover the cost of improving the safety of their homes. The Home Repair Program can provide forgivable loans of up to $24,000 to eligible applicants who own and reside in a single-family home in Des Plaines. The Minor Home Repair program provides forgivable loans up to $8,000. Grants of up to $3,000 are available through the Emergency Repair Program if your home needs critical repairs. All loans are at 0% interest, and your credit rating is not affected. Grants don’t need to be repaid. Plus, city inspectors verify all grant-funded work.

Who Is Eligible?

Des Plaines homeowners on low or moderate incomes that fall within the guidelines can apply if their homes, after inspection, are deemed to need structural repairs.

How to Get Started

To apply for assistance, you should call or email the department that’s appropriate to your needs. These are:

  • Home Repair Program: (847) 969-0561 or email
  • Minor Home Repair Program: (847) 969-0561 or email
  • Emergency Repair Program: (847) 391-5381 or email