Illinois Department of Public Health (1999) reports Illinois Medicaid pays for more than 60 percent of the nursing home residents in the state of Illinois. An Assisted Living Facility (ALF) is more cost effective and offers a social rather than a medical model but is not covered under Medicaid. In 1999 a pilot project called The Supportive Living Project was developed and implemented under a Health Care Finance Administration (HCFA) 1115 (c) waiver. The Supportive Living Program offers access to ALFs for low income elderly and disabled who would otherwise be precluded from participation by economic limitations. The purpose of the project is to explore the viability, efficiency and merit of assisted living facilities for low income Medicaid covered residents. The goal is to promote independence, dignity, respect and well being for residents in the most cost effective manner. Emphasis is placed on the social model, service access, and a home like environment. This paper reports a case study based on needs assessment for low income assisted living in rural Southern Illinois and the need for and applicability of a program such as the Supportive Living Program. In an effort to address the necessity for expansion of policies and practices that offer options to access long term care for low income participants. it offers a proposal for a pubic-private partnership policy option based on managed care with single point entry.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify the need for Assisted Living Facilities relevant to the needs of low income elderly and disabled. 2. Compare and contrast options for and financial ramifications of long term care for the elderly and disabled. 3. Explore policy options to make long term care and assisted living more accessible to the elderly and disabled
Keywords: Elderly, Low-Income
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.