In-Home Care near Oak Park, IL

Home Care in Oak Park, Illinois

According to home healthcare industry statistics, the fastest growing age group is the 70 and up bracket, and about 70% of people using home health care are older than 65. That means more families are going through the decision of how to best care for their golden aged loved ones. For those who are not keen on living in a facility, there is another option. Home care provides seniors with a caretaker who assists with daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and medication. The assistance could involve more in-depth care, such as walking, toileting, and bathing. For those who live in Oak Park, they have several options when it comes to home care.

More About Oak Park

Oak Park, Illinois is classified as a village, and it's on the west side of Chicago. The town has a long and varied relationship with prohibition, and alcohol sales were not allowed in the village until 1973. The law changed to allow restaurants and hotels to serve alcohol, although residents still needed to go to Chicago to buy their own alcohol. In 2002, certain grocery stores were permitted to sell alcohol, but in general, Oak Park is often considered a "dry" village. Lawmakers in the area think the lack of alcohol is one of the reasons it’s a safer place to live than its neighboring metropolitan. One of the other notable aspects of the village is that it has the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes in the nation. Fans of architecture travel to Oak Park just to look at the homes. The village is also the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway, and the museum in his name is a cultural attraction. Despite its proximity to Chicago, Oak Park has kept its small-town vibe, and offers a lot of attractions that retired seniors may wish to see and experience.

Home Care Options in Oak Park

Home care is often preferred in Oak Park as it is a small, close-knit community. In-home caregivers are usually paid privately to live in the home and take care of the senior. There are two types of care provided: the first is to assist with ADL's, or activities of daily living, and the second is to assist with home care activities. ADL's include bathing, dressing, eating, and walking, among others. Home care activities include cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping. In some cases, the ADL's require medical assistance, and the caretaker must be a licensed nurse to help provide the care.

The cost of hiring home caregivers depends on the hours and services needed, as well as, cost of living, location, and whether the caregiver is certified. In general, the average hourly rate for caregivers is roughly $15-$25, and the overnight care is roughly $120-$200 a night. For those who require 24-hour care, rates range from $200-$350 per day. Families and seniors can find caregivers through state certified home health agencies and referrals from doctors or friends. As with any assisted living option, the agency and the caretaker should be fully researched and vetted before allowing them in the senior's home. It benefits families to start thinking about home care options early, and plan accordingly.

Services Provided in Oak Park

As for services provided, it varies by agency and need of the patient. For example, someone who recently underwent surgery may only need short-term physical therapy until they stabilize, and then the caretaker leaves. In that case, most insurances or federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid will cover the costs. However, some people need full-time care due to illness and increased age. In those cases, it may make more sense to hire a full-time live-in caretaker to handle the daily activities such as toileting, bathing, dressing, and walking, as well as the household activities, such as cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping. Licensed agencies even offer registered nurses to assist with medical needs for those seniors who need it.

Oak Park and Living

It's understandable that seniors may wish to keep the freedom and security of their own homes and beds, and assisted living options can be scary for them. Structure is important to the success of an assisted living facility, but it's not always the best for individuals. Sometimes, the best option is home care because it offers seniors a safe, effective way to receive the assistance they need while also giving them a little freedom to live their life. That's why Oak Park's options for home care are so important; seniors get freedom and families get peace of mind.