Springfield, Illinois, is best known as the state’s capital and birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. It has a large population with the feel of a smaller town. In addition to a vibrant downtown area, the southern part of Springfield offers access to Lake Springfield. This large reservoir is surrounded by wooded areas and features plenty of areas for boating and fishing. Seniors can find plenty to do, whether they prefer the outdoors or are more interested in history or the arts.
A Place for Mom partners with several assisted living communities in Springfield. Caregivers in assisted living communities offer residents support with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing. These communities also typically offer a range of on-site activities and amenities for social seniors to enjoy.
In this guide, you’ll find important information about assisted living in Springfield. We’ve gathered information about each of our partner communities in the area, what they offer, and how families pay for assisted living. You’ll also find information on ways to pay for care, assisted living regulations, health care options, available transportation, and activities in the area.
My loved one was previously a resident at Mill Creek Alzheimer's Special Care Center and most everything was great. Our overall experience was very good. Based on our experience, I would recommend Mill Creek...
I would like to see more activities. The staff is friendly but I would like to see more interaction from them. Maybe that happens & I just haven't witnessed it. My friend's toilet hasn't been cleaned in over...
The staff and nurses at Cedarhurst on Old Jacksonville road are excellent. They are very caring and personalble. The community is very welcoming and relaxed. The facility is clean and well appointed. The...
It was the Social Worker who decided that my mother cannot stay there anymore due to the doctor stating she needs more care and he wanted us to leave and take her out within one day and I told her no that we...
My dad started off at Centennial Point in March of 2022. The employees did everything possible to welcome dad and accommodate to some of his “set in my way” needs. After a few months, we moved him over to...
My mom has been at CC for 1 year. She has dementia and when she went she weighed 85 lbs now she eats 3 healthy meals a day and is so happy there. I don't think there is not anything CC would not do for her...
My sister was there as a respite patient for one month. It is a clean place with friendly staff. I picked this community because I live nearby.
We picked this community, because of the rural setting first of all. We knew that it would make dad more comfortable. The staff seemed nice and the place appeared clean and did not smell!! It was a nice...
When i first came to the community i got a great feeling about it. The staff has been very friendly and they always communicate very well. One thing that i really like is the positive atmosphere felt. My...
It seems like a well run community. The staff seem to be caring and engaging with the residents. They are flexible with the individual needs of each resident and they do not have a " one size fits all"...
I am very impressed with the care & compassion that the management & staff at Reflections Memory Care has shown to both my loved one & [I] (as the caretaker). They have been tremendous in helping with the...
We are very pleased with the Villa's assisted living program. I would recommend the facility.
Villas of South Park Chatham is a beautiful facility. The staff is caring and responds quickly to my loved one's needs. They offer a lot of activities, although not a lot to his particular interests. The...
What a great visit I had with my grandma's friend! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. The smell was so nice as we entered the building. I was very impressed, as a supportive living establishment it...
What a great place for me to move to after losing my husband. I have been here just 10 months and been in the rehab facility here twice for three weeks each time. Having such caring and kind people to help...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Springfield community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
The average cost of assisted living in the Springfield area is $4,907 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary data.[01] This figure reflects the actual monthly costs paid by seniors in Springfield. It includes their chosen add-ons and services, as well as base monthly costs.
Within our partner communities in the Springfield area, the following services and amenities are usually included in the monthly base cost:
Additional services and amenities are also available, but they may cost extra:
You can use the chart below to compare the baseline costs of communities across the greater Springfield area. Keep in mind that these costs won’t include additional services or care fees.
Many seniors and their families pay for assisted living in Springfield using a variety of sources. Common payment options include retirement income, savings, and private or public health insurance.
We’ve included information in this section on private pay options, as well as veterans benefits and public health care programs. You’ll also find local resources in the Springfield area that can help you navigate veterans benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare.
While long-term care insurance may cover medically necessary care services, private pay is the primary form of payment for monthly assisted living community costs. Private pay refers to any personal asset, such as savings or life insurance policies. Many families start with their own assets when creating a budget for long-term care.
Illinois doesn’t tax retirement income or Social Security benefits that have been taxed federally, which can be a nice savings.[02] Depending on your loved one’s situation, they may have several sources to draw from, such as those options listed below:
Number of veterans who live in Springfield
About 63% of Springfield veterans are over 65.
If your loved one is a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran, they may be eligible for benefits that they can put towards the cost of assisted living. While there are many benefits available, one of the most generous is the Aid and Attendance benefit. It can be added to a monthly VA Pension and used for anything that enhances quality of life, including assisted living expenses.
More than half of Springfield’s veteran population is retirement age, and the city has several resources to help veterans determine their eligibility for benefits. We recommend working with a benefits counselor at a veterans service organization (VSO) when applying. VSOs are nonprofit organizations vetted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and established to help veterans and their families access their entitled VA benefits.
In Springfield, seniors and their families can look to VSOs like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, County Veterans Service Officers, and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs for VA benefits counseling. You can find contact information and websites for your local Springfield, Illinois, veteran service organizations (VSOs) below.
Resources for Springfield veterans
1120 Sangamon Ave.
Springfield, IL 62702
Phone: 217-523-3415
Email: spfldpost32@outlook.com
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 755
2211 Old Jacksonville Rd.
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217-546-9515
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
IL Department of Veterans Affairs — Sangamon County
833 S. Spring St.
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217-557-0358 or 217-782-6645
Fax: 217-557-1428 or 217-557-1428
Email: carlos.english2@illinois.gov
Anthony.harrison@illinois.gov
Medicaid is federal health insurance for low-income individuals. It’s administered jointly by state and federal governments, so it will vary a little from one state to another. In Illinois, Medicaid is administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services and is sometimes referred to as Medical Assistance. The statewide Medicaid managed care program is called HealthChoice Illinois.
Medicaid won’t cover the cost of room and board in a private assisted living community. But, it will cover necessary medical care services at some assisted living facilities, such as:[04]
Illinois offers additional Medicaid programs that may be helpful to seniors.
Springfield seniors can apply for Medicaid benefits through the application for benefits eligibility (ABE) site.
Springfield resident Medicaid resources
AgeLinc Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland
2731 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217-787-9234
800-252-2918 (toll free)
Sangamon County Department of Public Health
2833 S. Grand Ave. East
Springfield, IL 62703
Main phone: 217-535-3100
888-217-3505 (toll free)
Long-term care ombudsman program
ICARE — Project Advocate
Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland
2731 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217-523-8419
800-842-8538 (toll free)
Medicare is the most common insurance for adults over 65 and is offered by the federal government. Many times, seniors and family members believe that Medicare will cover the cost of assisted living. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Medicare only covers medically necessary expenses as determined by Medicare and your loved one’s doctor. Medicare doesn’t pay for the cost of room and board in an assisted living community in Springfield. If you’re not sure whether an expense is covered, you can check using the Medicare coverage tool.
Illinois offers some Medicare programs that seniors may find helpful. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program helps seniors prevent and detect Medicare fraud on their account.
Illinois also offers a Medicare prescription drug plan. The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) can help seniors with HIV or AIDS with their medications. Eligible seniors must be enrolled in a Medicare drug plan (Medicare Part D) and work with participating pharmacies.
For benefits or information counseling, Illinois offers a Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP). This free statewide resource can help connect you or your loved one to a benefits counselor in Springfield. They can help explain Medicare benefits and your loved one’s coverage. Other resources in Springfield include the long-term care ombudsman, who can provide advocacy and assistance. The Illinois Department on Aging also has several Medicare webinars that can be viewed on their website.
Springfield resident Medicare resources
Long-term care ombudsman program
ICARE — Project Advocate
Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland
2731 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217-523-8419
800-842-8538 (toll free)
AgeLinc Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland
2731 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217-787-9234
800-252-2918 (toll free)
Find a Social Security Office in Springfield
3112 Constitution Dr.
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 1-877-279-9504
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
In Illinois, assisted living communities are licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Assisted Living. Assisted living communities are licensed as either Assisted Living Establishments or Shared Housing Establishments. Once an Assisted Living Establishment or Shared Housing Establishment receives an initial license, the Department of Public Health will conduct annual inspections.
These two types of communities offer similar amount of care, but have a couple of key differences.
Assisted Living Establishments:[07]
Shared Housing Establishments:[07]
Both Assisted Living Establishments and Shared Housing Establishments also have assessment requirements that must be completed before a new resident moves in. New senior residents are assessed in the following areas before moving into an assisted living facility:[07]
The initial comprehensive assessments must be completed by a physician. Residents are then required to have assessments annually, but may need more frequent assessments for things like skin integrity and nutritional health.
Illinois has several services that assisted living establishments must provide. Mandatory services include:[07]
For additional information, look to the Illinois Department of Public Health assisted living page, which has a comprehensive outline of the laws that facilities must follow to keep their license. This website also has a downloadable spreadsheet of all licensed Assisted Living Establishments and Shared Housing Establishments in the state.
Illinois Department of Public Health contact information
Illinois Department of Public Health website
Springfield Headquarters Office
525-535 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62761
Phone: 217-782-4977
Illinois doesn’t have COVID-19 regulations for assisted living communities. Illinois does, however, offer guidance on reporting COVID-19 outbreaks for assisted living facilities: Communities are required to report outbreaks if they have one confirmed case of COVID-19 and other residents with similar symptoms.[08]
Springfield boasts a rich history as the heart of the Land of Lincoln. With its historic charm, scenic views of Lake Springfield, and a population of more than 110,000, seniors can find a variety of activities and entertainment to enjoy.
Below we’ve outlined details about what you can expect from our partner assisted living communities in Springfield. You’ll get insights into on-site care services, activities, amenities, and more.
The majority of our partner communities in Springfield offer one type of care: assisted living. You’ll occasionally find a community that has on-site memory care or independent living as an option, but for the most part, our partner communities focus on offering general personal care assistance.
You can expect Springfield’s assisted living communities to provide the following types of health care services on-site:
The majority of our partner communities also offer additional medical care services on-site, such as:
Springfield’s assisted living communities offer a variety of activities and amenities for residents to enjoy. Across our partner communities in Springfield, some of the most common activities include:[01]
You’ll also find the following on-site amenities across most of our partner communities:
Know where to start.
Identify the right care for your loved one with our free assessment.
See what you can afford.
Understand cost and payment for long-term care based on your loved one's needs.
Find top facilities for you.
Free, personalized guidance from our Senior Living Advisors can help you narrow your search.
Tour your favorite facilities.
Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Number of seniors over the age of 65 living in Springfield as of 2021
Percentage of seniors over the age of 65 with a bachelor’s degree or higher in Springfield as of 2021
Average annual retirement income of seniors over the age of 65 in Springfield in 2021
Springfield has several hospitals in the area. We’ve included details for the top two in Springfield below.
This hospital was ranked highly by U.S. News and World Report for heart conditions that may be important to seniors, including heart failure and heart bypass surgery.
U.S. News and World Report ranked this hospital as high performing for several procedures, including lung cancer and colon cancer surgeries, back surgery, and hip and knee replacements.
Springfield seniors have several transportation options available to them at our partner assisted living facilities. For seniors who still enjoy driving, the majority of our partner communities also have resident parking available. Residents can take advantage of complimentary transportation services for group or individual outings, which are offered by most of our partner communities.[01]
Springfield’s major form of public transportation is Sangamon Mass Transit District (SMTD). Seniors are eligible for a reduced fare ID, which allows them to use any fixed route for half the price of a normal fee. SMTD’s Access Sangamon is an alternative transportation for those who can’t use fixed routes. This program requires an application, which can be filled out online.
Some Springfield neighborhoods are easily walkable, including the downtown area, Enos Park, and Old Aristocracy Hill. The following scores can help you get an idea of what navigating Springfield is like. Scores are calculated out of a possible 100 points, with higher numbers indicating an easier ability to walk or bike. The area’s infrastructure, available walk and bike routes, and public density can affect the scores.[10]
As the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, Springfield unsurprisingly has many historic attractions and museums. But the city offers many other activities, several of which cater to senior audiences. The options we’ve selected have accessibility options to make sure every visitor can have a good time.
Carriage Crossing Rochester, Carriage Crossing Taylorville and Mill Creek Alzheimer's Special Care Center are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Springfield, IL. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Springfield is $4,751 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Illinois Revenue. Does Illinois tax my pension, Social Security, or retirement income? Illinois.gov.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Springfield. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Medical programs.
Illinois Department of Human Services. Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD).
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Illinois persons who are elderly waiver.
Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Compiled Statutes. Health Facilities and Regulation (210 ILCS 9/): Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act.
Illinois Department of Public Health. Reporting COVID-19.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Springfield. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Springfield.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Illinois Revenue. Does Illinois tax my pension, Social Security, or retirement income? Illinois.gov.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Springfield. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Medical programs.
Illinois Department of Human Services. Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD).
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Illinois persons who are elderly waiver.
Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Compiled Statutes. Health Facilities and Regulation (210 ILCS 9/): Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act.
Illinois Department of Public Health. Reporting COVID-19.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Springfield. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Springfield.