Nursing homes in Illinois ranked among the worst in the nation in a comprehensive review conducted by a nonprofit elder advocacy group. The review examined federal data from 2012 on issues of staffing, inspections, deficiencies and complaints. These issues will begin to impact more and more people in Illinois. In the United States overall, the number of people living in nursing homes is expected to increase by 40 percent over the course of the next ten years.
Families who have to rely on nursing homes and other care facilities that it can be a stressful experience when your loved one is not getting proper care. It is even more difficult to discover that they have been neglected or abused. When that happens, it is important that families know their rights and what they can do ensure the safety of their loved one in the future.
Unfortunately as many Chicago families know, falls at nursing homes and other similar injuries are all too common. In order to avoid these types of injuries, there must be a vetting process available to families and individuals who are looking for a nursing home. One sign that a nursing home will provide good care is the staff – a large staff of experienced nurses is ideal.
Holding sub-standard nursing homes accountable
Nursing homes who do not treat residents properly should also be held accountable for their actions. One way to do this is by pursuing a civil suit against the nursing home to seek compensation for the harm. This can help cover medical costs for the person who was injured and can also act as a deterrent to the nursing home providing substandard care in the future.
What safety measures exist to protect nursing home residents?
The State of Illinois has safeguards in place to protect the rights of residents and patients of nursing homes and long-term care facilities. All such facilities in Illinois must be properly licensed and certified to remain in operation. The Illinois Department of Public Health inspects these facilities at least once a year to evaluate their compliance with laws and regulations. A trained team of health care professionals from the Illinois Department of Public Health usually stays in these facilities 3 to 4 days to gain an understanding of what the facilities’ environment is like for residents from day-to-day. These inspections, which are unannounced, serve to make sure that the facilities are in compliance with all applicable Illinois and federal laws. The facilities must pass this inspection process in order to maintain their license. Also, the compliance with these laws makes it less likely that residents will be the victims of abuse or neglect while living there.
What to do if you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect
If you, or a loved one, have been the victim of abuse or neglect in an Illinois nursing home you may be entitled to bring a claim against that facility. The attorneys of Mark L. Karno & Associates have successfully represented victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. If you have any questions about this post, or any issues regarding possible nursing home abuse or neglect, contact Mark L. Karno & Associates by calling 312-574-3362 or by emailing [email protected]