The role of nursing home regulations are crucial in helping to prevent Illinois nursing home neglect.  Many cases of neglect and abuse stem from a lack of regulation or oversight.  The importance of licensing, inspections and regulation cannot be emphasized enough by Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers. 

In Illinois, approximately 100,000 residents are cared for in over 1200 long-term care facilities.  Many public and private agencies at both federal and state levels are responsible for regulating and inspecting these facilities.  The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are two of the main regulating agencies.  These Departments help the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services certify nursing homes for eligibility in the federal payment reimbursement programs.  Often times, these jurisdictions can overlap.

In addition to state and federal inspections, many nursing homes in Illinois are members of national accrediting organizations.  The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is an independent performance inspector.  The Department’s Bureau of Long-Term Care is another agency responsible for making sure nursing homes follow all provisions of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act.  They also conduct surveys to ensure any facility receiving Medicaid or Medicare money follows all state and federal regulations.

Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys explain that these active regulating agencies have dramatically improved the quality of life for many seniors in long-term care environments.  Despite the measures taken many residents still fall victim to Illinois nursing home neglect.  Every year, over 10,000 surveys are conducted which include licensing inspections, complaint investigations and re-inspections.  More than 5,000 complaints are responded to annually.

Holding nursing homes accountable helps prevent many cases of Illinois nursing home neglect.  Regulatory agencies are crucial in protecting our loved ones in long-term care facility.  If you have any additional questions regarding nursing home regulations, contact a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney.

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The latest series of posts have detailed nursing home resident rights in Illinois.  Nursing home negligence lawyers stress to stay educated about rights you or a loved one deserve as a resident in a long-term care environment.  These rights include the right to remain in your facility, the right to privacy, property rights, the right to participate in your care, citizen rights, financial rights and federal protection under Medicare or Medicaid.

Illinois nursing home neglect has become rampant and we owe it to our elderly citizens to improve the quality of life on a day-to-day basis.  Education is the first step in preventing abuse or neglect in Chicago.  Nursing home abuse attorneys recommend reading the latest series of posts regarding resident rights to improve your understanding of rights that should be respected at all times.

These important rights and protections are according to federal and state law.  Every long term care facility resident in Illinois deserves to be treated with the highest respect and every step should be taken to maximize quality of life.

If you believe any of the rights highlighted in the latest posts have been violated, contact an experienced Chicago nursing home abuse attorney immediately.  He or she can explain these rights in further detail if necessary and help seek justice if you or a loved one has been the victim of Illinois nursing home neglect.

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In Chicago, nursing home abuse attorneys work diligently to protect the rights of nursing home residents and to help prevent cases of Illinois nursing home neglect.  The last few posts have focused on resident rights in long-term care environments.  Financial rights of nursing home residents must be respected.  Understanding your legal rights related to payment is important, especially when Medicare or Medicaid is involved.

Any long-term care facility must provide residents with a contract stating the specific services provided by the facility and how much they cost according to Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers.  The contract must detail any expense that is not part of the regular rate.  The only person who can be required to pay your bill besides yourself is a court appointed guardian.  Facilities cannot require anyone else to sign an agreement to pay your bill.

If you have Medicaid, your residence cannot make you pay for anything that has already been paid by Medicaid.  Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys recommend asking for a written list of all services Medicaid pays for.  In addition to this right, your facility cannot make you promise not to apply for Medicare or Medicaid.  Your facility has a legal obligation to give you information about how to apply for these programs.

Financial rights must be respected at all times.  If you have questions about your rights or Illinois nursing home neglect or abuse, contact an Illinois nursing home negligence lawyer immediately.  Paying for nursing home care can be complicated and tricky.  Having an experienced attorney is imperative to ensuring your rights are fully protected.

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One of the most important rights Americans have are civil rights as citizens of the United States of America.  All too often, nursing home residents are denied basic citizens and resident rights according to a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney.  We owe our aging citizens dignity and respect.  Any violation of citizen or facility resident rights is a form of Illinois nursing home neglect.  Understanding and education about rights as a citizen is one way to protect yourself or loved ones in a nursing home.  You do not lose your rights as a citizen of the United States if you live in a long-term care environment.

In this post, Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers detail specific citizen rights that should be respected at all times.  Some of these rights include the following:

• You have the right to vote for the candidate of your choice
• You have the right to view inspection reports from the Illinois Department of Health for the last five years and any recent surveys
• You have the right to freedom of religion.  If you choose to pay costs involved, your facility must make arrangements for you to attend any religious service you desire.
• You have the right to participate in community and social activities
• You have the right to assert your rights or present grievances to your facility
• You have the right to present any outside organization or advocate with any grievances

In addition to these rights, if a court of law has appointed a legal guardian for you, or if you have named an agent under a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, this individual(s) may exercise your rights for you.  Any grievance you wish to present to an outside organization or advocate can be directed to the following agencies:

• Illinois Department of Public Health: 1-800-252-4343
• Equip for Equality Inc: 1-800-537-2632
• Illinois Department of Public Health: 1-800-252-4343

If you feel any of these facility and citizen rights have been violated, contact a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney immediately.

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Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers have been detailing nursing home residents’ rights in the latest series of posts.  This discussion highlights the right to safety and good care.  In Illinois, nursing home neglect cases are becoming more widespread.  Understanding your rights and educating yourself is one way to prevent abuse and neglect.

Every resident has the right to safety.  Your facility must provide all necessary services to keep your mental and physical health at the highest possible level along with a sense of satisfaction within yourself.  Your residence should be clean and at a constant healthy temperature.  Any physical, mental or sexual abuse should not be tolerated.  You must not be restrained unless absolutely necessary and with your agreement.  Any medicine that is mood altering should only be given with your permission and alongside an overall plan.

You have the right to good care.  Our last post a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney explained in detail the right to participate in your own care.  Your facility must make all reasonable arrangements to meet your needs and choices.  Many people are under the assumption that residing in a nursing home means giving up rights to make decisions about health care.  You have the right to choose your own doctor, make decisions about any medicine you take and refuse medical procedures.

The right to safety and good care must be respected at all times.  If you feel either of these rights have been violated, Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers can provide legal support.  Any form of Illinois nursing home neglect or abuse is intolerable.

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This series has included discussions on preventing Illinois nursing home neglect through understanding residents’ rights in nursing homes and other long-term care environments.  One of the most important residents’ rights is to participate in their own care.  If you or a loved one feels this right has or is being violated, contact a Chicago personal injury attorney immediately.  The following items describe the right to self-care in detail:

• You have the right to see any medical record within twenty four hours of your request.  Copies of medical records should be given within two working days of advanced notice if you choose to purchase a copy.
• You have the right to be in charge of taking your own medicine if your doctor and care team are in agreement
• You have the right to move out of your facility
• You have the right to select your own doctor
• You have the right to refuse any medical procedure or treatment
• You have the right to make a Durable Power or Attorney or Living Will
• You have the right to refuse experimental treatment

These examples highlight a few rights that should be adhered to at all times.  Any violation of these rights could be subject to legal action for Illinois nursing home neglect.  Each nursing home resident must be treated with respect, dignity and all efforts should be made to ensure a consistent and high quality of care.  Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers can assist you if you feel you have been subject to a violation of personal care rights.

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In the past few posts, Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers have been describing in detail the rights all nursing home residents have.  Education is extremely important in preventing Illinois nursing home neglect.  Many residents and their family members are simply unaware when signs of abuse or neglect occur.  Understanding resident’s rights will increase the chance of having a positive nursing home experience.

Nursing home residents have a right to personal property, including clothing.  They have the right to wear and keep any appropriate clothing they desire.  If enough space is present, residents have the right to keep and use their own property, including furniture.  Any personal property must not interfere with the health or safety of other residents.

Any long-term care facility must have a safe place to keep any valuable items that can easily be accessed daily.  In addition, facilities must make an effort to keep any personal belongings from being stolen or lost.  If anything goes missing, the facility has a responsibility to find it.

Respecting personal property rights must take place in every nursing home around Chicago.  Personal injury attorneys can be of great assistance if you feel you or a loved one has had this important right violated.  Any form of Illinois nursing home neglect should not be tolerated for any length of time.

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In this serious of posts, we have been discussing nursing home resident’s rights.  One form of Illinois nursing home neglect involves financial abuse.  Elderly residents and citizens are often taken advantage of monetarily.  Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers can help you take legal action if you feel a loved one’s financial rights or your own have been violated.

As a nursing home resident, you have the right to manage your own money.  Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities cannot manage your money or be your Social Security representative payee.  The only exception is if you specifically ask your facility to manage your money.  They can only do so if they are a Medicare or Medicaid certified facility according to a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney.

If your facility manages your money, it may do so only with your permission according to law.  You must receive an itemized written statement every three months of all transactions including money going in and coming out.  If you live in a licensed facility and have over $100.00, your financial manager must put your money in an interest accruing bank account.  The same law applies to Medicaid facilities if you have over $50.00.  If a resident passes away, the facility has thirty days to give the executor a final accounting of all money left in any managed accounts.

Financial rights must be respected for all nursing home residents.  Any denial of rights or financial abuse is a direct form of Illinois nursing home neglect and should not be tolerated.  Skilled Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers can fight for your rights if you feel you have been the victim of financial abuse.

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In our previous post, we discussed the right to remain in a nursing home facility unless you are endangering others or not paying the nursing home bill.  Another important right as a nursing home resident is the right to privacy.  In Illinois, nursing home neglect is all too common, and the lack of respecting the right to privacy is unlawful.  Adjusting to living in a nursing home life can be difficult, furthering the need to have privacy rights protected.

According to Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers, privacy rights are protect by law.  Medical and personal care matters must be kept private.  Staff members must respect your right to privacy during examinations and care.  Your door must be knocked on prior to entrance of any nursing home employee.  The only time a facility can give information about you or your care is if you are being transferred to another nursing home facility or to a hospital.

You also have the right to ask any visitor to leave your personal living area says one of our Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys.  In addition, you have the right to make or receive phone calls in private.  Any mail that arrives or is sent out must be handled in a timely fashion.  No one is allowed to open your mail without your permission.

According to the I-CARE Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, if you are married you have the right to share a room with your husband.  The only time this right can be taken away is if no room is available or your doctor does not permit you to share a room for medical reasons.

If you have any further questions regarding the right to privacy, or feel you or a loved one has had this important right violated, contact one of our experienced Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers immediately.

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Many nursing home residents do not understand their federal and state rights in Illinois.  Nursing home negligence lawyers work diligently in an effort to educate residents, their family members or loved ones, and to protect individuals from Illinois nursing home neglect. 

As a nursing home resident, you have the right to stay in a nursing home facility.  If you are dangerous to yourself or others, or have not been paying your bill, the facility can force you to move.  If you are applying for Medicaid or already have Medicaid you cannot be forced to leave the facility.  In addition, if you are in a Medicare or Medicaid facility, you have the right to be told ahead of time if your roommate or room is going to be changed.

Nursing homes must adhere to strict guidelines if they force you to move.  If you are in a state-licensed facility, you must be given a written notice twenty one days in advance.  If you are in a Medicaid or Medicare facility, the written notice must be given thirty days in advance.  According to Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys, written notices must include the following:

• The reason why you are being asked to move
• How you can appeal to the Illinois Department of Public Health
• The forms needed to appeal
• A stamped, addressed envelope to mail your appeal to the Department of Health

If you decide to appeal to the Illinois Department of Public Health, your facility cannot force you to leave until the appeal has been determined.  Also, you must be provided proper preparation and orientation to ensure your discharge is safe.

If you require hospitalization, you must be allowed to return to your facility, unless you are given a written notice.  If your hospitalization is less than ten days, you have the right to return to your facility.  If your hospitalization lasts longer than ten days and your prior facility is full upon your release, you have the right to the first available room.

Any denial of rights in nursing home residents is a form of Illinois nursing home neglect.  If you feel you have been forced from your nursing home unlawfully, Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers can provide assistance and legal recourse.

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