Elder Law

Illinois Governor Panel Proposes Sweeping Nursing Home Reform

By Levin & Perconti

An Illinois nursing home panel appointed by the Governor proposed an array of reforms that are designed to end the chronic violence and nursing home abuse that plagues the elderly. The panel is also trying to foster better treatment for better treatment for people with serious mental illness living in nursing homes. New proposals range from tightened background checks of new nursing home residents to stronger sanctions and enforcement of facilities with chronic safety breaches. The safety task force also recommended that state police begin searching residents for outstanding warrants. He also wants to increase minimum staffing requirements of the facilities to bring them up to federal government studies in nursing home care. Illinois must pull itself from last place and learn to become a leader in nursing home care. The task force is focused on outlining a broad plan to expand housing and treatment options and divert mentally ill people from nursing homes. The task force was formed in response to the Chicago Tribune reports on assaults, rapes and murders in Illinois? nursing homes. The most important issue is whether the state should have separate facilities for those with violent backgrounds. Many people that you should not mix dangerous and vulnerable residents. To learn more about the task panel, please click the link.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on January 15, 2010 (boomark / email).