Aging in Place Checklist for Illinois: Safety, Legal, and Financial Readiness

A Practical Readiness Assessment

Most families don't plan for aging in place — they react to a fall, a hospitalization, or a slow decline that finally crosses a threshold. This checklist is designed to be used before the crisis, but it works at any stage. Walk through each section to identify which pieces are already in place and which gaps need immediate attention.

Part 1: Home Safety Evaluation

Bathroom (highest-risk room in the house):

• Grab bars installed at the toilet and inside the shower or tub
• Non-slip mat or textured surface in the shower/tub
• Shower bench or transfer seat available
• Handheld showerhead for seated bathing
• Raised toilet seat if the senior has difficulty with transfers
• Adequate lighting — no dark corners

Entryways and walkways:

• Zero-step entry or a ramp at the primary entrance
• Doorways wide enough for a walker or wheelchair (32 inches minimum)
• All throw rugs removed or secured with non-slip backing
• Motion-activated nightlights in hallways and stairways
• Handrails on both sides of any staircase

Kitchen:

• Frequently used items stored at counter height (no overhead reaching)
• Lever-style faucet handles
• Automatic stove shut-off device if there are memory concerns
• Non-slip flooring

General:

• Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on every level
• Emergency numbers posted in large print by the phone
• Clear path from bedroom to bathroom (no furniture obstacles)
• Phone or medical alert device accessible from bed

Part 2: Legal Document Status

These documents should be executed while your parent still has capacity. Once cognitive decline progresses past a certain point, the POA route closes and you're looking at court-appointed guardianship — a process that costs thousands and takes months.

• Healthcare Power of Attorney (755 ILCS 45/Art. IV): Signed before at least one witness who is at least 18 years old (the witness cannot be the agent, a successor agent, a parent, sibling, or descendant of the principal or their spouses, or a treating healthcare provider). Notarization is not required but strengthens cross-state acceptance.
• Property Power of Attorney (755 ILCS 45/Art. III): Signed before one witness who is at least 18 years old and is not the agent, a successor agent, a parent, sibling, or descendant of the principal or their spouses, and notarized. The notary and witness must be different people. If real estate transactions may be needed, file with the County Recorder of Deeds.
• POLST form: If your parent has a terminal or serious chronic condition, discuss the Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment with their physician. This is a medical order, not a legal document — it must be signed by a licensed practitioner and the patient or agent.

Verify that the designated agents are current — an ex-spouse or a deceased sibling listed as primary agent invalidates the document's practical utility.

Part 3: Financial Eligibility Screen

Run a preliminary check against CCP/Medicaid waiver financial standards:

• Non-exempt assets: Add up checking accounts, savings, stocks, mutual funds, CDs, and cash-value life insurance. If the total is $17,500 or less, the financial gate for CCP is likely met.
• Exempt assets: Confirm the primary residence (equity under $752,000), one vehicle, personal belongings, and any pre-paid irrevocable burial plan. These are not counted.
• Monthly income: Below $1,330/month meets the single-applicant income limit for the Medicaid waiver. Above $1,330/month with assets under $17,500 still qualifies for CCP (no income ceiling, sliding-scale copay).
• If married: The community spouse can retain up to $143,172 in countable assets (2026 CSRA) and $4,066.50/month in income (2026 CSMNA).

If assets are above $17,500, a legitimate spend-down — pre-paid burial, home repairs, outstanding medical bills — may bring them under the threshold. Consult an elder law attorney before making transfers within the five-year Medicaid look-back window.

Part 4: Care Assessment Readiness

When you call the Senior HelpLine (1-800-252-8966) or contact the regional CCU directly, the assessment process begins. Gather these documents before the case manager's visit:

• Proof of Illinois residency (utility bill, state ID)
• Medicare and any supplemental insurance cards
• List of current diagnoses and medications
• Social Security award letter and pension statements
• Five years of bank statements (for Medicaid; CCP requires only current asset verification)
• Any existing POA documents

During the in-home DON assessment, the case manager evaluates fifteen functional categories. The family member present should describe the senior's worst day, not their best — the assessment measures unmet need, and understating the difficulty creates a score that doesn't reflect reality.

Putting the Checklist to Work

Check the boxes you can address immediately (grab bars, rug removal, document execution). Flag the ones that need professional input (asset structuring, trust review, complex modifications). And call the Senior HelpLine to start the CCU assessment — the process takes 30 to 75 days from first contact to active services, so starting early protects against being caught in a crisis with nothing in place.

The Illinois home care guide expands every section of this checklist into a complete action plan — DON preparation strategy, CCP enrollment walkthrough, and the full financial planning framework for Illinois's programs.

See more Illinois guides →