HJ0055 Enrolled

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 55


 
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    WHEREAS, An estimated 210,000 Illinoisans have Alzheimer's 
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or a related dementia disorder, with the likelihood of being 
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afflicted rising with age; it is believed that almost 50% of 
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individuals age 85 and older will have Alzheimer's; these 
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estimates do not include individuals with other dementia 
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disorders; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Alzheimer's has no respect for bravery, courage, 
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and service, affecting roughly 55,000 of the State's veterans 
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65 years of age and older, with 40% over the age of 85; those 
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with other dementia disorders are not included in these 
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numbers; and

 
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    WHEREAS, While one in four Illinois families are caring for 
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a loved one with Alzheimer's in their home, most families are 
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forced to seek residential programs as the disease progresses; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, The State has few alternatives for families 
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seeking residential care for a family member with dementia, 
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although Illinois has repeatedly studied the issue with task 
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force reports calling for services to be put in place issued as 
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far back as 1986; and

 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, For those who can afford private-pay market-rate 
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services, 80 of the licensed assisted living facilities in 
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Illinois have dedicated Alzheimer's units; and

 
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    WHEREAS, For most Illinois families, private-pay assisted 
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living facilities are financially outside their means; and

 
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    WHEREAS, These market-rate programs report countless calls 
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from families desperate to find a solution for their loved one, 
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but who clearly cannot afford market-rate care; they also 
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report that it is not uncommon for residents to have to leave 
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their programs for Medicaid-funded nursing home beds, because 
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they have spent down all their resources; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The State has 147 nursing homes with dedicated 
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Alzheimer's units, yet most individuals with Alzheimer's do not 
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have complex medical needs that require 24-hour skilled nursing 
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care; and

 
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    WHEREAS, For many moderate and low-income families, who can 
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no longer care for their loved ones at home, a Medicaid nursing 
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home bed is the only solution that they can afford; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Neither of Illinois' existing subsidized 
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affordable assisted living type programs include Alzheimer's 
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dedicated units, although the Supportive Living Facilities  
 


 






HJ0055 Enrolled
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have filed rules to create a demonstration project; and
 
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    WHEREAS, A similar program at the Illinois Department on 
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Aging - Comprehensive Care In Residential Settings - could 
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allow dementia programs; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
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SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the State of Illinois may 
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establish an affordable Alzheimer's housing-with-services 
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program that builds off existing programs; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That existing assisted living dedicated 
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Alzheimer's programs be considered for participation and that 
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nursing homes be encouraged to convert a distinct portion of 
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their facilities to Alzheimer's dedicated 
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housing-with-services units; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED,  That the program be designed to permit the State 
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to access federal matching funds.