State of Illinois Selects Five Supportive Living Facilities For Pilot Project for Dementia Care - Victory Centre of Roseland one of the five!!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2011

STATE OF ILLINOIS
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES

Project seeks to provide improved care and independence For persons with Alzheimer’s and related diseases

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) today announced the approval of five supportive living facilities (SLFs) selected to participate in an innovative pilot project designed to provide specialized housing and care for persons with dementia. The five sites are in Decatur, Effingham, Rantoul, North Aurora and Chicago.

“Our goal is to provide supportive living services that are tailored to meet the unique needs of persons with dementia,” said HFS Director Julie Hamos. “Through this pilot project, we will promote independence, dignity and an improved quality of life for persons aged 65 years and over who have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.”

SLFs are currently able to accept a person with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. The purpose of the pilot project is to test the viability of different models of dementia care in a SLF setting and to provide HFS with information regarding the level of assessment, staffing, service intensity and activities required for such facilities to be successful. SLFs participating in the pilot will receive a specialized rate in order to meet the increased requirements related to staffing and services.

SLFs give seniors and persons with disabilities a more independent lifestyle option by providing apartment-style living, medication supervision and ongoing health monitoring, personal care, exercise and wellness programs, meals and other services. Residents live in private apartments with a bath and kitchenette. The SLF program puts an emphasis on personal choice and dignity.

An important benefit of SLFs is that they make a critical range of services available at a significantly lower cost than in a nursing home and can successfully prevent or postpone the need for nursing home care.

The state’s Medicaid program pays for a portion or all of the medical care and services for eligible SLF residents. Residents are responsible for paying for their housing with Social Security or other personal income.

Since Governor Quinn took office in January 2009, 17 new SLFs have opened. There are currently 123 operational SLFs containing nearly 9600 apartments throughout the state.

The following applications (listed alphabetically) have been selected for participation in the SLF dementia unit pilot:

• Asbury Gardens
210 Airport Road
North Aurora, IL 60542

• Evergreen Place
2225 Mt. Zion Road
Decatur, IL 62521

• Lavender Ridge
1103 North Maple
Effingham, IL 62401

• Prairie Care
200 West International Avenue
Rantoul, IL 61866

• Victory Centre of Roseland
10450 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60628

The next step for the five facilities will be to meet the Department’s requirements to become certified to participate in the dementia pilot program. Once the first site becomes certified, the five selected applicants will be required to become operational within 12 months.

For more information about the Department’s SLF program, go to: http://www.slfillinois.com.