A new AARP-backed bill could help elders get the care they need by penalizing nursing homes that run with staffing shortages. According to the report, senior care advocates are pushing for the legislation, which would enforce minimum staffing mandates and make care violations more transparent. An interesting addition to the bill is that it would also limit the use of psychotropic drugs, which are sometimes used (unethically, if not illegally) to make patients easier to handle.
Recognize nursing home abuse to help protect patients
Some patients in nursing homes sadly have to suffer through abuse. In many cases, it's difficult for patients to report the abuse, fearing that it will get worse if they do so.
Do your research before choosing a nursing home
Nursing homes are supposed to be places where the most vulnerable can receive care. Unfortunately, due to low staffing numbers, negligence, violence and other negativity, nursing homes now have a bad reputation for not caring well for patients.
Protect your loved one in a nursing home: Know your rights
Nursing home abuse takes place across the United States. Sadly, people often don't know that their loved ones are being hurt or are being taken advantage of until it's too late to do anything about it.
Questions to ask when trying to spot nursing home abuse
Moving your loved one into an Illinois nursing home is never an easy decision. It's likely that they are a parent who has cared for you in your early years. We move our parents into nursing homes due to the lack of specialized care we can give them at home or because we are still working full-time jobs outside of the home. Here are some important questions to ask your loved one when trying to spot nursing home abuse so you can keep your loved one safe.
The prevalence of malnutrition in nursing homes
Elderly people who reside in nursing homes need extra support in all aspects when it comes to caring for themselves. Many elderly people are likely to deal with appetite loss, and as a result, they may struggle to consume adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals. This lack of basic nutrition can lead to a vicious cycle of sickness.
Is it legal for nursing homes to use restraints?
People who reside in nursing homes do so generally because they are very vulnerable. This means that they are at a higher risk of being taken advantage of or abused. If you have a loved one who resides in a nursing home in the state of Illinois, you may be concerned about the way they are being treated or have questions about what type of treatment is legal.
Is it possible for bullying to take place in nursing homes?
Bullying is often something that we associate with the behavior of children at school. However, bullying can actually be done by people of all ages, from those in the workplace to residents of nursing homes. It can even be initiated or encouraged by social workers.
The most common claims made against nursing homes
Many people each year become residents at nursing homes. This can be a big shift in their lives and a difficult thing to get used to, and this is why it is important that nursing homes help their residents to feel as comfortable and as safe as possible.
Are bedsores evidence of nursing home neglect?
As residents in nursing homes get older, it is likely that they will have to spend an extended amount of time in bed or sitting down in some capacity. Reduced mobility can have many consequences in relation to a person's health. Swollen ankles and blood clots become more likely, but also bed sores become much more frequent.
