Forum puts focus on nursing home abuse
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Both professional caregivers and the general public will have a chance to share their views on the sensitive issue of nursing home abuse and neglect at a forum set to take place in Springfield this spring. Entitled “Abuse and Neglect Reporting,” the two-hour event will include a presentation about current laws and procedures for reporting, presented by healthcare experts, and time for public input and sharing of experiences. It is being conducted under the direction of the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Long-Term Care Facilities Advisory Board, which was created as an advisory arm of the IDPH to look at new rules under the Nursing Home Care Act. The Advisory Board is composed of a 14-member panel and meets four times each year. Public forums are scheduled at two of these meetings. According to IDPH statistics, Illinois is home to about 1,200 long-term care facilities. More than 100,000 residents, both young and old, depend on them for their care. The department estimates that it receives approximately 19,000 calls each year on its nursing home hotline (800-252-4343) and that staff members investigate about 5,000 complaints. Primary responsibility for making sure facilities are in compliance with the Nursing Home Care Act rests with the IDPH’s Bureau of Long-term Care. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is also involved with surveying and certifying each facility. They are also regulated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). Advance registration is not required. However, persons wishing to speak at the event are urged to contact Susan Quinn at the Department’s Division of Long Term Care at 217-785-2629, and must submit a copy of their comments in writing. Forms may be filled out at the time of the meeting for those who do not call ahead of time, but time will be limited based on the number of speakers. The forum will be conducted from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, May 11, at the Carnegie Room of Lincoln Public Library, 326 South Seventh St. in Springfield. The Board will conduct its regular meeting from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Source : goedwardsville.com |