Full Home Care Cost Guide: How much does home care cost in Illinois? Compare 2025 private pay rates to the free Community Care Program (CCP) and learn about the $17,500 asset limit.
For many Northern Illinois families, the conversation about senior care begins with hope—finding the right support so Mom or Dad can stay safe at home. But within days, that hope collides with a harder question: How are we going to pay for this?
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The Financial Reality of Aging in Illinois
How are we going to pay for this?
You’re not alone in asking. The cost of professional home care is one of the biggest concerns families face when exploring their options. Many assume that Medicare will cover it (it usually doesn’t for non-medical care), or that they’ll need to deplete their savings to afford help.
Here’s what you need to know: Illinois care costs run slightly higher than the national average, but home-based care remains significantly more affordable than facility-based alternatives like nursing homes or assisted living communities (CareScout, 2025). And for families who qualify, the Illinois Community Care Program (CCP) can provide services at zero out-of-pocket cost.
This guide breaks down the real numbers, explains your payment options, and shows you how to determine which path fits your family’s financial situation.
Median Home Care Costs vs. Assisted Living
Let’s start with transparency. According to the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, which analyzed senior care pricing across Illinois, families are facing these median annual costs:
- In-Home Care (Non-Medical): ~$82,368/year (approximately $35/hour for professional caregiving services)
- Assisted Living Community: ~$72,645/year
- Nursing Home (Private Room): ~$110,595/year
(CareScout, 2025)
What This Means in Practice
At first glance, assisted living appears less expensive than home care. But these numbers don’t tell the full story.
Home care is typically billed hourly, not as a flat monthly rate. If your parent only needs 3-4 hours of support per day (help with meals, bathing, and companionship), your annual cost will be significantly lower than $82,368. That median figure assumes full-time, round-the-clock care.
Assisted living costs are fixed, regardless of how much or how little assistance your parent actually uses. You pay the monthly rate whether they need help once a day or ten times a day.
Nursing home care is the most expensive option and is designed for individuals requiring 24/7 skilled nursing supervision—not for seniors who simply need help with daily activities.
The Local Factor: Geography Matters
Illinois is not a monolithic market. Care costs vary significantly depending on where your parent lives.
- Chicago Metro area (Cook, DuPage, Lake Counties) tends to see higher hourly rates due to cost of living and caregiver wages.
- Rockford and surrounding Northern Illinois regions (Winnebago, Boone, Stephenson Counties) remain among the most affordable areas in the state for home care (ElderLife Financial, 2025).
If your family is navigating costs in the Rockford area, you’re working with some of the most favorable pricing in Illinois—but you still need a plan to fund it.
Path 1: Private Pay & Long-Term Care Insurance
Private pay means paying for home care services out-of-pocket, either from savings, retirement income, or family contributions. This is the most common payment method for non-medical home care.
Advantages of Private Pay
- Immediate access: No waiting period, no eligibility screening. You can start services as soon as a caregiver is available.
- Full flexibility: You choose the provider, the schedule, and the specific caregivers who work with your parent.
- No income or asset restrictions: Unlike public benefit programs, there are no financial qualifications.
Long-Term Care Insurance
If your parent purchased a Long-Term Care (LTC) insurance policy years ago, now is the time to review it.
Most LTC policies do cover non-medical home care, provided the policyholder requires assistance with two or more Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)—such as bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, or eating.
What to do:
- Contact the insurance provider and request a benefit verification.
- Ask about the daily or monthly benefit limit, elimination period (waiting period before benefits begin), and any preferred provider requirements.
- Submit the required documentation, which typically includes a care plan and physician’s statement.
Important note: Standard health insurance (including Medicare) does not cover non-medical home care. LTC insurance is a separate policy designed specifically for custodial care.
Path 2: The Illinois Community Care Program (CCP)
For families who cannot afford private pay rates and do not have long-term care insurance, the Illinois Community Care Program (CCP) can be a lifeline.
What Is CCP?
The CCP is a public benefit entitlement program managed by the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA). It was created to prevent unnecessary nursing home placements by providing home and community-based services to eligible seniors at no cost (Illinois Department on Aging, 2024).
What Services Does CCP Cover?
CCP provides a range of non-medical supports, including:
- Homemaker services: Light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation
- Personal care: Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting
- Adult day services: Supervised daytime programs offering social engagement and activities
- Emergency home response systems: Medical alert devices
- Case management: Coordination of services and ongoing support
(Illinois Department on Aging, 2024)
The Benefit: Zero Out-of-Pocket Cost
If your parent qualifies for CCP, services are provided at no charge. There are no copays, no deductibles, and no monthly premiums.
Destiny Healthcare Services is an authorized CCP provider through our regional network, meaning families can access our caregiving teams through the program if they meet eligibility requirements.
Do You Qualify? The $17,500 Asset Limit Explained
CCP eligibility is based on age, financial need, and functional need.
Here’s how each factor works.
Age Requirement
- Your parent must be age 60 or older (Illinois Department on Aging, 2024).
Financial Eligibility: The Asset Test
- To qualify for CCP, an applicant’s non-exempt assets must be below $17,500 (Illinois Department of Human Services, 2025).
This is often called the “asset limit” or “resource test.”
What Counts as an Asset?
Assets include:
- Bank accounts (checking, savings)
- Certificates of deposit (CDs)
- Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
- Secondary properties or investment real estate
- Vehicles beyond the primary car
What Doesn’t Count? (Exempt Assets)
The following are excluded from the asset calculation:
- Primary residence (the home where your parent lives, up to certain equity limits)
- One vehicle used for transportation
- Personal belongings and household furnishings
- Pre-paid burial plans or funeral trusts
- Life insurance policies with a face value under $1,500
(Illinois Department of Human Services, 2025)
Example:
Your mother owns her home, has one car, $12,000 in a savings account, and a pre-paid funeral plan. Her countable assets are $12,000—well below the $17,500 limit. She would likely meet the financial eligibility requirement.
Functional Eligibility: The “Determination of Need” (DON)
Even if your parent meets the age and asset requirements, they must also demonstrate a functional need for services.
This is assessed through a Determination of Need (DON) evaluation, conducted by a local Care Coordination Unit (CCU). The assessment measures:
- Ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Cognitive status and safety awareness
- Living situation and informal support network
- Risk of nursing home placement without services
The DON score determines whether your parent qualifies for CCP and, if so, what level of services they’re eligible to receive.
How to Start the Process in Northern Illinois
If you think your parent might qualify for CCP, here’s how to begin.
Step 1: Contact Your Regional Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
Illinois is divided into regional planning areas, each served by an Area Agency on Aging (AAA). The AAA coordinates CCP services for your area.
Northern Illinois AAA contacts:
- AgeGuide (serving DuPage, Kane, and Lake Counties): ageguide.org
- Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging (serving Winnebago, Boone, Stephenson, and surrounding counties): nwilaaa.org
- Aging Care Connections (serving McHenry and DeKalb Counties): agingcareconnections.org
Step 2: Request a Free In-Home Assessment
Once you contact the AAA, they will arrange for a Care Coordination Unit (CCU) representative to conduct a home visit. This assessment is free and non-obligatory.
The CCU will:
- Evaluate your parent’s functional abilities
- Review financial eligibility
- Determine the DON score
- Explain available services if your parent qualifies
Step 3: Select an Authorized Provider
If your parent is approved for CCP, you’ll receive a list of authorized providers in your area. You choose which agency you’d like to work with.
Destiny Healthcare Services is an authorized CCP provider through our Golden Touch, Destiny Homecare, and Family Element teams, depending on your region.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please talk to a member of our care team today.
Comparing Your Options: Which Path Is Right?
Not sure whether private pay, insurance, or CCP is the best fit? Here’s a quick comparison.
| Payment Method | Best For | Key Advantage | Eligibility Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Pay | Families with savings or retirement income | Immediate access, full flexibility | None |
| Long-Term Care Insurance | Policyholders needing ADL assistance | Insurance covers costs | Must have active LTC policy |
| Illinois CCP | Low-income seniors meeting asset limits | Zero out-of-pocket cost | Age 60+, assets under $17,500, DON score |
What If You’re Not Sure Where to Start?
If you’re still uncertain about which payment path fits your family’s situation, we can help.
Use our Care Navigator tool to answer a few questions about your parent’s current needs and financial situation. We’ll guide you toward the right next step—whether that’s scheduling a CCP assessment, verifying insurance benefits, or exploring private pay options.
Start the Home Care Navigator →
You can also read our previous guide, Home Care vs. Home Health: Which Level of Support Does Your Parent Need?, to better understand whether your parent needs non-medical daily living support (Home Care) or physician-ordered clinical care (Home Health).
The Bottom Line: Care Doesn’t Have to Be Unaffordable
Professional home care is an investment—but it doesn’t have to be out of reach.
- If your family has the financial flexibility, private pay offers immediate access and full control.
- If your parent has long-term care insurance, now is the time to activate those benefits.
- If income and assets are limited, the Illinois Community Care Program can provide free services for those who qualify.
At Destiny Healthcare Services, we work with families across all three payment paths. Our goal is to help you access the care your loved one needs—regardless of how it’s funded.
Ready to explore your options?
Contact Our Care Team | Find Home Care Near You
FAQs
Questions People Ask about Home Care Costs in Illinois (Updated 2026)
How much money can you have before having to pay for care?
In Illinois, if you are applying for the Community Care Program (CCP), you must meet a specific asset limit to receive free services. As of 2025, an individual can have no more than $17,500 in non-exempt assets. This total excludes your primary home, one vehicle, and personal effects. If your assets exceed this amount, you typically must “private pay” for care until you reach the eligibility threshold.
What is the least expensive type of long-term care?
Generally, non-medical Home Care is the least expensive form of long-term care because it is billed hourly. According to CareScout 2025 data, while the median annual cost for full-time care is high, most families only pay for the specific hours they need (e.g., 4 hours a day for meal prep and hygiene). This makes it significantly more budget-friendly than Assisted Living ($72,645/year) or a Nursing Home ($110,595/year), which carry fixed monthly or daily rates regardless of usage.
Does Medicare pay for home health care in Illinois?
Yes, but only for clinical medical recovery. Medicare covers 100% of Home Health care if it is physician-ordered, deemed medically necessary, and provided by a Medicare-certified agency like Destiny Home Health. However, Medicare does not pay for “Home Care” (non-medical daily living support, such as laundry, meal prep, or companionship).
What is the average cost per day of a nursing home stay?
In Illinois, the median cost for a private room in a nursing home is approximately $303 per day (based on a median annual cost of $110,595). Costs are often higher in the Chicago Metro area and slightly lower in regions like Rockford. Because this is the most expensive tier of care, many families use Home Care as a preventative measure to delay or avoid nursing home placement.
What happens to seniors who can’t afford care?
Seniors in Illinois who cannot afford private-pay care may qualify for the Community Care Program (CCP). This state-funded entitlement provides free in-home services to those aged 60+ who meet asset and functional need requirements. If a senior requires a higher level of medical care but lacks funds, they may apply for Long-Term Care Medicaid, which covers nursing home stays once personal assets are depleted to state-mandated levels.
References
CareScout. (2025). CareScout releases 2025 cost of care data for Illinois. Business Wire. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260302054484/en/CareScout-Releases-2025-Cost-of-Care-Data-for-Illinois
ElderLife Financial. (2025). Cost of senior care in Illinois. https://www.elderlifefinancial.com/cost-of-care/cost-of-senior-care-illinois/
Illinois Department of Human Services. (2025). Policy manual 07-02-01: Community Care Program asset limits. https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=14876
Illinois Department on Aging. (2024). Community Care Program (CCP) brochure. https://ilaging.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/aging/resources/newsandpublications/publications/documents/ccp-brochure.pdf
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