Promises of past must now be met

On behalf of my parents, Donald and Jeanne Farquhar, I would like to extend kudos to Governor Rauner for recently signing Senate Bill 2301 into law, the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Services Act.

My great thanks to State Representative Deb Conroy and State Senator Dave Koehler for sponsoring and making this badly needed legislation happen, it is long overdue.

My elderly parents, both in their 90s with varying degrees of dementia, thank everyone who made this law possible.

My family has used caregivers from professional homecare providers for several years now with varying satisfaction, often low. Far too often the caregivers sent to us have had little to no experience or training on caring for those with dementia, or lack basic skills of care giving. It has been frustrating.

We experienced beautiful assisted living facilities with grand marble stairs and paintings that promised the world, but did not deliver when it came to my parents care. Much of their staff were young and inexperienced, essentially Certified Nursing Assistants in training with very limited skills. Yes, low paying jobs, but the industry seems full of them.

Now these providers must provide and assure standardized training on dementia and working with those afflicted by it, like my parents. The home care industry is big business and growing, the baby boomers are coming of age and in many cases for varying reasons we have relegated the care of our elderly to these "professionals." Too often. it can be a business ripe for shortcuts, maximizing profits over people. Promises of the past now have to be met with the signing of Conroy's and Koehler's legislation and their hard work on behalf of and protecting our elderly. We again thank them.

Bob Farquhar

Villa Park