What is Supportive Living?
Supportive Living is a government-subsidized Assisted Living
style program for older adults. Before Supportive Living,
older adults that were in need of Assisted Living care but unable
to pay for the service out of pocket were relegated to nursing
homes -- facilities that accept Medicaid but whose services are
often overkill for more able-bodied adults. For those that may
just need help with some physical activities, medication management
or are attracted to the idea of communal living among peers,
Supportive Living provides a superior alternative.
Through Medicaid funding, older adults can
now receive appropriate care in a residential
setting.
Supportive Living at Covenant Home of Chicago provides a great
opportunity for those in need, but there are some requirements that
you should be familiar with before starting the application
process.
In order to qualify for CMSS' Supportive Living Facility
(SLF) program, an individual:
- Must be age 65 years or over.
- Must not require around-the-clock skilled nursing care.
- Must be without a primary or secondary diagnosis of
developmental disability or serious and persistent mental
illness.
- Must be without behaviors such as wandering or combativeness
that would pose a safety risk to themselves or others.
- Shall not participate in any other federal Home and
Community-Based Waiver Program.
- Must meet Illinois Medicaid guidelines in order to qualify for
public-assistance.
- Must have their name checked against the required sex offender
registries.
- Must have a tuberculin skin test prior to admission and be
found without active TB.
- Must be screened by the Department or other State agency
screening entity and found to be in need of nursing facility level
of care. (Determination of Need=DON)
- Must have needs that can be adequately met by the
facility.
Space is limited!
Supportive Living is a growing trend in the senior services
industry, but its adaptation is still in the early stages. This
means that there are limited opportunities to take advantage of
Supportive Living for yourself or a loved one, so it is wise to
start the application process now! After you've been approved, you
can still decide whether or not to take advantage of the program,
but when all of the rooms are filled, you will have to be
placed on a waiting list.
Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services can help you through the
Supportive Living application process. If you'd like more
information about Supportive Living or are interested in applying,
please feel free to call Karoline Hutson at (773)
506-6900.
"I can hardly put into words the profound relief I feel at
having found such an ideal home for Mom. I know that she is well
cared for there and safe in every way."
- Daughter of a current Covenant Home
resident
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