Nursing home negligence is a serious issue at nursing facilities in Illinois and across the United States. It usually occurs when a resident does not receive quality care and comfortable living conditions resulting in not only significant physical damage but also deterioration of psychological health. Thus, it is highly important to learn about the signs of negligence in a nursing home to ensure the wellbeing of your loved ones. If you find any evidence of negligence, you can initiate a legal claim by hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Signs of Nursing Home Negligence
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Poor personal hygiene – Nurses and other stuff are responsible to assist the residents with their basic personal hygiene. For instance, they need support with brushing their teeth, bathing, clipping their nails, and other tasks. When a resident is neglected, they attempt to carry out these tasks by themselves and often they are unable to perform them correctly, which results in poor personal hygiene.
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Poor living conditions – Nursing homes are obligated to provide a clean and safe environment to their residents. Federal law contains comprehensive guidelines that all nursing home facilities should adhere to ensure that residents are provided with a sanitary living condition. Neglecting these duties may potentially result in sickness and development of health-related issues, thus you must ensure that your loved one has clean bedding, clothing, and access to clean bathrooms.
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Lack of nutrition or dehydration – Neglect can also result in physical issues such as dehydration or malnutrition. The lack of oversight or individualize care, mainly due to inadequate or incompetent staff may lead to such physical problems. Though the resident’s medical condition must also be taken into consideration when considering their physical health.
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Lack of mobility – Nursing homes should ensure that the residents remain active, either by moving around or through daily exercise. Even a mere walking program can provide a multitude of health benefits such as improved blood circulation, reduced spasms, and contractures, and increased balance, to name a few. A lack of mobility means that a person is left sedentary for an extended period of time, which may possibly result in bed sores or other infections.
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Wounds or Injuries – If a resident has sustained injuries such as bruises or wounds, it indicates that they may have been subjected to abuse or neglect in the nursing home. It is not necessary that a nurse or other staff deliberately caused them any harm, but not providing assistance or neglecting their respective duties may also lead to such injuries, which can have a severe impact on their health, especially due to the old age.
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Deteriorating Psychological Health – If a resident shows signs or symptoms which indicate a decline in their emotional or psychological health, it is critical to address these issues on a priority basis. They might be suffering from depression, anxiety, or other similar conditions which may cause them to neglect themselves. For instance, they refuse to eat, take medicine, or perform basic hygiene.
Illinois Nursing Home Negligence Statistics
Nursing home negligence is a critical and pressing issue in Illinois, affecting thousands of elderly residents every year and placing a significant burden on families. Reports of abuse, neglect, and inadequate care are alarmingly common, highlighting the urgent need for stricter regulations, oversight, and comprehensive reform in the nursing home industry. Being informed about the latest statistics and trends in this field can empower families to make educated decisions regarding their loved ones’ care and advocate for higher standards in these facilities.
Nursing Home Negligenceis Rampant in Illinois
Illinois is responsible for overseeing 674 licensed nursing homes across the state. Among these, 263 facilities have been cited for serious deficiencies, indicating a failure to meet established health and safety standards. Additionally, a troubling 614 nursing homes have been flagged specifically for infection-related deficiencies, which raises serious concerns regarding hygiene practices and the overall safety of residents.
Recent inspection reports revealed that several nursing homes in Illinois received 15 or more health citations, a figure that significantly exceeds the national average of 8.3 citations per facility. These serious violations encompass a wide range of issues, including improper medication storage, failure to prevent falls among residents, and lapses in infection control practices. Such deficiencies can lead to dire consequences for vulnerable elderly residents who depend on consistent and competent care. Illinois had the highest total fines of any U.S. nursing homes and the third highest dollar amount per fine.
Common Issues in Illinois Nursing Homes
A variety of factors contribute to nursing home negligence in Illinois, which can manifest in several ways, including:
Understaffing – Many facilities operate with insufficient staffing levels, which can have a detrimental impact on the quality of care provided. When there are not enough staff members to attend to each resident’s needs, it can lead to neglect, increased incidents of accidents, and overall poor patient care.
Improper Medical Treatment – Medication errors, such as incorrect dosages, missed medications, and lack of timely care can jeopardize the health of residents. Complaints regarding improper medical treatment are common and can result in adverse health outcomes for residents.
Physical and Emotional Abuse – Unfortunately, reports of mistreatment persist, including instances of physical harm, verbal abuse, and emotional neglect. These abuses can occur due to a lack of training or inadequate supervision of staff members.
Poor Sanitation and Hygiene – Infection-related deficiencies point to systemic issues with cleanliness and sanitation standards in some facilities. Unsanitary conditions can lead to outbreaks of infections, posing serious health risks to residents.
Legal and Financial Impact
The implications of nursing home negligence extend beyond the immediate harm to residents. Illinois nursing homes have faced substantial financial consequences, amounting to $78.4 million in penalties due to various violations. In addition, there have been 590 payment suspensions tied to these violations, which indicate serious ongoing issues within these facilities.
Families that have been affected by negligence frequently pursue legal action, resulting in significant settlements that draw increased public attention and scrutiny toward the practices of these institutions. This legal pressure can drive hospitals and policymakers to re-evaluate regulations and enforcement.
Improving Nursing Home Care
To address the pressing issues surrounding nursing home negligence, Illinois has implemented a variety of measures aimed at improving the quality of care provided to residents. These initiatives include:
Stricter Inspections – The state has enhanced its inspection protocols to more effectively identify and penalize negligent facilities, ensuring that residents receive the care they are entitled to under the law.
Increased Staffing Requirements – New regulations have been established to mandate higher staffing ratios, enabling facilities to offer more personalized care and attention to their residents. This helps reduce the risk of neglect and improves overall patient outcomes.
Public Awareness Campaigns – Illinois has launched several educational campaigns aimed at informing families about their rights within nursing homes. These initiatives encourage families to advocate for their loved ones and to be vigilant in monitoring their care.
Contact Our Lake County Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer
By understanding the gravity of nursing home negligence and the statistics that illustrate its scope in Illinois, families can make informed choices and push for better care standards within these facilities. If you suspect that an elderly loved one is experiencing neglect or abuse in a nursing home, it is crucial to report your concerns to the appropriate authorities. Doing so can facilitate necessary interventions and help protect vulnerable residents from harm
It can be highly beneficial for your case to procure services of a competent nursing home negligence lawyer as they will devise a strong case against the nursing home to seek rightful compensation for the sufferings of your loved one. Even if you just have a suspicion that a nursing home is not offering the level of care that a reasonable resident might expect, it can be in your best interests to have a local nursing home negligence attorney to navigate you through the legal process to take any action.
If you believe that your loved one is being mistreated in a nursing home or want to learn more about nursing home negligence or how to pursue a legal claim, contact The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens today at (847) 395-2200 to schedule a free consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer.
As disturbing it may be for you to imagine, but every day, a sizable segment of the elderly population in nursing homes is neglected, abused, or victimized in one form or the other. 