Most of us will need long term care of some kind.

Across Illinois, thousands of persons could get better care, at less cost, with greater dignity and autonomy, by getting long term care via 'home and community-based services' (HCBS) instead of an institution.

Despite (not enough) Medicaid-funded home services, and court orders calling for Illinois to speed transitions into less restrictive environments, many folks are stuck in facilities due to lack of affordable community housing.  

As Wall Street profiteers increasingly treat the "nursing home industrial complex," as a (sometimes hidden) revenue stream, keeping people in facilities adds to their profits and power. Nursing facilities cost roughly $30,000-$40,000 MORE per person per year than care in HCBS.

Getting the state of Illinois to provide housing assistance in the community to enable transitions would be an important step toward honoring the US Supreme Court Olmstead decision - which enshrined the civil right to care in the least restrictive environment.

The Humanize Long Term Care campaign, including community, union, disability, retiree, and other organizations, is working to transform the long term care system away from costly, profit-driven institutions and giving real choice to get person-centered care in the community.

Three 'Pillars' that can enable that transformation:

1)   Speed transitions into the Community:

·           Fund affordable/accessible housing ‘transition vouchers” for folks leaving facilities by adding 25 cents per $500 of value to the real estate transfer tax

·           Expand the pool of homecare PAs, and reduce delays for Home Services

2)   Prevent needless institutionalization

Let folks that don’t need 24/7 facilities to remain in their homes

·           End the ‘hospital-to-nursing-home pipeline.’ Create a program providing short-notice at-home caregivers (e.g. PAs and visiting nurses)

·           Educate medical staff on the issue

·           Enhance homecare services for seniors that become disabled after age 60

3)   Dignity for those in facilities:

·           Personal needs allowance of at least $90/mo for ALL residents/facilities

·           Strengthen direct care staffing standards … and enforce them

·           Stronger protections and enforcement of health/safety rules

·           Extend anti-retaliation protections to more types of facilities

A base for ALL 3 Pillars:

·           Making HCBS an entitlement, not a limited waiver-based program

·           Living wages, better working conditions, training and accountability for caregivers/staff in all LTC programs; more homecare PAs and DRS/DHS staff.