Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers are dedicated to seeking justice for residents who have been victims of Illinois nursing home neglect.  Instead of taking action after neglect or abuse has occurred, a stronger, proactive plan is necessary to prevent neglect and abuse from happening.  Reducing Illinois nursing home neglect is crucial and will take more effort than we are making now.

Three main steps to preventing abuse and neglect are:

1. Listening to residents, their nurses or caregivers
2. Intervening when you suspect neglect or abuse
3. Educating others about how to recognize Illinois nursing home neglect

If you are a nurse or caregiver and are overwhelmed by the demands of caring for an elder request help from friends, relatives or local respite care agencies.  Do your best to stay healthy and get medical care when necessary.  Applying stress reduction practices, seeking counseling for depression, and finding a support group can be extremely helpful.  Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys stress to get help immediately if you are having problems with drug
or alcohol abuse.    If you have a loved one in a nursing home, watch for warning signs that may indicate Illinois nursing home neglect.  Report any abuse, even if you feel it is a small suspicion.  Keep an eye on your loved one’s medications and
observe if the amount matches the date of the prescription.  Watch for financial abuse.  Ask your loved one if you can help monitor bank accounts and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.  Call and visit as often as you can.

If you are not in a position to directly help an elderly resident, you can volunteer or donate money to the cause of educating people about nursing home neglect.  You can help lobby to strengthen Illinois state laws and policing so that abuse and neglect among elderly citizens can be investigated and prosecuted.  Contact an Illinois nursing home negligence lawyer for further information or if you suspect a loved one has already been a victim of Illinois nursing home neglect.

Popularity: 55% [?]

Share This

Illinois nursing home neglect affects thousands of elderly residents every year.  Caregivers and nurses can experience stress at levels that lead to neglect and elder abuse.  In some cases, neglect is unintentional explains a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney.  Staff members pushed beyond their capabilities or psychological resources may not intentionally strike, yell at or ignore needs of residents.  Identifying risk factors can help prevent Illinois nursing home neglect before it happens.

Nursing home staff members may be more likely to neglect or abuse residents if they lack training, are unsuited for the job, have too many responsibilities or work under poor conditions.  Taking care of elderly residents can be satisfying and enriching yet the demands and responsibilities can take their toll.  The stress of taking care of elderly residents can lead to physical and mental health problems that turn caring friendly nurses to burned out, impatient  individuals, lashing out at
residents.  Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers offer the following list as potential risk factors for Illinois nursing home neglect:

• Depression
• Lack of support from co-workers and administration
• Substance abuse
• Inability to cope with stress
• A perception that taking care of elderly residents is burdensome

In addition, risk factors exist among elderly residents as well that does not excuse abuse but can increase the risk for Illinois nursing home neglect.

• The resident’s tendency to physical or verbal aggression
• The intensity of the resident’s illness or dementia
• Social isolation
• The resident’s role at an earlier time, as an abusive parent or spouse

Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys are dedicated to protecting nursing home residents from being victims of neglect or abuse.  Although risk factors can be subtle, becoming familiar with situations that can escalate to abuse is crucial to keeping loved ones protected.

Popularity: 43% [?]

Share This

Restraints are often used in nursing homes as a temporary measure in providing needed medical treatment.  When used without necessity, restraints can be a form of Illinois nursing home neglect.  Applying physical restraints routinely or for prolonged periods should be avoided whenever possible.  Recent research suggests that restraints are more likely to cause harm than prevent harm.

Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers have found through past cases that restraints can cause strangulation or lead to muscle and bone weakness.  Restrained individuals often feel humiliated or become depressed, withdrawn or agitated when freedom of movement is taken away from them.

Restraints can increase the risk of falls and other serious injuries according to Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys.  Studies have consistently demonstrated that there is no increase in serious injuries when less restrictive safety measures are used in place of physical restraints.  Many alternatives to restraint use exist and include:

• Use of positioning devices such as padded furniture or body and seat cushions
• Design of the physical environment to allow for close observation by staff
• Personal rehabilitation and strengthening program
• Use of door alarms for residents with a risk of wandering
• Use of chair or bed alarms to signal staff when a resident needs assistance
• Regular attention to physical and personal needs
• Use of personal assistance devices such as visual aids, hearing aids or mobility devices
• Efforts to increase staff awareness of a resident’s needs

If you feel a loved one is being restrained unnecessarily and you live in the state of Illinois, nursing home negligence lawyers can be of assistance.  Excessive use of physical restraints can be a sign of Illinois nursing home neglect and should not be tolerated.

Popularity: 49% [?]

Share This

Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers are dedicated to protecting residents in nursing homes throughout the state.  Receiving news that a loved one has been the victim of Illinois nursing home neglect can be devastating.  You may know you need legal help, but aren’t sure how to go about consulting an attorney.

The best way to help a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney is to supply as much documentation as possible related to the neglect or abuse.  The following list includes suggestions on how to prepare prior to meeting with your attorney:

• Keep a diary or log of everything that happens
• Keep copies of any complaints made to the nursing home or government agencies
• Keep copies of the patient’s contract with the nursing home
• Collect any documents the nursing home sent such as incident reports, changes to policies or announcements
• Collect medical records for any treatment for any injuries
• Take note of any changes you or anyone else notices in the resident’s appearance, demeanor and speech

Protecting residents from Illinois nursing home neglect and seeking justice for individuals who have already been victims is imperative.  The relationship between you and your Chicago nursing home abuse attorney is critical.  Be honest and talk openly about any concerns or questions you have.

Popularity: 36% [?]

Share This

In the previous post, Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers discussed Adult Protective Services (APS).  In this post they will highlight the ethical principles and practice guidelines for this important service.  APS strives to ensure the safety and well-being of elders and adults with disabilities from being mistreated, abused or neglected.  This service has protected many individuals from Illinois nursing home neglect.

APS has two main values which govern their actions:

1. Every action taken by Adult Protective Services must balance the duty to protect the safety of the vulnerable adult with the adult’s right to self-determination.
2. Older people and people with disabilities who are victims of abuse, exploitation or neglect should be treated with honesty, caring and respect.

The following list highlights guidelines of APS:

• Recognize individual differences
• Avoid imposing personal values on others
• Recognize the interests of the adult are the first concern of any intervention
• Involve the adult as much as possible in developing the service plan
• Honor the right of adults to receive information about their choices and options in a form or manner they can understand
• Respect the adult’s right to keep personal information confidential
• Seek informed consent form the adult before providing services
• Do no harm.  Inadequate or inappropriate intervention may be worse than no intervention
• Maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries
• Use substituted judgment in case planning when historical knowledge of the adult’s values is available

A Chicago nursing home abuse attorney reports on the ethical principles of Adult Protective Services:

• Adults have the right to accept or refuse services
• Adults have the right to be safe
• Adults retain all their civil and constitutional rights unless some of these rights have been restricted by court action
• Adults have the right to make decisions that do not conform with societal norms as long as these decisions do no harm others
• Adults are presumed to have decision making capacity unless a court adjudicates otherwise

Despite the role Adult Protective Services plays in protecting adults in danger or neglect or abuse, many victims are still mistreated throughout the state of Illinois.  Nursing home negligence lawyers are dedicated to protecting our loved ones.  If you or someone you know has been a victim, experienced Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys are on your side.

Popularity: 40% [?]

Share This

Many people are unaware of Adult Protective Services (APS).  These services aim to ensure the safety and well-being of elders and adults who are in danger of being neglected or abused.  Many elderly residents in nursing homes are unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm.  Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers and APS are dedicated to protecting residents from being victims of Illinois nursing home neglect.

APS caseworkers are often first responders to reports of neglect or abuse of vulnerable adults.  In addition to casework services, APS also can arrange for medical, economic, social, legal, law enforcement, housing and emergency services.  Additional services include investigating reports, monitoring and evaluating cases of vulnerable adults.

What defines a vulnerable adult is a questions Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys have been asked.  A vulnerable adult is defined as “a person who is being mistreated or is in danger of mistreatment and who, due to age and/or disability is unable to protect himself or herself.”

Additional Adult Protective Services include:

• Developing a case plan
• Assessing a victim’s risk
• Receiving reports of adult abuse, neglect and/or exploitation
• Investigating received reports
• Assessing the victim’s capacity to understand his or her risk
• Service monitoring
• Evaluation
• Arranging for legal assistance

Adult Protection Services is dedicating to protecting our beloved loved ones.  If you or a loved one has been the victim of neglect or abuse in Illinois, nursing home negligence lawyers with extensive experience are dedicated to pursuing justice and holding responsible parties responsible.

Popularity: 44% [?]

Share This

Determining whether or not you have a legitimate case is not always an exact science explains Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers.  Determinations involve professional judgments of attorneys and medical experts.  Often times, an individual is told he or she does not have a legitimate case.  If you fall into this category, seek a second opinion from a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney.

The first step in pursuing an Illinois nursing home neglect case involves suspecting you or a loved one has been a victim.  All too often, the actual victim is not capable of communicating or reporting the neglect.  If you have a “gut feeling” contact an Illinois nursing home negligence lawyer.  The next step involves giving written notice to the party that is believed to have committed the neglect.

Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys often receive questions regarding how long a case will take.  No simple answer exists to this question.  The majority of cases are settled prior to trial, with some settling prior to filing a lawsuit.  If a case goes to trial, it can last for years.  A quick resolution is not guaranteed.

Competent Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers can assist you with all the necessary steps to take and answer any additional questions if you are pursuing an Illinois nursing home neglect case.

Popularity: 28% [?]

Share This

A little known but not uncommon cause of death to nursing home residents is entrapment in bedrails.  Bedrails are simple, metal devices designed to be helpful to residents who can use them to pull themselves up, prevent falls and prevent rolling out of bed.  Sadly, residents can get trapped between the mattress and bedrail, leading to serious injury or death according to Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers.

Many nursing homes in Illinois are unaware they are expected to report bedrail injuries.  Other nursing homes fail to report bedrail incidents for fear of legal liability and accusations of Illinois nursing home neglect and/or bad publicity.
Bedrail injuries and death can be prevented.  Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys can help pursue justice if you or a loved one has been the victim of this type of injury.  FDA guidelines exist, instructing nursing homes how to make calculations to ensure that beds are assembled correctly.

When bed parts (frame, rails, mattress) come from separate companies, assembly may be dangerous.  Frail residents are particularly in danger if they slip their arm or head into a gap.  When beds are constructed properly, risks to nursing home residents are much lower.

Bedrails by themselves are not an indication of an unsafe environment.  If you have a loved one in a nursing home, check for gaps between the mattress, bed frame and bedrail.  If your loved one has already been injured as the result of a bedrail, Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers can help pursue justice.

Popularity: 26% [?]

Share This