Long-Term Care - Illinois General Assembly

ENCOURAGE NURSING HOMES TO CONVERT STRUCTURES AND ADOPT PROGRESSIVE PRACTICES TO
ACCOMMODATE CURRENT NEEDS OF FRAIL AND DISABLED RESIDENTS.
To continue to play a prominent role in the future of the long-term care system, nursing homes
should be encouraged to convert excess capacity to:
• Single bed rooms;
• Assisted living;
• Adult day services; and
• Recreation and rehabilitation care enhancements.
Pioneer practices, successfully implemented in other states and of great interest to many
nursing homes in Illinois, recognize resident needs and desires and offer clients greater control
over their daily routines.
EXPAND COMPREHENSIVE DELIVERY SYSTEMS THAT INTEGRATE ACUTE AND CHRONIC CARE AND
DEMONSTRATE COST SAVINGS COMPARED TO EXISTING FEE-FOR-SERVICE MODELS.
Despite highly complex medical needs, very few medical providers are linked to the social and
support delivery system of the aging network. This reduces the effectiveness of treatment,
which results in additional medical costs and deterioration clients’ conditions often leading to
premature nursing home placement. Illinois should consider development and expansion of
nationally successful programs such as Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE),
Social HMOs, and encourage other comprehensive delivery models, such as community health
centers, to serve more frail elderly.
DEVELOP COORDINATED INFORMATION, REFERRAL, AND ENTRY RESOURCES FOR ALL LONG-TERM
CARE SERVICES AVAILABLE IN A COMMUNITY.
To assure that family members have access to accurate, timely, and appropriate information the
state must:
• Significantly improve access to information available from existing telephone hotlines,
assuring access during days, evenings, and weekends.
• Integrate services available from Area Agencies on Aging with other designated entry
points.
• Increase use of automated programs to ascertain benefits and eligibility information.
• Coordinate eligibility guidelines so clients may complete a single application to determine all
programs for which they may qualify.
• Eliminate asset tests for home care where possible to shorten length of application and
documentation needed to qualify.
ASSURE PROVIDERS PAY ADEQUATE WAGES FOR QUALITY CARE.
As additional funding becomes available, as described below, Illinois can:
• Increase rates and adopt alternative payment methodologies to increase wages and health
benefits for caregivers.
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