I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Skokie, IL
With its location in Cook County, Illinois, abundant green spaces and cultural diversity, Skokie is the ideal place for seniors who are seeking easy access to health care services, world-class shopping and plenty of recreational and social opportunities. Of Skokie’s 67,824 residents, 20%, or one in five, are aged 65 and older. In Cook County, seniors make up 15% of the population.
Due to Skokie’s location near Lake Michigan, winters are typically cold and snowy, while the summer months tend to be pleasant, with July temperatures reaching an average of 83 degrees. No matter what the weather, you can stay active year-round thanks to Skokie Park District’s many indoor and outdoor facilities, including a spacious indoor aquatic center, municipal golf course and modern health club.
The Village of Skokie is also home to an award-winning public library, as well as multiple cultural and performing arts centers. If you need health care services, the Skokie Hospital is equipped with a 24/7 emergency department, and the facility is the only specialized orthopedic and spine care hospital in the state.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Skokie, IL
Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey shows that in Skokie, you can expect to pay an average of $4,957 per month for home care services. This rate is based on 44 hours of care each week, which works out to an average hourly rate of $30. You can estimate your in-home care costs by deciding how many hours of home care you’ll need, and multiplying this number by the average hourly rate.
The median rate for Skokie home health care services is $5,053 per month. This is higher than the rate for home care because home health care includes some basic medical services, such as skilled nursing, medication management and foot care.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Monthly home care and home health care costs in Skokie are higher than what residents pay in many nearby cities. In Kankakee, seniors pay an average of $4,767 per month for either type of in-home care, while in the state capitol of Springfield, home care and home health care rates run about $4,624 per month. To the northwest in Rockford, rates are similar to those in Skokie, with home care costing an average of $4,872, while home health care services cost about $5,039 per month.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Skokie’s home care ($4,957) and home health care ($5,053) costs are close to the city’s average assisted living rate of $4,950. Adult day care, a type of nonmedical care delivered in a group setting during business hours, is the lowest-priced option at $1,614 per month. Nursing homes provide around-the-clock skilled services and supervision, so this is the costliest type of senior care available. In Skokie, a semiprivate nursing home room costs an average of $8,076 per month.
Note: Data for Skokie was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Chicago, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Skokie, 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 Skokie, IL.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Skokie, IL
Chicago Transit Authority
What You Should Know
Skokie is part of the Chicago Transit Authority’s service area, which makes traveling to downtown Chicago and throughout the metropolitan area easy and affordable, even without a personal vehicle. The Skokie Swift route provides frequent service between Dempster Street, Oakton Street and Chicago’s Howard Street Terminal, and this route connects with the CTA’s Purple and Red lines.
All CTA buses and railcars are fully ADA-compliant and accessible for those who rely on mobility devices such as walkers, wheelchairs and electric scooters. Riders who can’t walk up and down stairs should consult with the CTA prior to planning a trip, as about 30% of CTA’s rail stations are not yet equipped with elevators.
Who Is Eligible?
As it’s a public transit system, anyone can ride CTA buses and trains. If you’re aged 65 or older, a Medicare cardholder or someone with a qualifying disability, you can apply for an RTA reduced fare permit, which gives you access to discounted fares on all CTA routes.
If you’re a beneficiary of the Illinois Department on Aging’s Benefit Access Program, you’re eligible to ride free on all CTA routes.
How to Get Started
For more information on CTA routes, accessibility and discounted fares, call the CTA customer service line at (888) 968-7282.
Village of Skokie Home Improvement Program
What You Should Know
The Village of Skokie’s Home Improvement Program uses Community Development Block Grant funds to help moderate- and low-income homeowners complete maintenance and weatherization projects. The goal of this program is to help homeowners reduce their energy costs and improve their home’s safety and accessibility.
Funds can be used to enhance energy-efficiency through increasing home insulation, making roofing repairs and completing furnace repairs or replacements. HIP money may also be used to complete safety-critical structural repairs, and for accessibility upgrades such as wheelchair ramps, widening of doorways and the installation of grab bars.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for up to $12,000 in grants through this program, you need to own and occupy your home in the Village of Skokie. Your home must be either a single-family house, condominium, cooperative, townhouse or two-flat, and you must also meet current income limits that are adjusted annually by the federal government.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the Home Improvement Program, contact the Village of Skokie’s Neighborhood Services Division at (847) 933-8224.
Senior Reassurance Program
What You Should Know
Skokie’s Human Services Department Senior Services’ Division helps independent older residents stay connected to their friends, family and community through the Senior Reassurance Program. This program includes free training to help seniors feel at ease using video chat apps such as Zoom on smartphones, tablets and computers.
Program participants receive regular wellness calls over the phone or via video chat, and home visits from Senior Services’ staff can be arranged for those who prefer in-person checks. Seniors who sign up for the program will also receive locally prepared care packages complete with nonperishable food items, toiletries and small gifts, as well as handmade artwork from area schoolchildren.
Who Is Eligible?
If you’re a senior in Skokie who lives independently and would like to learn how to use video chat apps or have regular check-in calls from a friendly neighbor, you’re eligible to sign up for the Senior Reassurance Program.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the Senior Reassurance Program, call the Skokie Human Services Department at (847) 933-8252.
Meals on Wheels of Northeastern Illinois
What You Should Know
Meals on Wheels is a nonprofit, low-cost home meal delivery service that provides housebound seniors with a hot meal each weekday. Meals consist of a protein, starch, vegetable, fruit or desert, and a carton of milk, and each contains one-third of the recommended daily nutritional values for older adults. Meals are delivered by screened volunteers, who also conduct a daily wellness check on each program participant.
In addition to daily hot noontime meals, the Meals on Wheels program also provides free home-delivered pet food on a monthly basis for clients who have companion animals. Volunteers will also pick up and deliver groceries from local stores to clients.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for Meals on Wheels service, you need to be a senior who has difficulty leaving your home, shopping for groceries and preparing your own healthy, nutritionally balanced meals. There’s no financial eligibility criteria, although you will be asked to contribute a small donation toward the cost of each meal if you’re able.
How to Get Started
To learn more about Meals on Wheels, call (847) 332-2678.
AgeOptions
What You Should Know
AgeOptions is a nonprofit senior services organization that serves as the federally mandated Area Agency on Aging for communities in suburban Cook County, including Skokie. AgeOptions’ staff members help connect local seniors with programs and services that promote healthy aging and independence, including community nutrition programs, free health insurance counseling and assistance with obtaining government benefits.
Who Is Eligible?
As a senior Skokie resident, you’re eligible to access a wide range of free and low-cost services through AgeOptions. Some programs are delivered directly through the organization, while others are contracted through local senior service providers.
How to Get Started
To speak with a senior services specialist, call AgeOptions at (708) 383-0258 or (800) 699-9043.