Dementia Care in Chicago, IL: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Chicago, IL: the local picture

45,108

residents 85 or older (1.7% of all residents)

374,665

residents 65 or older (14% of Chicago)

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Cook County)

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Chicago has about 45,108 residents aged 85 or older among 374,665 aged 65 or older. The risk of Alzheimer’s rises steeply with age, and the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that about a third of people 85 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia.

36% of residents 65 and older report a disability (32% in Cook County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

36% of older Chicago residents in households live alone. For someone with memory loss who lives alone, a few hours of daily check-ins are often the first step.

Chicago compared with Cook County and Illinois

Census figure	Chicago	Cook County	Illinois
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	2.0%	2.0%
Residents 65 or older	14%	16%	17%
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	32%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	18%	13%	10%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	35%	36%	24%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$46,743	$56,774	—

Older residents in towns around Chicago

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Cicero, IL	3.9 mi	9,138	712
Stickney, IL	4.8 mi	1,152	125
Berwyn, IL	5.5 mi	7,625	635
Oak Park, IL	6.4 mi	9,454	802
Riverside, IL	6.8 mi	1,784	128
Forest Park, IL	7.1 mi	2,651	339

Nursing homes near Chicago

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
California Terrace	Chicago, IL	0.5 mi	1 of 5	297	(773) 847-8061
Little Village Nrsg & Rhb Ctr	Chicago, IL	1.9 mi	1 of 5	106	(773) 522-0400
Aperion Care International	Chicago, IL	2.1 mi	1 of 5	218	(773) 927-4200
Kensington Place Nrsg & Rehab	Chicago, IL	3.2 mi	1 of 5	155	(312) 791-0035
Ryze On The Avenue	Chicago, IL	3.3 mi	1 of 5	302	(312) 842-5000
Warren Barr South Loop	Chicago, IL	3.4 mi	1 of 5	210	(312) 922-2777

Hospices serving Chicago

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Illinois	Chicago, IL	1.3 mi	(312) 997-7200
Unity Hospice Of Chicagoland, LLC	Chicago, IL	2.8 mi	(312) 949-1188
Vital Care Hospice LLC	Evergreen Park, IL	8.0 mi	(773) 232-7200
Osf Hospice	Oak Lawn, IL	9.2 mi	(708) 229-4663

Straight-line miles from the center of Chicago. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a dementia caregiver can help with

Keeping a predictable daily routine
Gentle help with bathing, dressing and toileting
Meals, hydration and medication reminders
Calming approaches for sundowning, agitation and repeated questions

Cost

What dementia care costs in Chicago

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,895 monthly median income of Chicago households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a dementia caregiver

An estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2025 Facts and Figures. Most live at home, cared for by family. The Association’s 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) is free.

Questions worth asking: Tell me about someone with dementia you cared for. What worked? What do you do when a client becomes agitated in the late afternoon? How do you keep someone safe who tries to leave the house? More in our dementia care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Dementia Care in Chicago: common questions

What nursing homes are near Chicago?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are California Terrace in Chicago (0.5 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Little Village Nrsg & Rhb Ctr in Chicago (1.9 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Aperion Care International in Chicago (2.1 mi, 1 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Chicago?

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,895 monthly median income of Chicago households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

When does someone with dementia need care at home?

Common signs are missed meals or medication, getting lost in familiar places, unsafe cooking or driving, and a family caregiver who is exhausted. Many families start with a few hours a day and add hours, nights or live-in help as the disease progresses.

More near Chicago

More senior care near Chicago

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Chicago

More for Chicago families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

In-Home Dementia and Alzheimer's Care in Chicago, IL