In-Home Care for Veterans in River Forest, IL

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in River Forest, IL: the local picture

213

veterans aged 65 or older (9.5% of residents 65+)

2,249

residents 65 or older (19% of River Forest)

25%

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

33%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (32% in Cook County)

About 213 River Forest residents aged 65 or older are veterans (9.5% of that age group; 8.6% in Cook County), out of 282 veterans of all adult ages in town.

25% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (32% in Cook County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

River Forest compared with Cook County and Illinois

Census figure	River Forest	Cook County	Illinois
Residents 65+ who are veterans	9.5%	8.6%	12%
Residents 65+ with a disability	25%	32%	32%
Residents 65 or older	19%	16%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	17%	22%	20%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	2.7%	13%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$74,559	$56,774	—

Older residents in towns around River Forest

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Oak Park, IL	1.6 mi	9,454	7.3%
Maywood, IL	1.7 mi	2,857	8.3%
Forest Park, IL	1.8 mi	2,651	16%
Elmwood Park, IL	1.9 mi	4,066	6.3%
River Grove, IL	2.3 mi	1,659	14%
Melrose Park, IL	2.4 mi	3,138	8.4%

Hospitals near River Forest

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Loyola University Medical Center	Maywood, IL	1.6 mi	2 of 5	(708) 216-9000
Loyola Gottlieb Memorial Hospital	Melrose Park, IL	2.0 mi	3 of 5	(708) 681-3200
Rush Oak Park Hospital	Oak Park, IL	2.2 mi	4 of 5	(708) 383-9300

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

What it covers

What a caregiver for a veteran can help with

Company and help around the house
Personal care: bathing, dressing, toileting
Rides to VA and other appointments
Meals and medication reminders

Cost

What veterans’ home care costs in River 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 26% of the $6,213 monthly median income of River 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.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver for a veteran

The VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide program sends a trained aide, supervised by a registered nurse, to help eligible veterans with daily activities at home. The Aid and Attendance benefit adds monthly payments to a VA pension for veterans who need help with daily activities. The VA Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274.

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for veterans before? Can you drive to the VA medical center or clinic? Are you comfortable with the paperwork VA programs need? More in our veterans’ home care guide.

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

Questions

Veterans’ Home Care in River Forest: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care cost in River 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 26% of the $6,213 monthly median income of River 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).

Does the VA pay for in-home care?

For eligible veterans, VA programs such as Homemaker and Home Health Aide care can provide help at home, and Aid and Attendance can add to a VA pension. Ask the VA about eligibility; the Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274 (caregiver.va.gov).

More near River Forest

More senior care near River Forest

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in River Forest

More for River Forest 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.