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.
How can an abuse accusation be documented?
If you have a loved one in a Chicago nursing home, you will know first-hand how hard it is to witness an elderly person's deterioration and growing dependence. This deterioration can make the person especially vulnerable to abuse by nursing home staff as well as residents, and unfortunately this is a relatively common problem.
Is your elderly parent affected by nursing home bullying?
If you have a parent or another loved one in a nursing home, it is likely that you assume the trust of the carers to take care of his or her every need. While many carers are responsible and highly conscientious staff, there is a growing epidemic when it comes to understaffing in nursing homes. Therefore it is becoming increasingly common for issues to arise because nursing home residents are not getting the attention and care that they need and are entitled to.
Chicago's Alden-Wentworth nursing home is sued for abuse
The mother of a 36-year-old Chicago area nursing home resident has filed a lawsuit against the nursing home where her daughter was living prior to her death in 2014. This filing is just one of at least 90 that have been filed against it in the past few years for either abuse or neglect of residents.
Medicare should force nursing homes to report problems
There are some excellent nursing homes in Chicago, Illinois. Unfortunately, there may be others at which nursing home abuse occurs. For that reason, it is critical for those who place a relative in a nursing home to get to know its staff and to keep constant tabs on their relative to make sure that he or she is being treated well. A good rule of thumb is to verify everything and keep in constant communication with your relative and the nursing home staff. Talking to other people who have relatives there to get an understanding of their experience is also a good idea.
