ACLU Says For-Profit Illinois Nursing Homes Trying to Scare Psychiatric Patients so They Won’t Leave
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed court papers accusing for-profit assisted living facility operators in Illinois of employing scare tactics to convince psychiatric residents to stay at nursing homes instead of transferring to supportive community housing, which state authorities have pledged to provide for approximately 4,500 patients. The Illinois nursing homes are denying the allegations. They say that they are genuinely worried about whether the state will actually provide the housing and services that they’ve promised.
A proposed consent degree, which is waiting for a federal judge’s final approval, gives psychiatric patients the option of leaving their nursing home and moving into housing that is more appropriate for their needs. The community housing program will provide therapy, substance-abuse programs, life-skills training, job training, and other services. Interested patients would have to pass a screening before being allowed to enter the program. The ACLU became concerned when certain nursing homes, known as Institutions for Mental Disease, began circulating information sheets to patients and families claiming that the proposed decree may eliminate certain protections for residents that do choose to move out.
In recent months, there have been calls to provide better nursing care and protections for nursing home patients. Not only have some assisted living facilities become victims of Chicago nursing home abuse and violence perpetrated by felons and mentally ill residents, but there has been growing concern that nursing homes may not be the best place for giving psychiatric patients to get the proper care that they too need.
Our Chicago, Illinois nursing home neglect lawyers are appalled at how many people continue to suffer because of Cook County nursing home negligence. We work hard to obtain our clients’ financial recovery.
Nursing homes launch 'desperate attempt' to keep psychiatric patients, ACLU says, Chicago Tribune, July 21, 2010
Mentally Ill in Illinois Win Right to Community Care, Psychiatric News, April 16, 2010
Related Web Resources:
American Civil Liberties Union
