Resources
Housing and In-Home Help
What Is Home Care?
“Home care” is the general term for the services that may be brought into the homes of people to assist them. Individuals served may be recovering from an illness or accident, coping with a chronic illness or facing a terminal illness. The type and amount of home care they use depends on their needs.
Guide to Care Plan Meeting
Click here to download the publication written by Erin Vogt, LCSW, a social worker and client care coordinator at Dutton Casey & Mesoloras.
Guide to Choosing an Elder Law Attorney
This resource explains the unique qualifications of an elder law attorney and how to locate one.
United States Department of Labor (USDOL) - Changes Rules for In-Home Caregiver Pay
Effective 1/1/15, the USDOL changed rules regarding pay for all in-home caregivers across the country.
There are five new changes to the rules that need to be considered:
- Caregivers must be paid at least the minimum wage.
- Caregivers must be paid for overtime (any work more than 40 hours in one week).
- Travel time is compensable between job sites.
- Live-in rule changes.
- Recordkeeping requirements.
Resident Rights
People who live in care facility residents are guaranteed certain rights, protections and privileges according to Illinois and Federal law. Click to download the following publications:
- Living in a Nursing Home
- Living in a Supportive Living Community
- Living in an Intermediate Care Community for People Who Have a Developmental Disability
Resident Rights for People who are LGBT
This factsheet highlights federal residents' rights and nursing home requirements that may be of particular importance to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) residents and provides options for complaint resolution, information for reporting abuse and resources regarding long-term care and LGBT advocacy.
Medicare Coverage of Skilled Care
This booklet, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, details how, and when, Medicare will pay for skilled care.
A Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home
The “Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home” is prepared by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS and states oversee the quality of nursing homes. State and Federal government agencies certify nursing homes to participate in Medicare and Medicaid.
A Guide for Families of People with Dementia Living in Care Facilities
The Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter is pleased to offer a free online resource, Encouraging Comfort Care: A Guide for Families of People with Dementia Living in Care Facilities. This 21-page booklet provides useful information to families and staff of long-term care facilities about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, particularly care issues related to the late and final stages.
For families, this guide will enable them to make informed choices about a variety of medical decisions they may face on behalf of loved ones with dementia living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other types of care facilities. It will also equip families to ask good questions aimed at obtaining the best care for their loved ones, including a handy checklist of comfort care measures to be discussed with staff members of care facilities.
Illinois Pioneer Coalition
The Illinois Pioneer Coalition was organized to provide long term care settings with the education and tools needed to effect deep culture change, thereby transforming long term care settings into real homes and improving the quality of life for individuals and staff in various settings throughout Illinois. Click here to learn more and obtain a booklet and questionnaire regarding obtaining quality care in a nursing home.