Illinois Marks 10th Anniversary of Supportive Living
By Rick Banas, Vice President of Strategic Marketing
Today, older adults throughout Illinois should be singing the praises of their state government, especially those older adults who are without the financial resources to afford assisted living should the need arise. So should their families and taxpayers.
It is unusual for any governmental body to be innovative, but Illinois was with the creation of the Supportive Living program.
Ten years ago today, the state certified for operation the first Supportive Living community in Beardstown, a community located about 45 miles northwest of the state capitol in Springfield.
The impetus for developing the Supportive Living program was a budget crisis. The State needed to cut the amount it was spending.
The beauty of Supportive Living is that it not only generates significant cost savings for the State, but it provides older adults and persons with disabilities with a wonderful alternative to much more costly nursing home care. Apartment home living is combined with the availability of personal assistance and support services such as meals, housekeeping and laundry. The emphasis is on personal choice, dignity, privacy and individuality.
During the past 10 years, the number of Supportive Living communities has grown to 115, housing more than 9,150 apartments. The communities are located throughout the State. Another 31 communities have been approved for development.
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services, which regulates Supportive Living, reports that last year 6,000 individuals on Medicaid benefited from Supportive Living. For each of those individuals, the Department reports that the State is saving between 40% and 55% on the cost of care versus if they lived in a nursing home.
The Supportive Living program is a model that other states have begun to consider. All of us who live and work in Illinois should be proud. More information about Supportive Living can be found in the links section of this blog, in the upper right hand column.
All affordable assisted living communities managed by BMA Management, Ltd. are certified and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. All assisted living communities are licensed and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“BMA Management, Ltd. is the leading provider of assisted living in Illinois
and one of the 20 largest providers of assisted living in the United States.”
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know.
