Davis Advances Bill to Strengthen Dementia Training for Home Care Workers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Lisa Davis, D-Chicago, has advanced legislation out of committee aimed at improving care for individuals living with dementia.

“To help prevent the condition from worsening, patients with dementia need to follow strict routines,” Davis said. “We must ensure that home care workers receive comprehensive training so they have the skills and tools needed to support these routines and help patients maintain the highest possible quality of life, even while managing their condition.”

House Bill 4584 requires Home Services Program rehabilitation counselors and homemaker agency employees who provide direct care to participants to complete at least two hours of dementia training upon hire and annually thereafter. The training will cover key topics such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia-related safety risks, and effective communication strategies, as well as approaches for responding to behavioral challenges.

The bill also clarifies that if workers have already gone through similar training under other rules, they won’t need to take it again.

“By ensuring caregivers receive consistent, high-quality dementia training, this legislation helps strengthen the workforce and improves the level of care provided to families across Illinois,” Davis said. “I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to push this legislation forward.” 

The legislation now advances to the House for further consideration.