Nursing Home Mental Health Care Reform (posted 11/9)

Advocates in Illinois continue to push for a major overhaul of how Illinois handles its elderly psychiatric patients.  More than any other state, Illinois relies on nursing homes to house the mentally ill and advocates argue that patients could be treated more effectively and at a lower cost in a community setting.  The Chicago Tribune states, "The volatile mix of felons, mentally ill people and seniors in Illinois facilities today serves none of [the populations housed there], advocates said, and records show elderly and disabled residents have been assaulted, raped and even murdered in the homes."  Advocates also continue to push for more immediate reform: the Healthcare Council of Illinois, a trade association of nursing homes, recommended that patients with backgrounds of violence be reassessed annually to determine their risk to other residents.  To read the article from the Chicago Tribune click here.

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