Chicago Caregivers – Chicago Nursing Aides & Health Aides

Illinois Chapter Network Advocate UPDATE

Thank You to all Alzheimer advocates across Illinois. You spoke, and the legislators listened. Governor Blagojevich recently signed HB 6706 (Family Caregiver Act) into Public Law 93-0864.

This legislation has been on the Alzheimer's Association Public Policy Platform for several years. Without the phone calls and letters from advocates like you, HB 6706 would not have passed.

Thank you for your continued support. As an Alzheimer advocate, you are making a difference!

HB 6706 - Family Caregiver Act

This legislation mirrors the National Family Caregiver Act. There is no new money for this program.
Creates the Family Caregiver Act, to be administered by the Department on Aging, for the purpose of encouraging family members to provide care for their elderly family members.
Requires the Department on Aging to contract with area agencies on aging and other appropriate agencies to provide family caregiver support services to the extent of available funding. Provides that the services include counseling, training and respite care.
Requires the Department on Aging to seek federal funding for a demonstration project. Also authorizes caregiver support services for grandparents who are primary caregivers for their grandchildren.
Amends the Respite Program Act. Deletes references to abused adults and to functionally disabled or cognitively impaired adults (so that the Act applies to "frail or disabled" adults). Defines a "frail or disabled adult" as a person age 60 (instead of 55) or older who either (i) suffers from Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder or (ii) is unable to attend to his or her daily needs without assistance or regular supervision.

To read the entire text of HB 6706, you can link to the State of Illinois Legislative Website at: http://www.legis.state.il.us/. Type HB6706 in the Search By Number Box on the left side of the screen.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Brian Schwarberg, Director of Public Policy, at 217.726.5184 or brian.schwarberg@alz.org