9 Best Independent Living Communities in Charleston, IL

Independent Living

For many seniors, the cost burden of home ownership might deter them from enjoying an otherwise independent lifestyle. Independent Living Communities provide a great remedy. Food preparation, leisure activities and housekeeping chores are taken care of for you while you are able to use your time as you choose. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy the opportunity to be among peers, in a community with others of similar age groups and backgrounds. Typically comprised of a private living space and a full kitchen, these communities offer residences with many of the amenities of apartment life but without the hassle. Guests can be invited over and entertained, and there will be more time to spend with them with the basic maintenance of daily chores out of the way. While policies differ between communities, a number of residences allow cats and dogs as well. Nursing and health care services can always be arranged for with independent care providers as desired. There are a number of benefits and expenses to keep in mind while selecting an independent living community. It is important to figure out if these amenities are included in your care plan: wellness program, parking, meals, initial assessment fee, internet access, Waiting list deposit, utilities, and field trips. The conveniences associated with independent living include healthcare center, laundry service, private rental hall, beauty salon & barber shop, community activities, security guards, game/TV room, and golf course.

Cost of Living

The cost of care for a community is affected by the neighborhood where it is located. The rent burden for Charleston is around 13.6% of the average person’s monthly income. Charleston has a median home value of around $93,214 and the median cost of rent is about $693 per month per month.

Demographics and Values

Out of the total city population, 46.7% are male and 53.3% are female. The median age of Charleston is 25 years old. Racially, the population of Charleston is 7.6% black, 0.3% Native American, 2.7% Asian, 3.8% Hispanic, 0.6% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 86.3% white, 0.2% other or not specified, and 2.3% mixed race. In Charleston, 13.6% have some form of disability, 33.5% live in poverty, 58.2% participate in the labor force, and 9.7% do not have health insurance. In Charleston, 6.4% of the citizens are veterans of the United States military. Currently, the population of Charleston consists of 20,968 people and in total the Charleston metro area has a population of 20,996. Charleston has a population density of 920 people per square mile. In terms of education, 17.7% have a graduate degree, 35.0% have a college degree, and 25.4% have a high-school diploma.

State Information

An overview of Illinois

Based on natural beauty, Illinois ranks 43rd in the nation. In total, Illinois has 199 general hospitals and 383 health centers that provide care for 12,696,123 citizens. The three highest ranked hospitals in Illinois are Sherman Hospital, Sam Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Centralia, and And Midwestern Region Medical Center. In terms of resources, Illinois has a cost of living index of 95.7, a grocery index rating of 94.2, and a housing index rating of 87.2. These index ratings are based on a system where 100 is considered the national average and anything below 100 is considered less expensive than the national average. The quality of life enjoyed by the average Illinois citizen is ranked 35th nation-wide. Additionally, Illinois is ranked 22nd by standards of healthcare.

Social demographics of the state

The state of Illinois ranks 10th in the country for diversity, and the state is considered LGBTQ friendly. In terms of religion, 34% of Illinois residents attend religious services among the 12,453 different congregations that are available in the state. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-2%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%, with the most common Christian denominations consisting of Evangelical Protestant-20%, Mainline Protestant-16%, and Historically Black Protestant-7%. In Illinois there are 518 masonic lodges. In Illinois, 29% of the population is over the age of 55. The median age in the state is 38. During the latest presidential election, 39% voted for the Republican candidate while 56% voted for the Democratic candidate.

State-wide weather information

On average, the humidity rating for Illinois is around 71%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of December at around 78%. On average, Illinois has an air quality index rating of around 37.7 AQI. The highest seasonal air quality index rating occurs in the month of May with a rating of 54.5 AQI. The average temperature in the summer rises to around 73F. Over the summer months the average high temperature peaks at around 91F during the month of July. In the summer, the average low temperature drops to around 53F during the month of June. During the winter, the average temperature in Illinois drops to around 28F. The average high winter temperature is around 49F in the month of February. The average low temperature during the winter drops to around 10F in the month of January. On average, the state receives 3.33 inches of precipitation a month. The average amount of precipitation peaks during the month of May at around 6.02 inches. While residents of Illinois mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Illinois can include floods, earthquakes (moderate), and and tornadoes.

Wildlife to be found in Illinois

The state of Illinois has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of bloodroot, blazing star, black eyedSusan, and aromatic aster. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the American black bear, the eastern red bat, the American pygmy shrew, or the cougar. The state animal of Illinois is the white-tailed deer.