AgeOptions
The Area Agency on Aging for suburban Cook County. Caregiver support, benefits screening, info & referral, MoneyManagement, options counseling.
Chicagoland Caregiver Resource Guide
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Transport is one piece of the bigger picture. This guide collects the Chicagoland organizations that handle the rest — from information lines and caregiver support groups to in-home care, meal delivery, veterans services, and home modifications. Most are nonprofit or government; all serve our region.
Start Here
Four phone calls that unlock almost everything else.
If you’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin, start with one of these. Each connects you to a real person who can route you to the right local resource.
Eldercare Locator
1-800-677-1116
Federal service that connects you to your local Area Agency on Aging by ZIP code.
Illinois Senior HelpLine
1-800-252-8966
Run by the Illinois Department on Aging. Info & referral, benefits screening, abuse reporting.
Alzheimer’s Association Helpline
1-800-272-3900
Free, confidential, multilingual. For families navigating dementia at any stage.
AgeOptions
(708) 383-0258
Area Agency on Aging serving suburban Cook County. The first call for most of our riders’ families.
Information & Referral
Chicago Dept. of Family & Support Services — Senior Services
Area Agency on Aging for the City of Chicago. Six Regional Senior Centers, well-being checks, and the Chicago Senior Services hotline.
Lake County Senior Services
Lake County’s aging-services division. Senior programs, congregate meals, info & referral for Lake County residents.
Illinois Department on Aging
State agency that coordinates AAAs and runs the Illinois Senior HelpLine. Benefits, programs, ombudsman referrals.
Eldercare Locator
Public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging. Type your ZIP code, get connected to local services anywhere in the country.
Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Advocates for residents in nursing homes and assisted living. Confidential, free help with quality-of-care concerns.
Caregiver Support & Education
Alzheimer’s Association, Illinois Chapter
Free 24/7 helpline, support groups across Chicagoland, education programs, care consultations. The single most valuable resource for dementia caregivers.
CJE SeniorLife
Council for Jewish Elderly — serves seniors of all backgrounds. Caregiver support, adult day, in-home care, meals, residential options.
NAMI Chicago
Family-to-Family education program, support groups, helpline for families navigating mental illness. Trained peer instructors.
AARP Caregiver Resource Center
Online library of articles, planning tools, and a caregiving community forum. Strong on practical step-by-step guides.
Family Caregiver Alliance
Deep library on dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s. State-by-state navigator (the Family Care Navigator) helps surface local options.
Caregiver Action Network
Peer support, “Care Community” online forum, condition-specific resource pages. Free.
In-Home Care, Respite & Adult Day Programs
AgeOptions In-Home & Adult Day Referral
The AAA can refer you to vetted in-home care agencies, adult day services, and respite programs in suburban Cook County. Free options counseling.
CJE SeniorLife Adult Day Services
Adult day program with social engagement, meals, health monitoring. Locations in Chicago and Evanston.
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
In-home care, adult day services, residential care across Illinois. Sliding-scale fees available.
Catholic Charities of Chicago — Senior Services
Adult day services, home-delivered meals, transportation programs, case management. All faiths welcome.
Illinois Community Care Program (CCP)
State program providing in-home services for Medicaid-eligible older adults. Apply through your local AAA or Care Coordination Unit.
National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA)
Searchable directory of adult day centers nationwide. Filter by location, services offered, languages.
Disease-Specific Resources
Alzheimer’s Association, Illinois Chapter
24/7 helpline, support groups, early-stage social engagement programs, education for caregivers at every stage.
American Cancer Society — Road to Recovery
Volunteer-driver transportation program for cancer patients getting to treatment. Local availability varies; call to confirm coverage in your area.
Gilda’s Club Chicago
Free emotional and social support for cancer patients and their families. Support groups, workshops, kids’ programs.
National Kidney Foundation of Illinois
Patient education, peer mentor program, financial assistance for dialysis patients, transplant resources.
American Parkinson Disease Association — Illinois Chapter
Support groups, exercise classes, educational seminars, and a Chicago-area Information & Referral Center.
National MS Society — Greater Illinois Chapter
Navigators help families find local services, financial assistance, and connect with others living with multiple sclerosis.
Meals & Nutrition
Meals on Wheels Chicago
Home-delivered meals for homebound seniors in Chicago. Sliding fee scale; no one turned away for inability to pay.
CJE SeniorLife Kosher Meals on Wheels
Home-delivered kosher meals across Chicago and northern suburbs. Open to all faiths.
AgeOptions Nutrition Programs
Home-delivered meals and congregate dining sites across suburban Cook County. Call for the program serving your community.
Lake County Congregate & Home-Delivered Meals
Nutrition program for Lake County seniors. Congregate meal sites and home delivery for those who qualify.
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Connect with food pantries and home-delivery programs for seniors in need across Cook County. Searchable map by ZIP.
SNAP for Older Adults
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility and application help for seniors. Often underused; many qualify and don’t know.
Veterans Resources
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Full-service VA hospital on the West Side of Chicago. Caregiver Support Coordinator on staff. Beneficiary Travel office for transport reimbursement questions.
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital
Large VA facility serving western and southwestern suburbs. Caregiver Support Program, primary care, specialty services.
Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center
Combined VA & Navy facility serving veterans in Lake County and southern Wisconsin. Full caregiver support services.
VA Caregiver Support Line
National helpline for family caregivers of veterans. Education, peer support, referrals to local VA caregiver coordinators.
Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs
State-level benefits, four Illinois Veterans Homes (one in Manteno serves southern Chicagoland), Veteran Service Officers in most counties.
Veterans Crisis Line
Free, confidential 24/7 support for veterans and their families in crisis. Dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255.
Mobility, Equipment & Home Modifications
Access Living
Chicago’s Center for Independent Living. Advocacy, peer counseling, home modification consults, durable medical equipment guidance.
Progress Center for Independent Living
Forest Park-based CIL serving western Cook County. Independent-living skills, transition support, home accessibility help.
Lake County Center for Independent Living
Mundelein-based CIL serving Lake County. Independent-living services, advocacy, equipment guidance.
Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP)
Demonstrations of mobility and assistive devices, short-term loans of equipment to try before buying, financial-assistance referrals.
Illinois Home Accessibility Program (HAP)
Grants for home modifications (ramps, grab bars, accessible bathrooms) for income-eligible Illinoisans with disabilities. Apply through your local CIL.
Local Medical Equipment Loan Closets
Many parishes, civic groups, and Rotary clubs run free DME loan closets (walkers, commodes, wheelchairs). Ask your local AAA or hospital social worker for the closest one.
Where LumityCare fits
The orgs above handle care, information, equipment, and connection. We handle one piece of the puzzle: getting your loved one to and from medical appointments safely, on time, with dignity. If transport is on your list of caregiver concerns, we’d be honored to help with that part — so you can focus on the rest.