Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Lake Forest, IL
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Lake Forest for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Lake Forest, IL: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Lake Forest are Lake Forest Place in Lake Forest (1.9 mi), Warren Barr North Shore in Highland Park (2.2 mi), Aliya Of Highwood in Highwood (3.4 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in Illinois earn a median $18.30 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Lake Forest has about 667 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Lake Forest compared with Lake County and Illinois
| Census figure | Lake Forest | Lake County | Illinois |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 3.4% | 1.8% | 2.0% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 23% | 26% | 32% |
| Residents 65 or older | 27% | 16% | 17% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 20% | 25% | 30% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 3.9% | 7.4% | 10% |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.5% | 4.6% | 11% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $132,287 | $80,242 | — |
Older residents in towns around Lake Forest
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highwood, IL | 3.0 mi | 1,141 | 213 |
| Lake Bluff, IL | 3.3 mi | 1,305 | 111 |
| Lincolnshire, IL | 4.1 mi | 1,952 | 573 |
| Highland Park, IL | 4.4 mi | 7,400 | 1,140 |
| Riverwoods, IL | 4.7 mi | 1,000 | 87 |
| Deerfield, IL | 4.8 mi | 3,872 | 813 |
Nursing homes near Lake Forest
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Forest Place | Lake Forest, IL | 1.9 mi | 5 of 5 | 50 | (847) 604-6701 |
| Warren Barr North Shore | Highland Park, IL | 2.2 mi | 3 of 5 | 215 | (847) 266-9266 |
| Aliya Of Highwood | Highwood, IL | 3.4 mi | 4 of 5 | 104 | (847) 432-9142 |
| Claridge Healthcare Center | Lake Bluff, IL | 3.6 mi | 1 of 5 | 231 | (847) 295-3900 |
| Serenity Estates Of Lincolnshire | Lincolnshire, IL | 4.3 mi | 1 of 5 | 144 | (224) 543-7100 |
| Avantara Libertyville | Libertyville, IL | 4.9 mi | 4 of 5 | 150 | (847) 816-3200 |
Home health agencies serving Lake Forest
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellcare Home Health, Inc | Northbrook, IL | 7.6 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (847) 562-4041 |
| Providence Home Health Care, I | Northbrook, IL | 7.6 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (847) 480-7877 |
| Center Of Illinois Home Healthcare, Inc | Arlington Heights, IL | 14 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (847) 437-0774 |
| Home Care Experts | Burr Ridge, IL | 34 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (224) 500-2625 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Lake Forest. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a nursing assistant can help with
- Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Safe transfers, repositioning and walking
- Help with eating and fluids
- Taking and noting vital signs if asked
What CNAs costs in Lake Forest
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 14% of the $11,024 monthly median income of Lake Forest 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.
What to know before hiring a nursing assistant
To be certified, a nurse aide completes a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, and passes a competency exam (42 CFR 483.152). The state then lists them on its nurse aide registry, which you can search online in most states.
Questions worth asking: Which state certified you, and is it current? Where have you worked as a CNA? Are you comfortable with lifts, catheters and incontinence care? More in our nursing assistants guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Nursing Assistants in Lake Forest: common questions
What nursing homes are near Lake Forest?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Lake Forest Place in Lake Forest (1.9 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Warren Barr North Shore in Highland Park (2.2 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Aliya Of Highwood in Highwood (3.4 mi, 4 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Lake Forest?
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 14% of the $11,024 monthly median income of Lake Forest 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).
Can a CNA give medication?
Generally no. A CNA can remind someone to take medication. Giving medication is usually reserved for licensed nurses, or for aides with a separate state medication certification.
More senior care near Lake Forest
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Highwood, IL
- Nursing Assistants in Lake Bluff, IL
- Nursing Assistants in Lincolnshire, IL
- Nursing Assistants in Highland Park, IL
- Nursing Assistants in Riverwoods, IL
- Nursing Assistants in Deerfield, IL
- Nursing Assistants in Green Oaks, IL
- Nursing Assistants in Vernon Hills, IL
- Nursing Assistants in North Chicago, IL
- Nursing Assistants in Libertyville, IL
- Nursing Assistants in Buffalo Grove, IL
- Nursing Assistants in Northbrook, IL
- Nursing Assistants in Wheeling, IL
- Nursing Assistants in Long Grove, IL
- Nursing Assistants in Park City, IL
- Nursing Assistants in Glencoe, IL
Other care in Lake Forest
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.
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