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.
2000, read first time and referred to Committee on
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,
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.