Bedsores and pressure ulcers are two of the main medical issues affecting residents in nursing homes.  These sores and ulcers are excruciatingly painful and also unsightly to those who suffer from them.  With the amount of Illinois nursing home neglect cases increasing, any step to prevent bed sores and pressure ulcers is a step in the right direction.  A recent program involving over fifty nursing homes resulted in a reduction of severe bedsores by 69%.  A Chicago nursing home abuse attorney explains how this program focused on prevention measures such as:

• Loose Fitting Clothing
• Protein Powders in Cookies
• Increased Mobility
• New Mattresses with High-Density Foam
• Increased Documentation with Detailed Information on Residents

Regardless of age, every individual has a desire to keep their skin healthy.  Awareness of pressure ulcers and preventative measures are helping to improve the quality of life for nursing home residents.  The team efforts and attentive nurses in this recent program have produced promising numbers and has helped to create a more personal environment.

Expanding this preventative program into other long-term care environments and nursing homes will be extremely beneficial to nursing home residents.  It is time to focus on preventative measures instead of relying on treatments for these conditions.  If you feel a loved one is suffering from bed sores or pressure ulcers due to the negligence of a nursing home, contact a Illinois nursing home negligence lawyer today.

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In Illinois, nursing home neglect or abuse can take many forms.  Mainly, we hear about physical and financial abuse of elders.  Physical abuse normally includes battery, assault or sexual offenses.  Financial abuse is usually undue influence or fraud.  Any type of abuse is unacceptable and should be immediately reported.

Another form of abuse exists in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  This type of abuse is not necessarily physical, but instead a form of neglect.  The physical and emotional health of residents in nursing homes depends greatly on the quality of care they receive.  Unfortunately, many cases of neglect in nursing homes go unreported.  Often, the resident is fearful of reporting any abuse because he or she is afraid of retribution or the possibility of being transferred.  It is also important to remember that a decline in health status is not always due to neglect and therefore, necessary to contact a professional Chicago nursing home abuse attorney for advice.

Any sudden illness, injury or death is important to investigate.  Often the cause can be due to old age and previous health problems.  Illness or even death could be the natural cause and not abuse or neglect.  If you feel a loved one has been the victim of any type of abuse, contact an Illinois nursing home negligence lawyer who has experience with nursing home neglect cases and can help determine the course of action.

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Illinois nursing home neglect has risen over the years, and due the widespread abuse both locally and nationwide, federal officials have recently introduced a star ranking system to evaluate nursing homes.  Ratings are based on state inspections, quality measures and staffing levels.  Stars are received in each of the main criterias, with additional ranks based on overall quality.  Under this system a nursing home can receive between one and five stars.

• One Star: Extremely Below Average
• Two Stars: Below Average
• Three Stars: About Average
• Four Stars: Above Average
• Five Stars: Extremely Above Average

Inspections carried out over three years are used by The Centers for Medicare and Services to rate the nursing homes.  The staffing rating is determined by the number of hours of nurses or other staff members dedicated to each patient on a daily basis.  The quality rating includes ten areas such as the amount of bed sores after the first three months and any residents who have had worsened mobility since arrival.

Federal officials are striving towards challenging nursing homes to improve their care.  The nursing home industry has criticized the star system as being too simplistic for a complicated care environment.  Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers express that consumers should take note of the star ratings, but not to base the choice of a nursing home only on those ratings when comparing facilities.

If you have any questions regarding negligence or abuse in nursing homes, or if you feel a loved one might be in danger, contact a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney immediately.

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In Illinois, nursing home falls are increasing and the first question often asked is “Could that fall have been prevented?”  Each year, nursing homes report 1.5 falls per bed,  and many actually go unreported.  Tragically, almost 2,000 people living in nursing homes die annually due to a fall.  Not all falls can be prevented, but appropriate measures can be taken to help prevent future falls.

With Illionis nursing home neglect a rampant issue, every step must be taken to prevent falls.  Regular risk assessments must take place for each resident for risk of falling.  When a fall occurs, a separate report must be completed to determine why the fall took place and how to prevent the same type of fall from happening in the future.

Precautions are also important to take regarding making physical changes in a nursing home to increase fall protection.  These changes might include the addition of grab bars, lowering of beds, raising toilet seats or installing bed alarms for at-risk residents.

Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers have dealt with many cases involving injuries from falls in long-term care environments.  Not every fall stems from negligence in the nursing home, but some falls have a direct correlation.  If you feel a loved one has been injured from a fall due to the lack of appropriate measures being taken, contact  a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney immediately.

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Often times, people ask for recommendations for a good long term care environment or nursing home.  In Illinois, nursing home neglect is a huge problem and finding a good nursing home can be a huge advantage in preventing abuse from occurring.  Keep in mind, the nicer a home appears on the outside or the more expensive a home is does not always equate to excellent care.  Smaller, less expensive homes often provide above average services; therefore, judging by the price or design of a nursing home is not always a good idea.

A Chicago nursing home abuse attorney gives recommendations on how to select a good home. First narrow down the choices by what will suit needs of the resident the best.  Maybe it is location to family or friends, or possibly a specific specialty such as dementia care.  When you have narrowed it down to two or three, visit the facility and ask for a tour.  Speaking with the admissions director or the administrator is extremely important.  During the tour, talk to other residents, ask questions and try to speak in private with them if possible.  Find out what they like and dislike.  Once you have picked out the facility you like best, return a few days later without announcing your arrival.  You want to have an idea of the real facility, and not the one from the official tour.

The next step when you are close to deciding is to visit the Department of Social Services and ask to look at the facilities’ public file.  Inspection reports are available to view, and any abuse or neglect claim in the last few years will be on the report.  Ask to speak to an evaluator if possible and see if he or she can offer any recommendations or advice.  Trust your instincts when choosing a home.  Preventing Illinois nursing home neglect needs to stay a top priority.  If you have any questions regarding assistance choosing a nursing home, contact an Illinois nursing home negligence lawyer today.

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In Illinois, nursing home neglect and abuse has become an increasing issue, and not all incidents are perpetrated by staff members. Recent research indicates an alarming trend of peer-on-peer abuse. A Chicago nursing home abuse attorney explains that this type of peer-on-peer abuse has become just as prevalent as mistreatment from the employees in long-term care environments.

The main type of aggressive behavior from peers is screaming, followed by pushing, punching and fighting.  More than thirty types of verbal and physical abuse have been identified and a growing percentage of residents have been the target of verbal aggression and/or physical violence. In nursing homes, people live close together, and with the close proximity of people coupled with many cases of dementia, peer-on-peer incidents are not surprising. Dementia can lead to lower inhibitions and aggressive behavior. As more studies are conducted, the staff in nursing homes will be better equipped to handle abuse between peers in nursing homes.

If you have any questions about peer-on-peer abuse in a nursing home, or feel that a loved one’s rights have been violated, contact an Illinois nursing home negligence lawyer today.

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In Illinois, nursing home neglect has become a huge problem and unfortunately our beloved eldery citizens are experiencing abuse.  Signs of neglect or abuse can be physical, behavioral, or financial.  Many times, these signs are subtle; the following is a list of different descriptions that are not necessarily proof of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. They may however include clues that a problem exists.  Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers stress the important of being aware of neglect signals.  

Physical Signs:

An injury that has not received proper care
Forced isolation
Pain when touched
Sunken cheeks or eyes
Lack of necessites; food, water or utilities
An inconsistent explanation for the cause of an injury
Poor coloration
Soiled bed or clothing
Administration of medicine in an inappropriate manner
Lack of personal items

Behavioral signs:

Agitation
Fear
Anger
Withdrawal depression or isolation
Non-responsivenes or ambivalence
Statements with contradictions
Disorientation
Confusion

Signs of Financial Abuse:

Expensive gifts given to a caregiver
Unusual bank activity
Checks made out frequently to “cash”
Signatures on legal documents that are different than the normal signature
Tax return irregularities

Caregivers are often the source of abuse and neglect.  Signs of this type of abuse include the refusal of the caregiver to allow outside visitors, speaking of the elder as a burden or withholding affection.  Any type of aggressive behavior towards the elder is considered a strong warning sign.  If you have any suspicion abuse is happening to a loved one, contact a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney immediately.

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In Illinois, nursing home neglect is rising quickly, largely due to budget cuts.  Inadequate conditions exist allowing poor hygiene, over-medication and less physical activity.  Illinois nursing home negligence laywers say people often blame Medicare and Medicaid for cutting the budgets.  Without a proper budget, adequate funding is not present to enhance quality of care or increase staff levels; therefore, these long term care facilities are overcrowded and understaffed.  A few progressive facilities have been able to cut budgets while increasing their staffing levels.  These homes are few in number but operate on a “total patient care” system.

Critical action must be taken to prevent Illinois nursing home neglect.The first step is becoming aware and educated about the nursing home system.  The current system of care is far below where it needs to be.  Patients and families both need to understand questions to ask ahead of time to help the prevention of abuse.  Our attorneys work diligently in an attempt for lawmakers and anyone involved overseeing nursing home and long-term facilities to take action.

Our aging citizens deserve proper care and it is time to provide them with a higher standard.  If you feel a loved one’s rights have been violated or if you have any questions regarding long term care in a nursing home environment, please contact a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney today.

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In Illinois, nursing home neglect is sadly a widespread incident.  When certain precautions are made, neglect can often be prevented.  These incidents are less likely to occur when a resident’s loved ones are involved and understand the measures used to help prevent these unfortunate circumstances.

One main tool for a family to become educated on preventing nursing home abuse is the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI).  This tool is used to provide a clinical assessment and help identify resident’s preferences, weaknesses, strengths and needs within the main areas of functioning.  An Illinois nursing home legligence lawyer explains how the design of the RAI greatly assists  in evaluating nursing home residents and provides each resident with an assessment that is comprehensive and standardized.

The components of the Resident Assessment Instrument were originally developed by a research consortium who was under contract with the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA).  The RAI should be completed by a team of speech, physical and occupational therapists, along with dieticians, social workers, pharmacists and nurses.  The attending physician should also be involved.  The information collected helps the team plan for each individual’s care.  Each person involved is required by federal law to sign, date and certify their portion of information is accurate.  A registered nurse is also required to certify that the assessment has been completed.

If you believe a loved one has been the victim of neglect in the nursing home, or if you have questions on how to become more educated about the Resident Assessment Instrument, contact a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney today.

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It is unacceptable, but it is the truth - patients are falling in nursing homes all-too-often. Sadly enough, these falls may often be prevented. Approximately 15% — 28% of falls within skilled nursing facilities are caused by environmental hazards, such as poor lighting, wet floors, clutter, improper bed height and/or lack of bed rails, and equipment (walkers and wheelchairs) that has been poorly maintained, Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers can help you fight for justice for your loved one after an unnecessary fall in a nursing home, as well has help you prevent unnecessary accidents from occuring.

While a person can reasonably accept that there are circumstances that commonly increase the risk of falls among the aging, licensed care providers are mandated by law to assess the risk of falling for each and every patient and when necessary, initiate a care plan to prevent such injury. Licensed care facilities must also ensure a safe, manageable environment free of obstructions and hazards. In Chicago, nursing home abuse attorneys can help you assess whether or not negligence may have been a factor in the case of a fall.

It is estimated 75% of nursing home and long-term care residents fall each year (twice the number of falls suffered by the elderly living independently within their communities), 1,800 of which will be fatal. An additional 10% - 20% will suffer serious injuries, many of which could have been prevented.

Preventative measures can and should be taken if you believe your loved one is compromised mentally or physically in such a way that the risk of falling is present. Discuss your concerns with staff. A knowledgeable Chicago nursing home abuse attorney recommends asking for a care plan to be put into place within the medical record for all care providers to follow. If an explanation has been given suggesting an injury occurred as a result of a fall, a facility then has a duty to put preventative measures in place to protect the patient from future injuries. Family members or a patient’s representative must inquire as to why such an injury/accident was not anticipated, and what preventative measures will be taken in the future.

In Illinois, nursing home negligence lawyers familiar with nursing home neglect can help you obtain a complete medical record for review. Sadly, families often learn far too late that injuries caused by falling have occurred in the past/frequently, and could have — should have — been prevented altogether. Family members cannot and should not be expected to anticipate all the additional needs their loved ones may require to prevent injury. However, licensed facilities are required by law to be familiar with such risks, provide trained caregivers and staffing levels capable of meeting the needs of their patients, and MUST be held accountable when preventable injuries occur.

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