State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes advanced a measure out of the Senate that would allow physician assistants and registered nurses to complete admission assessments for assisted living residents. The measure would let physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses conduct both comprehensive and dementia-specific assessments for people seeking to join an assisted living or shared housing facility. However, these professionals must have geriatric dementia care experience and receive a physician’s approval of the assessment. Currently, physicians are the only ones allowed to complete these assessments, which are required prior to admission and once per year afterward. Illinois is considered a “reduced practice” state, meaning that physicians need to be involved in most of nurse practitioners’ work, including diagnosing and treating patients and prescribing drugs. Senate Bill 2879 passed the Senate Thursday and heads to the House for further consideration.