When faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to entrust care of a loved one to a long-term or assisted living facility, there are many issues to consider. Whom can you trust? How do you prevent the unthinkable – abuse or neglect – from happening? If you live in Illinois, nursing home neglect may be an issue you have heard about in the news. So, are there laws in place to help protect our beloved family members from sub-standard care?For many personal injury attorneys in Illinois, nursing home neglect is at the forefront of enemy lines of the battles fought every day. The good news is that long-term care IS governed by different federal and state laws depending on the type of facility you choose.  However, many facilities blatantly disregard regulations. Thus, before signing any contracts, it is a very good idea to have an Illinois nursing home negligence lawyer review the paperwork, as well as assist you in evaluating the standard of care according to the law.

You may not have known that residents and family members MUST participate in the “new resident Care Plan” in addition to subsequent plans. A nursing home MUST develop an individualized plan of care for each resident so each resident will attain or maintain the resident’s highest practicable physical, mental and psychosocial well being.

42 CFR 483.20(k) requires that a comprehensive plan of care be developed within 7 days of the completion of the comprehensive assessment required upon admission into the facility. The care plan must be prepared by the attending physician, a registered nurse with responsibility for the resident and other appropriate staff in disciplines as determined by the resident’s needs. Experienced Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys can help you review a care plan to ensure you are setting up your loved one for the best in care.  But remember, the safeguard of a Comprehensive Care Plan is meant to avoid nursing home abuse and medical malpractice, but no single law or rule can prevent negligence.

An estimated 30 - 50 % of long-term care environments continue to provide sub-standard care, which is why many Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys are advocating aggressively for change. Hopefully, by becoming more aware of the guidelines for a Comprehensive Care Plan, you can help your loved one receive the care and attention he or she unquestionably deserves.

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