Introduced Version





SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION No.
_____




DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION

    A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Legislative Council to establish an interim study committee to examine the need for alternative care options for individuals prone to violent behavior due to the effects of dementia or related diseases.



SERVER




     2000, read first time and referred to Committee on








Introduced

Second Regular Session 111th General Assembly (2000)


SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION



    A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Legislative Council to establish an interim study committee to examine the need for alternative care options for individuals prone to violent behavior due to the effects of dementia or related diseases.


    Whereas, there is currently no adult care program that specifically identifies the increased needs of individuals prone to violent behavior due to the effects of dementia and related diseases and that provides the higher standard of care essential to ensure the safety of such individuals, other residents in the same facility, and the staff;

    Whereas, under current programs, obtaining mental health services for individuals suffering from dementia or related diseases is nearly impossible;

    Whereas, as a result, individuals suffering from the effects of dementia or related diseases are typically placed in nursing home facilities;

    Whereas, current Indiana nursing home regulations do not set out specific care requirements for residents who suffer from dementia or related diseases;

    Whereas, Indiana Medicaid does not currently provide additional funding for the care of individuals suffering from

dementia or related diseases;

    Whereas, due to financial constraints, most nursing home facilities are not staffed appropriately to provide the constant care necessary to ensure that these individuals do not endanger themselves, other residents, and staff members during violent episodes; and

    Whereas, the lack of appropriate facilities and services for individuals suffering from dementia or related diseases, coupled with the increasing number of elderly individuals prone to this condition, poses a great risk of injury or death to elderly individuals in nursing home facilities: Therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly

of the State of Indiana, the House of Representatives concurring:


    SECTION 1. That the Legislative Council is urged to establish an interim study committee to study the issues relating to the availability of care for individuals suffering from the effects of dementia or related diseases.
    SECTION 2. That the study committee, if established, shall study and may make recommendations concerning the following issues:
             (1)    Defining the full scope and severity of the problems resulting from the lack of adult care programs and facilities providing a higher level of service to meet the increased needs of individuals prone to violent behavior due to the effects of dementia and related diseases.
             (2)    Identifying the factors contributing to the above-identified problems.
             (3)    Identifying alternative types of care being utilized in other communities to address the above-identified problems.
             (4)    Recommending action to ameliorate the above-identified problems and to provide for the improved health and safety of individuals suffering from the effects of dementia or related diseases, for other residents with whom they live, and for the staff charged with caring for such individuals.
    SECTION 3. That the committee, if established, shall operate

under the direction of the Legislative Council and that the committee shall issue a final report when directed to do so by the Council.