Long-Term Care - Illinois General Assembly

SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION (SIVNA)
Classify self-neglect as elder abuse, as other states do, so that more resources could be drawn
upon in efforts to assist the client.
Increase funding for home modification equipment (i.e., safety ramps, grip-bars) so that seniors
can remain safely in their homes.
Increase the availability of affordable, adapted housing for seniors, including temporary,
emergency housing when existing homes are condemned. There is a need for additional
supportive and assisted living facilities as alternatives to nursing home placement.
Emergency response systems should be placed in client homes to signal when a person falls or
is injured. The cost should be underwritten by a capped contract with the State of Illinois.
Provide additional hearing aid assistance for low income persons, including aid in identifying
resources and completing applications for assistance.
Provide additional dental care to area residents.
Provide more transportation for clients requiring medical appointments, including the 2-to-3
visits per week required for dialysis. This is an especially acute need in southwestern Illinois.
NCB DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Focus attention on a very effective state program in Illinois – called the Supportive Living
Program – that makes assisted living affordable to seniors of every income range. It was
designed by the Department of Public Aid to provide a residential alternative to nursing home
care for low and moderate income seniors who are too frail to live alone, but who do not need
ongoing skilled nursing care.
Urge the state to lift the current moratorium on accepting new applications to the Supportive
Living Program, and aggressively expand it to reach those frail, low-income seniors who are
most in need. The state can accomplish this by working with those sponsors who currently
provide affordable housing to low income seniors.
Work to promote the development of these facilities in locations where there are the largest
concentrations of low income seniors: in rural areas and in low income urban neighborhoods.
There must be a sense of urgency to this evaluation and consideration, resulting in a
comprehensive plan to promote deinstitutionalization and to find alternative uses for
underutilized nursing homes.
The state must give careful consideration to a rational deinstitutionalization initiative such as
that implemented by Iowa and Nebraska.
HEARTLAND HUMAN SERVICES
Continue/increase respite for family caregivers. Provide respite care to be an option in the early
to middle stages of care giving, not just the late stage. Keeping older persons in their own
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