Across Illinois, thousands of persons could get better long term care, at less cost, with greater dignity and autonomy, by transitioning out of a facility into 'home and community-based services (HCBS).'

Despite (not enough) availability of Medicaid-funded home services, and court orders calling for Illinois to speed transitions into less restrictive environments, many folks are stuck in nursing homes and similar 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.

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.