I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Naperville, IL

Naperville has been consistently ranked as one of the best cities to live in Illinois. It was listed in Money magazine’s “Best Places to Live” seven times since 2004, ranked the safest city in America in 2017 and the best place for early retirement in 2013.

Naperville has a sizable senior population. Out of the 148,449 residents, approximately 12% are those aged 65 and older. Naperville created a Senior Task Force in 2014 and remains committed to making its older residents feel welcome in the community. The task force helps address the city’s growing senior population’s needs and works to solve transportation challenges, healthcare resources and housing concerns. Naperville is also a designated Dementia Friendly City. It provides individuals living with dementia with a safe and respectful place to thrive and be part of the community.

The city is a perfect retirement destination if you enjoy being surrounded by nature. The Naperville Riverwalk, dubbed the “Crown Jewel of Naperville,” is one of the city’s best areas for a relaxing stroll while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Naperville, IL

What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Naperville, IL

According to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2020, Naperville has an average home care cost of $4,957 per month. The city’s home health care cost is slightly higher, at $5,053 per month. Home health care offers additional services, such as light medical care, which can increase its costs, but that’s not always the case.

Naperville’s average home care cost is based on the assumption of 44 hours of care per week. You can expect to pay $26 per hour for home care and $26.50 per hour for home health care.

Note: Data for Naperville was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Chicago, was used instead.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

Naperville’s home care costs are higher than in the neighboring cities of Rockford, Kankakee and Bloomington. In Rockford, you’ll pay $4,872 and $5,039 for home care and home health care, which is slightly less than in Naperville. You can also save between $95 to $143 for both types of care in Bloomington while greater savings can be found in Kankakee at $4,767 per month for both types of home care.

The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options

Home care is one of the pricier options for care in Naperville. The least expensive option is adult daycare at $1,614 per month. You’ll pay over $3,000 more per month for a semi-private room in a nursing home facility than if you receive home care. Assisted living has an average cost of $4,950, which is only $7 less than home care. Therefore, home care remains an ideal option as you’ll be able to stay at home while paying similar costs for individualized care.

III. How to Find Home Care in Naperville, 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 Naperville, IL.

An infographic giving steps to finding a home care provider

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 Naperville, IL

Caregiver Resource Center

What You Should Know
The Caregiver Resource Center is a federally funded program aimed at helping out your caregivers, whether they’re family or friends. The program provides respite services, emergency gap-filling services and caregiver information.

Respite care may include homemaker services, adult day services or short-term nursing home placement. The emergency gap-filling services can provide emergency support during unexpected circumstances, and you’ll be able to receive respite care, home modifications and financial assistance. The program’s goal is to give your caregivers a much-needed break so that they’re able to keep caring for you.

Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for this program, caregivers must be unpaid and caring for seniors aged 60 and older or those with Alzheimer’s or related disorders.

How to Get Started
If you would like to get started with the Caregiver Resource Center program, call (630) 407-6500 or (800) 942-9412 to apply. Your caregiver can also complete the TCARE Assessment to create an individualized care and resource plan, and a case manager will follow-up. Visit DuPage County‘s website for more information.

Veterans Independence Program 

What You Should Know
If you’re a veteran, you may be eligible for the Veterans Independence Program (VIP) and able to receive home and community-based services that can help you to avoid institutionalization. The program gives you the flexibility to control the types of services you’ll receive, as well as when you’ll receive them. You’ll work with a trained options counselor who will help you create a plan for your specific situation.

You can receive an approved amount of funds from Veterans Affairs. These funds are to be used towards hiring someone to assist with personal care or chores around the house, contracting someone to help with house maintenance such as snow removal or minor home repairs and towards meal delivery services.

Who Is Eligible?
The VA Medical Center will determine your eligibility for this program, but at the minimum, you must require in-home help and be at risk of nursing home placement.

How to Get Started
If you want to enroll and determine your eligibility for VIP, call (224) 610-3665. For additional information about this benefit, you can call (630) 293-5990 or visit AgeGuide.

Ride DuPage

What You Should Know
Ride DuPage offers a subsidized taxi and lift-equipped transportation for DuPage County residents aged 65 and older. The service provides trips for dialysis, doctors and dentists appointments, hospitals, community services and various health centers. Trips outside of DuPage County must be approved beforehand. There is a $4 fee each way to DuPage County Community Services and the Health Department and a $1.50 fee for other trips for the first six miles.

Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for the transportation service, you must be 65 and older, have an income at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines and not have your own transportation.

How to Get Started
If you would like to enroll in the program, call (630) 407-6500 or email [email protected]. Visit the DuPage County website for more eligibility information.

Meals on Wheels

What You Should Know
The Meals on Wheels program provides homebound seniors with home-delivered, ready-to-eat meals. Each meal is low in salt and cholesterol and meets one-third of the daily recommended dietary intake. The program also offers diabetic, vegetarian or pureed meals.

In addition to meal delivery, Meals on Wheels also provides a well-being check and emergency follow-up on every participant. This service offers seniors living alone much-needed social interactions and ensures they aren’t experiencing any medical, physical or household issues.

Who Is Eligible?
Seniors living alone at home are eligible for the home delivery service.

How to Get Started
If you’re interested in this service, visit the sign-up page to get in touch with the DuPage Senior Council office. You can also call the main office at (630) 620-0804 or reach out to your local Naperville community center at (630) 620-0804 x316.

Community Care Program

What You Should Know
The Community Care Program provides home and community-based services to help seniors who require nursing home care remain in their homes. Community Care is a waiver program under Medicaid.

Adult day services offer respite for your family caregivers by providing health, medication supervision and personal care at various service centers. You’ll also be able to receive in-home services where homemakers can help with individual care tasks, household chores and meal preparation. A scheduled visit by a senior volunteer is also available to provide friendship and companionship.

Who Is Eligible?
You must be 60 years or older, be a U.S. citizen or legal alien, an Illinois resident, meet the income requirements and display a need for long-term care.

How to Get Started
If you would like more information on the Community Care Program, call the Senior HelpLine at (800) 252-8966 or the local Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging branch at (815) 939-0727.