Why this matters
In-home support often delays a move and reduces caregiver burnout when started before crisis.
Warning signs
- Help needed with bathing, dressing, or toileting
- Caregiver working full time or exhausted
- Unsafe hours during the day
- Frequent missed medications or meals
What families can do
- Decide which specific hours and tasks need coverage
- Compare agency care with private hire, including backup coverage and supervision
- Ask about dementia-specific caregiver training
- Explore the Illinois Community Care Program through your Area Agency on Aging
- Check long-term care insurance and VA benefits
When to get help
- Start with your Area Agency on Aging for eligibility screening
- Ask the clinician whether Medicare home health services apply after a hospitalization
Medically reviewed. Last reviewed August 2026. This page is educational information, not individualized medical advice.