City Council Meeting - September 18, 2019
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, currently 15% of Illinois residents are age 65 or older and another 1.6 million are between the ages of 55 and 64; and
WHEREAS, the growth in Illinois' aging population will more than double by 2030, dramatically increasing the need for Long-Term In-Home Care services; and
WHEREAS, seventy percent of adults turning 65 will need some form of long-term in-home care services and support during their lifetime and 90% of people want the freedom and independence provided by in-home care services that allows them to age with dignity in their own homes; and
WHEREAS, the Community Care Program provides Long Term In-Home Care and Support Services to nearly 104,000 seniors in the State of Illinois, and has significantly grown with over a 105% increase in the last ten years; and
WHEREAS, the Community Care Program effectively and successfully supports low-income aging people through community-based services including help with personal care, meals, laundry, housework and errands, thus enabling them to remain in their homes and avoid unnecessary and premature institutionalization; and
WHEREAS, Illinois' rapidly aging population means an increased demand for more home care services at a time when economic pressures result in fewer families able to provide such support to aging family members; and
WHEREAS, the direct care workforce is one of the fastest growing job sectors in the country and has expanded by nearly 40 percent in Illinois between 2006 and 2016; and by 2024 Illinois will need an additional 18,000 new home care workers to meet these demands; and a stable, well-paid and well-trained homecare workforce is needed to allow all lllinoisans to receive quality in-home care; and
WHEREAS, the average cost of a nursing home in Illinois is $55,420, while the cost of Community Care Program services is $10,428 a year, which is more than four times less; and too many seniors, persons with disabilities, and famil...
Click here for full text