Home Care In Warrenville, IL

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Warrenville Historical Society City Museum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Warrenville, IL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

Home Care Services

Home Care in Warrenville, IL
The Always Best Care Difference
Types of In-home Care in Warrenville, IL
Benefits of Home Care in Warrenville, IL
Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors
Affordable Care Plans
Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers
Assisted Living Referral Services
Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

Service Areas

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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Elderly Care for Dave M.

“The team was fantastic. The young lady that came to my home was attentive and”

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In-home Care for Kimberly A.

“I have been with Always Best Care for a year now and I can honestly”

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Home Care Services for Sabeen K.

“great service”

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In-home Care for Cassandra C.

“They have good service and are very open to different people”

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Home Care Services for Nanette C.

“You can tell this service truly cares about their clients and clients’ families. They wanted”

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Elderly Care for Tereya G.

“5 Star ⭐️ rating for working for and with Always Best it’s so flexible, and”

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Dave M.

Kimberly A.

Sabeen K.

Cassandra C.

Nanette C.

Tereya G.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Warrenville, IL?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Types of Elderly Care in Warrenville, IL

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

Eating
Mobility Issues
Incontinence

Bathing
Dressing
Grooming

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Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

Medication Reminders
Meal Preparation
Pet Care
Prescription Refills

Morning Wake-Up
Walking
Reading

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Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Warrenville Grove with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

Grocery Shopping
Transportation to Appointments
Nutritional Assistance
Conversation

Planning Outings
Completing Errands
Transportation to Community
Events and Social Outings

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Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Eddie Merlot's or visit Revolutionary War Patriot Israel Warner grave, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

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Benefits of Home Care in Warrenville, IL

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Age in Place

According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.

Peace of Mind

If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.

Socialization

Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.

Personalized Care Plan

No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Warrenville, IL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IL's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.

Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Warrenville, IL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

Housekeeping
Laundry
Recreational Activities
Social Outings
Emergency Medical Response
Medication Monitoring
Family Visitation
Personal Care

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

Warrenville Horizon
Golden Haven Senior Living
The Springs at Monarch Landing
HarborChase of Naperville
The Auberge at Naperville
Lilac House Senior Living

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Warrenville, IL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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Tornado tears through western suburbs Friday night, marking 14th in Chicago area this week

CHICAGO (WLS) -- While most of the damage has been cleaned up, neighbors said the storm moved quickly, downing trees and power lines as people took cover in their homes.Torrential rain pounded the western suburbs as an EF-0 tornado moved through DuPage County on Friday night.The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado went from Warrenville to Wheaton to Glen Ellyn.High winds uprooted a decades-old tree that Ron Whitfield planted in his Glen Ellyn front yard nearly 52 years ago, when he and his family moved in....

CHICAGO (WLS) -- While most of the damage has been cleaned up, neighbors said the storm moved quickly, downing trees and power lines as people took cover in their homes.

Torrential rain pounded the western suburbs as an EF-0 tornado moved through DuPage County on Friday night.

The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado went from Warrenville to Wheaton to Glen Ellyn.

High winds uprooted a decades-old tree that Ron Whitfield planted in his Glen Ellyn front yard nearly 52 years ago, when he and his family moved in.

"'Wow,' I said to my wife, 'Our tree is gone,'" Whitfield said. "My neighbors to the west and to the east had big trees, and they're gone out of choice. So, I didn't have a say in this one."

High also damaged power lines.

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O'Hare passengers took shelter in underground walkways Friday evening during severe storm warnings.

"Trees, everything blowing everywhere, then a big boom. Power went out," said Jack Casino, who lives in Wheaton.

Michael LaBianco, who lives in Warrenville, spoke with ABC7 while working on a generator, because his power went out, too.

"It was pretty quick and pretty strong," LaBianco said. "I looked out the basement window, and all these trees in here were bent sideways, and I hadn't seen anything like in a long time."

Linda DeCosta, another Warrenville resident, recalled the moment her power went out.

"We were just cooking dinner, and the power went off, and you just felt this weird feeling, like somethings going on," DeCosta said. "A good reminder of nature, and we need to take it seriously, because you just don't know."

DeKalb County was also battered by the storm, with some downed trees and branches littering the streets in Plano overnight.

A tree fell onto a home belonging to Yessenia Rodriguez's neighbor.

"With the strong winds and everything, it just made the tree fall over, the limbs and everything. It's kind of bad," Rodriguez said.

For the most part, power has been restored in this area and, thankfully, there are no reports of any injuries.

"It's just a tree, and when I look at what other people have to endure, I'm pretty lucky. I'm pretty lucky. We're pretty lucky," Whitfield said.

ABC7 Meteorologist Phil Schwarz said while the rotation was not as tight and the wind speeds not as strong as the system that produced 13 confirmed tornado touchdowns earlier this week.

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A severe thunderstorm watch is in place for parts of the Chicago suburbs as a line of potentially severe storms moves closer.

There were 13 confirmed tornadoes that touched down in parts of the Chicago area Wednesday:

1. Burr Ridge to Stickney: EF 1

2. Elgin: EF-1

3. Huntley: EF-1

4. Elgin: EF-0

5. Oswego: EF-0

6. Barrington: EF-0

7. Long Grove: EF-0

8. Carol Stream to Glendale Heights: EF-0

9. Itasca to O'Hare: EF-0

10. O'Hare to Des Plaines: EF-0

11. Streamwood: EF-0

12. Schaumburg: EF-0

13. Loves Park in Caledonia Township/Boone County: EF-0

Those in need of housing are being encouraged to contact the American Red Cross of Illinois.

Chicago Weather Alert: At least 2 tornadoes confirmed in Chicago suburbs

CHICAGO (CBS)-- At least two tornadoes touched down in suburban Joliet and Naperville Monday, according to the National Weather Service.A wave of severe storms washed over suburban Chicago and Northwest Indiana on Monday, triggering tornado warnings that are relatively rare for late February.Video posted on social media showed damage from a potential tornado that was reported near Joliet on County Line Road and Townsend at 10:34 a.m.The warnings started in DuPage County and swept east in...

CHICAGO (CBS)-- At least two tornadoes touched down in suburban Joliet and Naperville Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

A wave of severe storms washed over suburban Chicago and Northwest Indiana on Monday, triggering tornado warnings that are relatively rare for late February.

Video posted on social media showed damage from a potential tornado that was reported near Joliet on County Line Road and Townsend at 10:34 a.m.

The warnings started in DuPage County and swept east into Indiana. There were reports of downed trees and fence damage.

The tornado warnings were also issued for Newton, Jasper, Porter, and LaPorte counties in Indiana. The warnings expired around 11:15 a.m. in Newton, Jasper and Porter and were in effect until noon in LaPorte and 12:45 p.m. in Benton.

A tornado watch was in effect until 4 p.m. for several counties south of Kankakee has been canceled.

A flood advisory is in effect for Cook, DuPage and Will counties until 2 p.m. The warning has been extended to areas near the Des Plaines River.

A tornado touchdown was reported in Warrenville at 9:56 a.m. near Washington Street and Warrenville Road near the Herrick Lake Forest Preserve.

A tornado warning in DuPage Count included Wheaton, Carol Stream and Naperville. Metra trains in the area were temporarily stopped due to the warning, which expired around 10:15.

According to the National Weather Service, a severe thunderstorm "capable of producing a tornado" was reported in Warrenville and Naperville.

In Joliet, fire officials are working to remove trees downed by the storms on Kendall Ridge and Townsend boulevards. Fences in the area have also been damaged.

A tornado was confirmed in Champaign, Illinois. Matt Reardon shared this video on Twitter.

This is a developing story.

Dangerous chemical spill evacuates Warrenville apartment complex

DUPAGE COUNTY - A dangerous chemical spill in the western suburbs prompted a HAZMAT response Thursday evening, when a toxic an...

DUPAGE COUNTY - A dangerous chemical spill in the western suburbs prompted a HAZMAT response Thursday evening, when a toxic and deadly gas was accidentally concocted during routine pool maintenance.

Just before 5:30 p.m., the Warrenville Fire Department responded to The Westlyn apartment complex in the 28000 block of Diehl Road.

The call was soon upgraded to a box alarm, prompting a response from HAZMAT technicians in surrounding communities, officials said.

Fire officials confirmed that chlorine and muriatic acid were spilled on accident. The dangerous combination creates chlorine gas.

Technician level teams made entry into the building to contain, neutralize, and remove the product from the building. Officials said inside, they discovered a ‘hazardous vapor cloud.’

"My first initial breath, I couldn’t even breathe. It was stinging all up and down my throat and my lungs," said Ariane Hagen, resident. "It was really scary."

Hagen's unit is just steps from where it happened. Meantime, other residents also began to notice the alarming smell.

"I was in my apartment and all of the sudden I started to smell some massive chemical smell," said Joe Valha, resident.

A spokesperson with the complex says a maintenance team was restocking pool supplies when "there was a mixture of chemicals that caused a reaction in a mechanical room."

"Nice reaction, fumes, and then everybody came out," said Valha.

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When first responders arrived, they triggered the building's fire alarms.

"They were really loud," said Valha.

As they were hurrying outside – many, taking their pets with them – tenants said the halls reeked of chlorine.

"The throat was burning in the hallway," said Josh Ruggles, resident.

It led to a massive emergency response and an hours-long evacuation.

"This is a full-blown HAZMAT response, and they’re in like the Three Mile Island suits, and again they’re getting hosed down before they go in, hosed down when they come back out," said Valha.

Firefighters used a large portion of the parking lot during their response, as their setup outside was just as important as it was to get inside to contain the spill.

Carefully, but quickly, HAZMAT technicians were seen suiting up and heading inside the building.

On their way out, the HAZMAT team followed a rigorous decontamination process.

"Started hosing them off, haven’t seen anything like it before," said Shane Slettom, resident.

Neighbors gathered together, unsure when they'd be able to go back in.

"They just said, ‘don’t expect to go back in anytime soon,’" said Ruggles.

Firefighters ventilated the building, and just after 7 p.m. residents were able to return to their apartments.

According to officials, four people were treated and released by paramedics for non-life threatening injuries.

Several surrounding fire departments responded to assist Warrenville firefighters, including Wheaton, Lisle-Woodridge, Downers Grove, Boilingbrook and Naperville.

Illinois expands cancer care: Groundbreaking Proton Beam therapy now more accessible

It was a significant struggle for this family.Warrenville, Ill. (WICS) — In the past 3 years, Illinois state leaders and medical facilities have teamed up to bring cancer patients coverage for Proton Beam therapy.This is all thanks to House Bill 2799, sponsored by State Representative Norine Hammond (R-Macomb). The bill looks to open up doors for Illinois Cancer patients who are seeking proper care and treatment.Our Mackenzie LaPorte got a behind-the-scenes look into the only Proton Center within ...

It was a significant struggle for this family.

Warrenville, Ill. (WICS) — In the past 3 years, Illinois state leaders and medical facilities have teamed up to bring cancer patients coverage for Proton Beam therapy.

This is all thanks to House Bill 2799, sponsored by State Representative Norine Hammond (R-Macomb). The bill looks to open up doors for Illinois Cancer patients who are seeking proper care and treatment.

Our Mackenzie LaPorte got a behind-the-scenes look into the only Proton Center within the state to learn about the research behind this treatment and why it is so rare across the country.

3 years ago, State Representative Norine Hammond got a call from a constituent who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The patient's doctor recommended Proton Beam therapy, but because some insurance companies couldn't cover the cost, the family had to pay tens of thousands of dollars.

That was the irony of this when I first started working on it, Medicaid covered this therapy but for those with private pay insurance this was considered out of network," said Rep. Hammond.

According to Representative Hammond, House Bill 2799 requires that a health insurance policy provide coverage for medically necessary proton beam therapy for the treatment of cancer. The bill further provides that the policy shall not apply a higher standard of clinical evidence for the coverage of proton beam therapy than for any other form of radiation therapy treatment.

"If a physician determines that Proton beam therapy is the best therapy for a patient, and it is not right for all patients, then insurance companies will not hold this to a higher clinical standard than they do other forms of treatment," said Rep. Hammond.

House Bill 2799 was signed into law by Governor Pritzker and will take effect on January 1st, 2024.

According to the National Association for Proton Therapy, there are 42 operating Proton centers across the nation. Illinois only makes up one out of those 42 Proton centers but is expected to grow by next year.

Currently in the state of Illinois, Northwestern Medical Proton Center is the only facility delivering Proton therapy. However, OSF Hospital in Peoria is building a one-room center by 2024.

It is not inexpensive to build these facilities but certainly the outcomes warrant making those kinds of investments," said Rep. Hammond.

Rep. Hammond got to take a trip to Northwestern Medicine's Proton Center in Warrenville, IL and she shared how meaningful and educational the experience was to see firsthand the work that goes behind this treatment.

It was an absolutely incredible experience. To see how this treatment is administered is phenomenal," said Rep. Hammond. "This is extremely important for not only a brain tumor, but for women that are going through breast cancers, it's also extremely effective for children pediatrics cancers.

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Northwestern Medicine - Proton Therapy Center:

Dr. Mark Pankuch, the Director of Medical Physics at Northwestern Medical Proton Center, shared with us the reasoning behind this rare treatment.

The reason is the cost, the cost of one of these centers is much higher than an x-ray center and then the other thing is the accelerator is a very big cost, so at our center you'll see that our accelerator feeds four treatment rooms and that's a way to reduce the cost per treatment room," said Dr. Pankuch.

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What is Proton Therapy?

According to Dr. Pankuch, Proton therapy is a particle that deposits the dose differently from an x-ray. The Proton comes in the patient at a low dose, and then at the depth of the tumor, it deposits a large part of the dose and then stops. Overall there is a lower entrance dose and no existing dose, making the radiation much more concentrated inside of the tumor.

The treatment is completely painless. The patient lies on the table and then there's x-rays taken to make sure that the patient is just absolutely perfectly aligned and then we turn the proton beam on, the proton is on for about a minute and the patients don't feel anything at all."

Proton therapy is an advanced cancer radiation that uses focused beams to target the exact depth and location of the cancerous cells in the body.

“While Proton therapy is a key treatment when caring for Cancer patients, it isn’t for everyone," said Pankuch

Tumors commonly treated with protons include:

Dr. Pankuch ended our interview by thanking Representative Norine Hammond and Senator Dave Koehler for pushing House Bill 2799 across the finish line.

"I want to thank Rep. Hammond and Senator Koehler who supported this, they were great about the whole thing. It was really neat to be part of it. I think they came here, saw the technology, and were convinced this was something that we really wanted to do for the people of Illinois," said Dr. Pankuch.

What to do in Naperville, IL

Monday, November 6Local EventNov6Handling Grief During the 2023 HolidaysWednesday, November 8Local EventNov8...

Monday, November 6

Local Event

Nov6

Handling Grief During the 2023 Holidays

Wednesday, November 8

Local Event

Nov8

FREE LOUD Crowd for Parkinson's Disease

Wednesday, 11:00 amNaperville, IL

Local Event

Nov8

Apps, Salads, and Incredible Mains from Beatrix Are Coming! Order by Wednesday.

Wednesday, 3:00 pmNaperville, IL

Thursday, November 9

Featured Event

Nov9

"Nature's Harmony" Photography Exhibit Comes to the Woodridge Public Library

Thursday, 9:00 amWoodridge, IL

Local Event

Nov9

Summer House Santa Monica Has Something for Everyone! Order by Thursday.

Thursday, 3:00 pmNaperville, IL

Local Event

Nov9

Improvised Trivia Night

Thursday, 7:00 pmNaperville, IL

Local Event

Nov9

HYBRID: Emigration & Immigration – The Story of Your Immigrant Ancestors by Jacquie Schattner

Thursday, 7:00 pmNaperville, IL

Local Event

Nov9

Where Do Architects & Designers Turn for Inspiration?

Thursday, 7:00 pmNaperville, IL

Saturday, November 11

Featured Event

Nov11

24th Annual Fine Arts & Craft Fair November 11 from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, 11:00 amNaperville, IL

Featured Event

Nov11

Local Event

Nov11

Local Event

Nov11

Make and Take: Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Saturday, 11:00 amNaperville, IL

Local Event

Nov11

Brass Transit: The Musical Legacy of Chicago

Saturday, 8:00 pmNaperville, IL

Monday, November 13

Featured Event

Nov13

Tuesday, November 14

Local Event

Nov14

Memory Cafe

Tuesday, 2:00 pmNaperville, IL

Wednesday, November 15

Local Event

Nov15

FREE LOUD Crowd for Parkinson's Disease

Wednesday, 11:00 amNaperville, IL

Local Event

Nov15

STORIES R Us- Storytelling

Wednesday, 6:30 pmHomer Glen-Lockport, IL

Local Event

Nov15

"What's Going On?" Speaker of the Illinois House

Wednesday, 6:30 pmNaperville, IL

Thursday, November 16

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Latest News in Warrenville, IL

Tornado tears through western suburbs Friday night, marking 14th in Chicago area this week

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Chicago Weather Alert: At least 2 tornadoes confirmed in Chicago suburbs

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Dangerous chemical spill evacuates Warrenville apartment complex

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Illinois expands cancer care: Groundbreaking Proton Beam therapy now more accessible

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Northwestern Medicine - Proton Therapy Center:

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What is Proton Therapy?

What to do in Naperville, IL

Naperville, IL Patchhttps://patch.com/illinois/naperville/calendar/event/20221105/1951908/warrenville-museum-guild-craft-fair

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