Springfield, Illinois, offers several senior care options for its residents. Many people use the term “nursing home” to refer to all types of senior living, but a nursing home — or a shorter-term option called “skilled nursing facility” — provides the highest level of care. Nursing home residents typically require round-the-clock monitoring for serious medical conditions.
If your loved one doesn’t require this type of care, you may wish to consider other senior living options. You can find several assisted living communities and a few memory care communities in Springfield’s partner network. Residents in assisted living facilities receive support with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, as well as social activities, amenities, and more. In memory care communities, residents receive specialized care in a safe, secure environment. In Springfield, the average monthly cost of living in an assisted living community is $4,907, while the average monthly cost of a memory care facility is $6,363.
In this guide, you’ll learn about our partner assisted living and memory care communities in Springfield, plus more information on senior care costs, how Springfield seniors pay for care, local resources, and regulations of the different care types in Springfield.
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...
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...
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...
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"...
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.
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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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
Nursing homes are the most expensive type of senior care due to the advanced medical needs of the residents and the on-site medical care provided. In 2021, the median cost of a semi-private room in a Springfield nursing home was $6,965 per month, while a private room cost $8,380 per month.[01]
While costs will vary depending on your loved one’s unique needs, you can expect nursing home costs to include the following:
Seniors who don’t require skilled nursing care may live more comfortably and less expensively in an assisted living or memory care community. According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data on its partners, the average monthly cost families paid for an assisted living community is $4,907. The average monthly cost of living in a partner memory care community is $6,363.[02] These figures reflect actual monthly costs that seniors who used our referral service paid to their community, and they include their chosen add-ons and services in addition to the base cost.
As with nursing homes, individual costs vary based on care needs and add-on services. However, you can expect assisted living and memory care costs to include the following:
Seniors can pay for care through many options. In fact, many seniors and their families rely on a combination of both private and public sources. We’ve included information and local resources to help you understand the payment methods available for nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care.
Many seniors and their families begin with private pay when deciding how to pay. This can include retirement income, savings, pensions, and more. Keep in mind that while private funds are a good starting place, you can combine them with some public payment options.
The below are all considered private pay options.
Number of veterans who live in Springfield
About 63% of Springfield veterans are over 65.
Veterans or their surviving spouses may qualify for benefits that can help cover the cost of long-term care. There’s a wide range of benefits available, but the Aid and Attendance benefit is one of the most generous. It can be added to an existing VA Pension, and the recipient can put these funds toward any expense that improves their quality of life, including a nursing home, assisted living community, or memory care facility.
Springfield offers several resources that veterans and their families can turn to for help applying and understanding benefits. We recommend working with veterans service organizations (VSOs) as these are nonprofit and VA-vetted organizations. Since applying for benefits can be a complicated process, it’s important to receive guidance. Many veterans have conditions that qualify them for benefits. A benefits counselor can help your loved one make sure they’re collecting any benefit they may be eligible for and entitled to.
In Springfield, veterans can look to the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Springfield also has government offices, including the county veteran service officers and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. We’ve included contact information for these organizations 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 Road
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217-546-9515
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
County Veterans Service Officers: Sangamon County
901 S. 11th St.
Springfield, IL 62703
IL Department of Veterans Affairs — Sangamon County
833 S. Spring St.
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217-557-0358
Fax: 217-557-1428
Email: carlos.english2@illinois.gov
Anthony.harrison@illinois.gov
In Illinois, Medicaid is sometimes referred to as Medical Assistance, and the statewide Medicaid managed care program is HealthChoice Illinois. Medicaid offers health insurance for low-income seniors and is jointly administered by the federal and state governments.
If your loved one requires a nursing home level of care, Illinois may cover nursing home care as long as they meet the following requirements:[04]
Keep in mind that while nursing home care may be paid for by Medicaid, the same isn’t true of care in assisted living or a memory care community. However, Springfield seniors may be able to use other Medicaid programs and waivers to help offset the cost of their care.
Medicaid doesn’t cover the cost of room and board in an assisted living or memory care community. However, it may be able to offset some of the medical costs by paying for other expenses.
Necessary medical expenses covered by Medicaid include:[05]
Springfield seniors can also find assistance through the following programs and home and community based services (HCBS) waivers:
For assistance navigating or applying for Medicaid benefits or waivers, we’ve compiled a list of local resources. These include the AgeLinc Area on Aging office, Sangamon county Department of Public Health, and long-term care ombudsman program.
Springfield resident Medicaid resources
AgeLinc Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland
2731 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217-787-9234
Toll-free: 800-252-2918
Sangamon County Department of Public Health
2833 S. Grand Ave. East
Springfield, IL 62703
Main phone: 217-535-3100
Toll-free: 888-217-3505
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
Toll-free: 800-842-8538
Medicare is health insurance offered by the federal government, and it’s the most common health insurance for Americans over 65. It’s broken into the following parts:
While Medicare does cover skilled nursing, this doesn’t mean that it will completely pay for long-term care in a nursing home. Medicare covers a maximum of 100 days — to varying degrees — of skilled nursing home care in Springfield’s skilled nursing facilities. Medicare fully covers the first 20 days in a skilled nursing facility, but after that it’s only partially covered. After 100 days, Medicare doesn’t cover skilled nursing care.
For temporary nursing care to be covered, your loved one will need to meet the following requirements:[09]
Many seniors and their families mistakenly believe that Medicare will cover the cost of care in an assisted living or memory care community. However, this simply isn’t the case. Medicare only pays for medically necessary expenses, and it doesn’t consider room and board in one of these types of communities to be medically necessary. It may help mitigate some of the costs of medical care at an assisted living or memory care facility, as long as your loved one qualifies for the applicable programs.
Springfield seniors can take advantage of several Medicare programs in the area that may make Medicare easier to navigate. Illinois offers a prescription drug plan to help seniors with HIV or AIDS through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). It can help seniors obtain necessary medicines more easily through participating pharmacies, provided they’re enrolled in a Medicare drug plan.
The state offers additional resources, too, for benefits and information counseling. The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) connects seniors with benefits counselors in Springfield for free. They can explain Medicare benefits and answer questions about coverage. Springfield’s long-term care ombudsman program provides seniors with assistance and advocacy in applying for and understanding their Medicare benefits. We’ve included contact information for these resources below.
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
Toll free: 800-842-8538
AgeLinc Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland
2731 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217-787-9234
Toll free: 800-252-2918
Springfield Social Security Office
3112 Constitution Dr.
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 1-877-279-9504
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) licenses nursing homes in the state. Along with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the IDPH ensures that nursing homes that accept Medicare and Medicaid as payment options meet federal regulations and certification rules.[10]
Nursing homes must meet certain regulations and requirements to maintain their license. These include but aren’t limited to:[11]
The IDPH conducts regular licensure inspections, or surveys, of nursing homes every six to 15 months. These surveys usually take three to four days, during which time the IDPH looks at the following areas:[10]
Inspections aren’t scheduled, so facilities don’t have a chance to prepare for them. Nursing homes with many or frequent complaints are inspected more often.[10] Springfield seniors can check recent nursing home violations by visiting the IDPH’s quarterly reports of nursing home violators.
You can view results of all nursing home inspections on Medicare’s nursing home compare tool. Typing in your ZIP code or city will show the nursing homes nearest you and their star rating. You can also search by facility name.
The IDPH also regulates assisted living communities, which are licensed as either Assisted Living Establishments or Shared Housing Establishments. Assisted living communities aren’t able to provide the same level of care as a nursing home does, as they don’t offer the advanced medical care available at skilled nursing facilities.
To help ensure that new residents can live comfortably in an assisted living community, they receive a comprehensive care assessment. After an initial assessment, annual assessments are conducted to help ensure that each resident’s care needs don’t exceed what the community can provide.[12] For more information, visit our comprehensive guide to assisted living in Springfield.
Some assisted living communities in Springfield are licensed to provide memory care. These communities must meet additional requirements, especially for the staff. The community administrator and all of the direct care staff must complete dementia care training and receiving continuing education to provide care that meets best practice requirements.[12]
Illinois Department of Public Health website
Springfield Headquarters Office
525-535 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62761
Phone: 217-782-4977
Illinois doesn’t currently have regulations for assisted living communities regarding COVID-19. It does require assisted living communities to report outbreaks, however. Communities must report COVID-19 cases if they have one confirmed case and other residents with similar symptoms.[13]
Nursing homes in Springfield do need to adhere to Illinois’ COVID regulations. You can find full COVID-19 guidelines for nursing homes on the IDPH’s long-term care facilities guidance page. In some cases, such as with masking policies, nursing homes may have their own guidance for visitors that will need to be followed.[14]
Masking. When hospital admissions of COVID-19 are high, masking is recommended for all staff, residents, and visitors in common areas until there are no new cases for 14 days.
Facility cleanliness. Nursing homes should have dedicated medical equipment for residents with COVID-19. Rooms of residents who had COVID-19 should be disinfected.
Springfield offers a unique history as the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. Residents can enjoy the historical sites and the atmosphere of a small town while taking advantage of many of the amenities you’d find in a large city.
Below you’ll find detailed information on what to expect from nursing homes in the area and how they compare to your other senior care options.
A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with skilled nursing facilities, which offer the highest level of care to seniors. Nursing homes are the best fit for seniors with serious or chronic medical conditions that require 24/7 medical oversight. Skilled nursing facilities provide:
Many seniors who need some daily assistance don’t require nursing care and can live quite comfortably in an assisted living or memory care community.
Seniors who would benefit from support with activities of daily living but don’t require 24/7 medical care would likely find a good fit in assisted living or memory care facilities. Our partner communities don’t offer on-site skilled nursing, but they do provide some advanced care services.
The majority of our partner assisted living and memory communities in Springfield provide the following:
Many communities do also provide more advanced care services. These include:
Seniors experiencing Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia can especially benefit from living in a memory care community. Of our partner assisted living communities, 29% offer memory care on-site. We also have one stand-alone memory care community in our Springfield network. Caregivers in memory care communities receive specialized and ongoing training to care for seniors with dementia.
Springfield brings a small-town feel to its population of more than 110,000. While Springfield’s assisted living and memory care communities don’t offer luxe amenities, they’re up to date without being flashy. The majority of our partner communities are pet friendly and offer a robust selection of activities coordinated by an activities director. Seniors can expect a focus on cultivating a sense of community through parties, karaoke, and picnics. Many facilities offer special interest clubs, opportunities for education, day trips, and live performances.
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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
Many Springfield seniors — 34% over 65 — hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Average annual retirement income of seniors over the age of 65 in Springfield in 2021
Springfield has two hospitals within the city. Both are located in the heart of downtown Springfield with networks for outpatient services. Springfield is also home to Southern Illinois University Medicine, a multi-specialty physician group. We’ve included details for these hospitals below.
U.S. News and World Report rates this as the top hospital in Springfield. It ranks highly in heart failure care and heart bypass surgery.
This hospital performs well in several procedures that may be important for seniors, including hip and knee replacements. U.S. News and World Report also notes its performance in lung and colon cancer surgeries.
All of our partner assisted living and memory care communities offer transportation to residents. Of those communities, 75% provide complimentary transportation, and 25% offer transportation at cost.[02] This can be not only helpful and convenient to senior residents, but also safer. For seniors with memory loss, it’s especially beneficial to have transportation options they can trust. Drivers are aware of the needs that their senior passengers have and can offer necessary assistance.
Overall, Springfield is largely a car-dependent city. There are some walkable areas, particularly in downtown Springfield. Visiting family members without a car may be able to use Sangamon Mass Transit District (SMTD). Should seniors over 65 need to use this service, they’re eligible for a reduced fare ID, which allows them to travel for half price. SMTD’s Access Sangamon provides alternative transportation for riders who can’t easily use a fixed-route bus service.
Historical attractions abound in Springfield, with many sites honoring our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. But Lincolnland offers much more than its history. There’s a wide range of activities that appeal to seniors, whether your loved one enjoys the arts or the outdoors. We’ve outlined several of the most popular options below. You’ll find that the majority of these provide accessibility options so that everyone can enjoy them.
Carriage Crossing Rochester, Carriage Crossing Taylorville and Mill Creek Alzheimer's Special Care Center are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Springfield, IL. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Springfield is $4,751 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Springfield. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Long term care.
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. Resident fact sheet.
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Illinois persons who are elderly waiver.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Skilled nursing facility care. Medicare.gov.
Illinois Department of Public Health. Who regulates nursing homes?
Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Compiled Statutes. Health facilities and regulation (210 ILCS 45/) nursing home care act.
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.
Illinois Department of Public Health. (2023, May 25). Updated interim guidance for nursing homes following the end of the public health emergency.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Springfield. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Springfield. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Long term care.
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. Resident fact sheet.
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Illinois persons who are elderly waiver.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Skilled nursing facility care. Medicare.gov.
Illinois Department of Public Health. Who regulates nursing homes?
Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Compiled Statutes. Health facilities and regulation (210 ILCS 45/) nursing home care act.
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.
Illinois Department of Public Health. (2023, May 25). Updated interim guidance for nursing homes following the end of the public health emergency.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Springfield. [Data set]. American Community Survey.