Long-Term Care - Illinois General Assembly

Source:
Source:
Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service, 9/12/02 Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service, 9/12/02
Louanner Peters
Deputy Chief of Staff – Social Services – Office of the Governor
Generally, when we think of long-term care, we think of it being just for seniors. Of course there
are many other categories. The state also has responsibility for any person who is disabled and
needs extended care – i.e., those who have been injured and need long-term rehabilitation, or
extended care, or children who may have a life-time disability. Those are all long-term care
issues that have to be factored into the process, and they are connected in terms of the
establishment and promulgation of policies, rules and regulations.
Just last week the Governor’s Office state health officials focused on the issue of nursing homes
and physically fit, but mentally ill patients in nursing homes. There are approximately 16,000
persons with mental illnesses in nursing homes. About 5,700 are there just for the treatment of
mental illnesses. The remaining persons require other kinds of medical services. Not all
facilities are prepared to handle that population with multiple needs. We have situations in
which people in nursing homes, who have worked all their lives as maids or laborers, and who
did not have health benefits, now find themselves in a nursing home sharing space with other
patients who are young (27 years of age), who weigh 250 pounds, who may be very aggressive,
and who may be mentally ill or a substance abuser. Imagine an 80-year old senior who is
located down the hall from such a person, and the senior is physically unable to defend him or
herself?
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