Personal Care in DeKalb, IL: Help With Bathing & Dressing

Local figures

Personal Care in DeKalb, IL: the local picture

4.6%

of residents 65+ have difficulty dressing or bathing (4.0% in DeKalb County)

24%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (18% in DeKalb County)

850

residents 85 or older (2.1% of all residents)

36

Medicare-certified home health agencies list DeKalb ZIP codes in their service area

About 188 DeKalb residents aged 65 or older have difficulty dressing or bathing (4.6%; 4.0% in DeKalb County). The Census Bureau calls this a self-care difficulty, and it is what personal care is for.

970 have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (24%), so many personal care visits also mean help getting to the bathroom or shower safely.

850 of the 4,472 older residents are 85 or older; needs for hands-on help rise with age.

DeKalb compared with DeKalb County and Illinois

Census figure	DeKalb	DeKalb County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	4.6%	4.0%	6.9%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	24%	18%	20%
Residents 85 or older	2.1%	1.6%	2.0%
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	28%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	27%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	7.4%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$55,079	$64,446	—

Older residents in towns around DeKalb

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Self-care difficulty (65+)
Cortland, IL	3.1 mi	360	7.2%
Sycamore, IL	5.9 mi	2,459	2.3%
Genoa, IL	12 mi	769	2.0%
Elburn, IL	15 mi	817	1.1%
Rochelle, IL	16 mi	1,474	4.9%
Campton Hills, IL	17 mi	1,893	1.7%

Home health agencies with aides serving DeKalb

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Elara Caring Ix	Huntley, IL	24 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(847) 589-6976
Home Care Experts	Burr Ridge, IL	44 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(224) 500-2625
Inspired Homecare Of Illinois, LLC	Wheaton, IL	33 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(630) 963-7824
Better Care Home Health, Inc	Schaumburg, IL	37 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(800) 518-8943
Newsome Home Health Care & Purpose Care Of Illinois - Joliet	Joliet, IL	41 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(815) 744-4770
Centerwell Home Health Ii	Buffalo Grove, IL	43 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(847) 972-1590

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

What it covers

What a personal care aide can help with

Bathing or showering, with a shower chair if needed
Dressing and undressing
Toileting and incontinence care
Grooming: hair, shaving and oral care

Cost

What personal care costs in DeKalb

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 35% of the $4,590 monthly median income of DeKalb 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 personal care aide

The Census Bureau asks whether a person has difficulty dressing or bathing, which it calls a self-care difficulty; it is the clearest sign that someone needs personal care. Medicare does not pay for personal care when it is the only care needed (Medicare.gov), but many state Medicaid programs do for people who qualify.

Questions worth asking: How do you protect a client’s dignity during bathing and toileting? Are you trained in safe transfers? Can you keep the same morning or evening hours each day? More in our personal care guide.

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

Questions

Personal Care in DeKalb: common questions

How much does personal care cost in DeKalb?

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 35% of the $4,590 monthly median income of DeKalb 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).

What is the difference between personal care and companion care?

Companion care is company and help around the house. Personal care is hands-on help with the body: bathing, dressing, toileting and grooming. Many caregivers offer both; say in your posting which you need.

More near DeKalb

More senior care near DeKalb

Personal Care in nearby cities

Other care in DeKalb

More for DeKalb 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 Personal Care in DeKalb, IL