Check out these resources for caregiving assistance
There’s a lot to consider when setting up aging services. Fortunately, many organizations provide helpful resources for a range of situations. We have organized this list by service categories, including resources we are familiar with to best help you in your efforts.
You can also review lists of specific Chicago-area organizations online at Seniors Blue Book, (seniorsbluebook.com/local/chicago) and Elderwerks Educational Services (elderwerks.org).
Quality is paramount in choosing service providers. Consider whether a provider is an active member of a local professional group, such as the Illinois Continuity of Care Association (il-coc.org). For some services, you can also check providers’ star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (cms.gov).
These umbrella agencies connect older adults and caregivers to community services: AgeOptions in suburban Cook County (ageoptions.org), AgeGuide in the collar counties (ageguide.org), and the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services in the city of Chicago (cityofchicago.org/aging). The Illinois Department on Aging also has a senior helpline that you can call for assistance in a variety of areas, including reporting elder abuse and medical coverage: 1-800-252-8966.
As we discover more resources, we will expand this list.
Types of community resources
• Senior advocacy organizations
• Area agencies on aging
• Housing assistance programs
• Nutrition and food services
• Protective services
Report elder abuse to the Illinois Department of Aging: Adult Protective Services Hotline
1-866-800-1409
Home-delivered meals
City of Chicago Family & Support Services
chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/senior/svcs/home-delivered-meals.html
Meals on Wheels
mealsonwheelschicago.org or call: 312-744-4016
End-of-life resources
Aging with Dignity
agingwithdignity.org/five-wishes
Advance directives
dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/health-care-regulation/nursing-homes/advance-directives
Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatments
General information
The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services
chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/senior.html
Chicago Senior Services Hotline
312-744-4016 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Email: Aging@CityofChicago.org
For financial information, visit or call
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/educator-tools/resources-for-older-adults/
Social Security
ssa.gov or 1-800-772-1213
For Information on Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare
medicare.gov
1-800-633-4227
TTY users should call
1-877-486-2048.
Medicaid
Toll-Free: 877-267-2323
Local: 410-786-3000
TTY Toll-Free: 800-877-8339
TTY Local: 410-786-0727
Veterans’ Resources
Veterans Affairs
800-698-2411
Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
main phone: 312-569-8387
mental health care: 312-569-7225
LGBTQ+ Housing
SAGE
crisis hotline:
877-360-LGBT(5428)
Adult Day Care
CJE Senior Life
773-508-1000
Legal Assistance
Illinois Department on Aging
ilaging.illinois.gov/programs/legalassistance.html
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Information
Alzheimers Association
Alzheimer’s caregiving navigator
Dental Care
Chicago Dental Services Clinic for low-income dental care
University of Illinois-Chicago’s dental clinic offers reduced pricing
312-996-7555
Hearing Aid Assistance
Illinois Department of Human Services
idhhc.illinois.gov/resources1/hearingaidresources.html
Chicago Hearing Society Audiology Clinic
Prescription Assistance
Illinois Department on Aging
ilaging.illinois.gov/resources/prescriptiondrugassistance.html
1-800-252-8966 (711 TRS)
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
hfs.illinois.gov/medicalclients/health/prescriptions.html
1-800-825-3518 or 217-524-5983
TTY: 1-800-547-0466
