Illinois Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyers

Nursing Home Abuse Statistics Illustrate An Alarming Problem

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are over 100,000 nursing home residents in Illinois alone. Nursing homes throughout the state have all too often had serious problems regarding the care of those in need. In fact, the federal government’s Health and Human Services organization has found that over one-third of these care facilities were found to have failed to meet all required standards of care required by law. Problems at these homes can quickly result in horrific harm to residents. With almost 200 nursing homes in Chicago alone, many Illinois nursing home residents are in danger every day.

Some of the most disturbing statistics regarding nursing home abuse and neglect include:

• About ten percent of nursing home residents will experience some sort of abuse during their stay
• Over 90 percent of nursing home residents in Illinois report having felt neglected by their caretakers
• The American Association of Justice reports that only one in 14 incidents of nursing home abuse are reported to the appropriate authorities

Common Types Of Nursing Home Abuse

Our nursing home neglect attorneys have worked with many families in Illinois after their loved ones have suffered due to the careless or malicious actions of someone while they stayed in a long term care facility. We know that every case is different. The signs of abuse might be difficult to notice in your case. Furthermore, it can be difficult to determine exactly who is at fault if your loved one is not getting the care they deserve. Cases of intentional or negligent neglect may not start when your family member first begins receiving care. For these reasons, it’s very important to remain vigilant and to understand that abuse can happen at any time.

Some common types of elder abuse and neglect that we have seen include:

• Bedsores or injuries – Bedsores can develop when a person is not receiving the amount of physical movement or support that they need. Many beds are in need of repairs or are not kept clean, and this can easily result in accidents and harm.
• Mobility-related injuries – Those staying in nursing homes often have a difficult time walking, and those caring for them must take proper measures to prevent unnecessary falls. Falling can easily damage bones or muscles in a person who already has physical issues.
• Negligent use of medication – Nursing home staff must understand how to help residents with their drug needs. Careless use of prescription drugs often results in serious harm or even death to victims.
• Sexual abuse – Negligent or malicious nursing home staff often allow or perpetrate sexual abuse regarding residents. Those caring for our loved ones must understand that sexual abuse is a real and serious threat.
• Theft and fraud – Nursing homes, unfortunately, have problems keeping residents safe from those who would steal or defraud them. The facilities must understand these dangers, and take steps to prevent this type of criminal activity.

How To Spot Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect

There is nothing worse than finding out that a loved one has not been properly cared for. However, it’s not always easy to notice that someone in your family is in danger. Most nursing home cases are not obvious to the person’s loved ones.  Keep in mind that every case is different, and we need to be vigilant if a close relative or friend is staying in a nursing home or long care health facility. There are many reasons why we might at first miss signs of abuse. Some people are too proud to ask for help, and they will not speak up since they do not want to cause a burden for their children or family. In other situations, it’s common for nursing home residents do not know they are the victims of careless or malicious acts.

It’s important to watch for signs of nursing home abuse if you have a loved one in a long term care facility. While they can be sometimes difficult to notice, some signs that your loved one is not receiving the care they deserve include:

• Unexplained injuries such as broken bones or bruises
• Damaged items such as eyeglasses
• An unwillingness of the caregiver to leave you alone with the person receiving care
• Sudden and unusual changes in behavior
• Unsafe living conditions such as lack of heat or running water
• Being improperly dressed for the weather
• Missing cash or valuables without an explanation
• Lack of medical care even if the person in need has the money to afford it
• Improper or inconsistent doses of prescription medication