Good senior living communities provide extra care and assistance to seniors that need it, but also a strong sense of security. Finding the right living and care provider is the crucial difference between an aging loved being part of a warm, caring environment, or feeling out of place and distant. How do you find the right senior living provider with the right services, amenities, and properly staffed?
We know it can be overwhelming looking for the right senior living for a parent or loved one. We created this list of 15 top senior living communities in Illinois hoping it would make your search for the perfect community faster and easier. Don’t worry if you can’t find a facility near you, our senior living directory has other highly rated locations that you can filter by city or zip code. If you’re still not sure how to get started, contact us for extra assistance.
Paying for Senior Living in Illinois: VA Benefits
A little-known benefit is offered through the VA to eligible wartime veterans and their spouses. The Aid and Attendance benefit is awarded to those with low incomes and who require extra financing to pay for senior living costs. Specifically, performing activities of daily living (dressing, feeding, toileting, etc) can oftentimes be covered by this benefit. Contact your local VA office or website for additional information.
Ranking The Best Senior Living Facilities in Illinois
We pulled together reviews off Facebook and Google, combined them with our own visitor ratings and comments. Together with an in-depth search into community citations and violations on the Illinois Department of Public Health IDPH, we found our final list of top quality communities listed below.
In terms of costs, the average cost of an Illinois senior living community is $2,800 per month. This is on par with most states and can vary depending on cost of living location and services provided. The level of care needed will also heavily influence the final price. Senior apartments are the cheapest because no care is provided. Nursing homes and memory care will run several thousand dollars more a month because of the high-level of care given.
Top Rated Illinois Senior Living Facilities
4.82/5 Average Rating of Facilities
573 Total Reviews
Oak Trace
200 Village Dr
Downers Grove, IL 60516
Living Types Available: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
4.9/5 Average Rating
18 Total Reviews
What residents and loved ones have to say about Oak Trace:
My mother has lived at Oak Trace for 5 years – 4 years in the Independent apartments and 1 year in Catered Living. She also has been in rehab twice since moving in. We have been extremely happy with our experiences and quality of life, independence and care. The entire staff is focused on the safety, comfort and happiness of each person who lives at OakTrace – from the restaurant team, maintenance team, the wonderful front desk team, social workers and the nursing teams. I know my mother is safe and happy, and has people who care about her caring for her each day. The entire team made mom’s move to Catered Living an easy transition – I can’t say enough about the Catered Living team! We are so grateful to have a wonderful option in our community to give our parents a great life and independence in a beautiful and safe environment! Thank you!
-Linda Behlau
Concord Place Retirement Community
401 W Lake St
Northlake, IL 60164
Living Types Available: Independent Living, Assisted Living
4.5/5 Average Rating
43 Total Reviews
What residents and loved ones have to say about Concord Place Retirement Community:
My family has been trying to find my cousin Johnny Rak who moved out of Chicago a few years ago. One cousin located him at Concord Place, and as soon as I sent a private message to Mary, the Activity Director, she responded immediately the indeed he was a resident there, was doing fine and she is currently helping him connect to all the Rak Cousins!!! Thank you, Mary!!!
-Karen Mytych Cortese
Symphony of Buffalo Grove
150 N Weiland Rd
Buffalo Grove IL 60089
Living Types Available: Assisted Living
4.9/5 Average Rating
36 Total Reviews
What residents and loved ones have to say about Symphony of Buffalo Grove:
Recently had my grandmother stay there and was very pleased with the service and amenities. Ashley was incredibly helpful with helping us get everything set up so that getting my grandmother in was not a worry. I felt very comfortable leaving her in the staffs very capable hands. I thank everybody there for their service.
-Zavier Rodriguez
Asbury Gardens
210 Airport Rd
North Aurora IL 60542
Living Types Available: Assisted Living, Memory Care
4.8/5 Average Rating
17 Total Reviews
What residents and loved ones have to say about Asbury Gardens:
My Mom is suffering with Dementia. She now needs more assistance. She didn’t want to move in with any of her children. She wanted to be as independent as possible. I then began the difficult task of looking for facilities. This was something I dreaded because of the horror stories you hear about nursing home and assisted living facilities. I google facilities in my area and started calling for appointments. I called a couple of facilities and made my appointments to come out to take a look. Let me just say that I am GLAD that Asbury Gardens was my first appointment. When I entered Asbury Gardens I knew this was the right facility for my Mom. Let me explain. Asbury Gardens is EXQUISITE. You have to see it in person for yourself the pictures are not enough.
-Victoria Thompson
Cedarhurst of Springfield
3520 Old Jacksonville Road
Springfield IL 62711
Living Types Available: Assisted Living, Memory Care
5.0/5 Average Rating
11 Total Reviews
What residents and loved ones have to say about Cedarhurst of Springfield:
Very professional and caring service from a very attentive staff. The administrator, Becky, has always answered my questions quickly and completely! When choosing a retirement facility for a loved one, this is so important! Unfortunately, mom passed before she was able to transition to Cedarhurst, but the caring nature of the employees will be remembered always!
-Jeff Jackson
The Oaks at Bartlett
825 Carillon Drive
Bartlett IL 60103
Living Types Available: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
4.9/5 Average Rating
26 Total Reviews
What residents and loved ones have to say about The Oaks at Bartlett:
I have been living here now for almost eight years and I can honestly say that it’s one of the best decisions I have ever made. The people here are family and the staff is friendly and very caring. There was so much to do I had to pick and choose among the many choices. Over the years my health has declined somewhat and I still can find appropriate activities. It’s wonderful to feel safe and know you have support when you need it.
-Joyce Campbell
Grace Point Place Memory Care
5701 W 101st St
Oak Lawn IL 60453
Living Types Available: Memory Care
5.0/5 Average Rating
23 Total Reviews
What residents and loved ones have to say about Grace Point Place Memory Care:
If you are considering the need for Memory Care for a Loved One, I strongly recommend that you check out Grace Point Place! Our Beloved Family Member receives Wonderful Care. The facility is absolutely Beautiful. I am most impressed with the Commitment-Passion-Professionalism of the entire staff – Truly a Great Team Spirit to provide Outstanding Care to All of the Residents. Grace Point Places Wonderful Care of Our Beloved Family Member brings Comfort and Peace to our Family!!!
-Ed F
Grand Regency of Rockford Supportive Living
2114 Kishwaukee St
Rockford IL 61104
Living Types Available: Assisted Living, Memory Care
4.9/5 Average Rating
25 Total Reviews
What residents and loved ones have to say about Grand Regency of Rockford Supportive Living:
I am very impressed with the caring staff, residents and management. Everyone has gone above and beyond to assist my aunt with getting acclimated to her new home. All the staff introduced themselves and explained the role they held, residents welcomed her and invited her to join them for meals and activities. Our family had toured a number of facilities but none compared to the customer service we received from the staff at Rockford Supportive Living. I was skeptical because of the location but after learning the building is secure and equipped with security cameras the customer service won us over. My aunt has been living at Rockford Supportive Living for six months and could not be happier. I highly recommend Rockford Supportive Living to anyone looking for supportive-assisted living, the staff-customer service is what makes this facility stand out from the rest. Thank you for making my aunt, family and myself feel at ease and happy when faced with making a tough decision.
-Lillian Blaney
Rock Run Place Assisted Living and Memory Care Community
3320 Executive Dr
Joliet IL 60431
Living Types Available: Assisted Living
4.8/5 Average Rating
25 Total Reviews
What residents and loved ones have to say about Rock Run Place:
My mom has been a resident for over two years. I am so pleased with her wonderful care. The staff combines their skills and talents to keep her safe, healthy and enjoying her days! Our community is blessed to have such a great memory care facility.
-Deb Soliman
The Cottages of Fox Lake
16 Lilac Ave
Fox Lake IL 60020
Living Types Available: Assisted Living, Memory Care
5.0/5 Average Rating
11 Total Reviews
What residents and loved ones have to say about The Cottages of Fox Lake:
Ohhhh my goodness! My husband and I cant say enough good things about the Cottages of Fox Lake. After living with us for 19 years we had to put my Mom in memory care. It felt very overwhelming but the folks at the Cottages of Fox Lake hugged us, sat us down and heard our story and said in the simplest terms that they could help. And that’s what they have been doing since that day. I am amazed at how my Mom has been able to settle in after such a big change for her. Everyone is so very nice and helpful and loving to her and to all and there doesn’t ever seem to be a shortage of staff to help when needs arise. Ohhh, I could go on and on but I think you should go see for yourself. You will be amazed! Thank you Deana, Florinda, Wanda, Reyna, all the nurses and the care takers, chef, maintenance guys and all. Thank you for letting us join the family.
-Ron Hinkle
More Highly Rated IL Senior Living & Care Facilities
Independence Village of Peoria
Knollwood St. Clair Retirement Center
Waverly Inn Memory Care Community
Cedarhurst of Naperville/Woodridge
Jackson Park Supportive Living
Grand Regency of Robbins Supportive Living