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State
The Central Illinois Chapter is a member of the Illinois Chapter Network of the Alzheimer's Association.
The Illinois Chapter Network of the Alzheimer's Association is a unified voice dedicated to increasing awareness
of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The network is the leading advocate to effect change in legislation,
public policy, research and education to benefit people with Alzheimer's, their families and caregivers throughout
the state.
State Legislation
HB 20, naming November as Alzheimer's Month in Illinois, has
passed the House and Senate and has been signed by the
Governor.
2005 Illinois Chapter Network Platform
1. QUALITY LONG TERM CARE & SERVICE OPTIONS:
Currently 86% of public funding for long-term care programs is
allocated to institutional settings. However, 70% of people with
Alzheimer's disease live at home, with family caregivers providing
75% of this care at no expense to the state of Illinois. The Alzheimer's Association
promotes the implementation of legislation to ensure:
- Appropriate and cost effective long-term care options,
including in-home care, adult day care and residential care
settings, with emphasis on home and community based services.
- A person-centered delivery system that tailors services to the
needs of the individual, rather than the setting of care.
- Access to support services, including respite and family
caregiver training, regardless of age, income, locality or
disability.
- Flexible delivery systems that provide consumer choice of
providers in the community, including agency and independent
providers, and the option for consumers to manage their own
services.
- Funding should be available to support all long-term care
services regardless of the setting or location.
2. QUALITY TRAINING FOR DEMENTIA CARE:
The single greatest factor of quality dementia care in all
settings is the competency of direct care staff. The Alzheimer's
Association supports innovative strategies to recruit, train and
retain qualified personnel in all care settings and supports the
implementation of legislation to ensure:
- Staffing levels adequate to allow for proper care at all
times.
- Staff sufficiently trained in all aspects of care, including
dementia and Alzheimer's care.
- Staff adequately compensated for their valuable work.
- Staff should have the opportunity for career growth.
- Direct care staff should be appropriately licensed and/or
certified in all settings.
- Criminal background checks are recommended for all staff
working with the elderly; the abuse registry should be checked
when applicable.
3. QUALITY ASSURANCE:
The Alzheimer's Association endorses the need for essential protections
and opportunities for people with dementia be included in codes that
regulate all care settings and supports the implementation of
legislation to ensure:
- State of Illinois rules and regulations focus on providing
quality care that is in the best interest of each individual.
- Monitoring of the overhaul and restructuring of Illinois'
long-term care system, ensuring the accessibility of the full
range of dementia care options and settings, including quality
services for home and community-based persons.
- Requiring training all investigators who enforce Illinois
Department of Public Health
regulations.
- Help individuals plan fur future long-term care needs and
protect their assets, including the purchase of long-term care
insurance.
- Maintain the Medicaid long-term care safety net, while
expanding options for family-centered home and community based
care. Preserve Medicaid eligibility limits, as any reduction
would limit options and access to quality care.
- Work cooperatively with the state's three Alzheimer's Disease
Research Centers and four Alzheimer's Associations.
For more information click on these
links:
http://www.illinois.gov
http://www.alz.org/advocacy
TO BECOME AN ALZHEIMER'S ADVOCATE, CALL 309-681-1100,
800-272-3900 OR CLICK ON 'SIGN UP TO BE AN ADVOCATE' BELOW.
Federal Issues • State Issues • Sign up to be an advocate
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