Helping kick off a series of legislative hearings about nursing homes – eighteen months into the pandemic – State Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) hardly sounded a vote of confidence.
“We need to encourage more seniors to stay in their homes,” said Flowers. “The assisted living facilities (are) not a safe place for people who are in need of care.”
She added the state employees overseeing the system are far understaffed, adding employees such as a long-term care ombudsman are “out of sight, out of mind.”
Another lawmaker detailed her experience as a certified nursing assistant, prior to becoming a legislator; and IDPH staff outlined the array of penalties possible for a home which does not measure up.