About the Illinois Home Health, Home Services, and Home Nursing Agency Licensing Act
According to the Administration on Aging (AoA), the older population - persons 65 years or older - numbered 37.3 million in 2006. They represented 12.4% of the U.S. population, about one in every eight Americans. Consider this: by 2030, there will be about 71.5 million older persons, more than twice their number in 2000. People 65+ represented 12.4% of the population in the year 2000, but are expected to grow to be 20% of the population by 2030. The U.S. population over the age of 65, currently at 12%, is expected to double to more than one in five Americans, more than 72 million persons by 2030.
Along with the increasing number of older adults in the US population, experts observe a profound need for, and availability of, qualified in-home health care providers, offering everything from shopping and basic daily living necessities to skilled medical and nursing services.
- In response to the growth of in-home care providers of all kinds, non-profit trade associations, such as the Illinois National Private Duty Association (NPDA) and others, have developed regulations to protect consumers from elder abuse and financial exploitation at the hands of unqualified or unsavory in-home caregivers. Even now, reports of elder abuse and neglect - physical, mental and/or financial in nature - remain too frequent.
- The Illinois legislature passed a landmark piece of legislation, the Illinois Home Health, Home Services, and Home Nursing Agency Licensing Act, in 2005 - specifically to regulate the practices of all in-home care agencies in Illinois.
This landmark legislation, the Illinois Home Health, Home Services, and Home Nursing Agency Licensing Act, became effective on September 1, 2008. Additionally, this new law will become increasingly important as a means of safeguarding the quality of in-home care for our most vulnerable population, while minimizing the legal and financial risks associated with the hiring and placement of such care.
- It is so important that family members (and referring professionals such as hospital discharge planners, geriatric case managers, elder law attorneys and others) understand the requirements and applications of this new law to help you make informed decisions in the best interests of all concerned.
- It is imperative to weigh the potential short-term "savings" when hiring in-home care against the very real risks - legal, financial and personal - linked with the hiring of unlicensed caregivers.
To see how the new law affects the way you hire a caregiver for your family member click here .
For more information about this important and landmark legislation in IL:
Rules and Regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
IDPH Initial Licensure Application
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