SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler’s legislation to improve oversight and follow-up care for nursing home residents has advanced out of the Senate.
“One of our most vulnerable population is our nursing home residents. Thoughtful care requires thoughtful polices,” said Koehler (D-Peoria) “With this measure, we are ensuring people living with serious mental illness within our nursing homes will receive the care required for them to safely be integrated back into their communities.”
House Bill 4509 would require the Illinois Department of Human Services or a designee to visit any individual admitted to a nursing home with a diagnosis of serious mental illness within 60 days of admission. It would also require a resident review within 72 hours when a resident with serious mental illness experiences a significant change in their physical or mental health.
The legislation would also require IDHS to ensure there are no conflicts of interest among the employees administering pre-admission screenings. The goal is to give families the confidence that the residents are being evaluated fairly and appropriately.
“Families deserve peace of mind that their elderly family members who cared so deeply for them are receiving the same care,” Said Koehler “Strengthening these reviews is a commonsense step that will put our resident’s safety first.”
House Bill 4509 passed the Senate on Thursday and now heads to the governor’s desk for final action.
