The Older Adult Services Act (P.A. 093-1031) is legislation that supports older adults who wish to stay in their homes by restructuring the delivery of services to include home-based services as well as institutional care.
The law calls for restructuring all aspects of service, including
the provision of housing, health, financial and supportive services for
older people. It also calls for the development of a Nursing Home Conversion
Program
to be established by the state departments of Public Health and Public
Aid. The program would reduce reliance on nursing homes by Medicaid, the
federal-state program that pays the health-care costs for the poor. Savings
from this
effort
would be re-allocated to a broader array of options for home-based or community-based
services to older adults.
The Illinois Department on Aging began the restructure in late 2004, and
gave priority to the expansion and development of new services in areas identified
with the greatest need.
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Seeking a New Member
The Older Adult Services Advisory Committee seeks to fill an open seat
someone who will serve as a representative of an Illinois municipality.
Each OASA Committee member serves a term of 3 years and meets with the full committee 4 to 5 times a year. For more information, contact Janice Cichowlas.
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Restructure, according to the new law, includes:
- the expansion of services to older adults and their family caregivers,
subject to availability of funds,
- development of rules to implement the law, and an annual report of progress,
and
- collaboration between the state departments of Aging, Public Health and
Public Aid and others to implement the act.
For more information, link to the following:
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