NURSING HOME NEGLECT

When to Consult a Nursing Home Neglect Attorney in Chicago, Rockford or Peoria, IL

Though neglect is not as violent as other forms of nursing home abuse, it can be just as harmful to the physical and mental health of older adults.

Types of Nursing Home Neglect

Elder neglect can take many forms, including:

1.    Abandonment

This occurs when those responsible for an elder desert them with no regard for their well-being.

In 2020, The New York Times noted that nursing homes were removing nursing home residents to make room for COVID-19 patients, which would increase their profits. In one case, a Los Angeles nursing home kicked out an 88-year-old man with dementia and sent him to a homeless shelter without telling his family members.

2.     Medical Neglect

Medical neglect is when nursing home care providers fail to properly treat or prevent health problems. This can result in inadequate diabetic care, bedsores, infections, mobility issues, and other health problems.

3.     Neglect of Basic Needs

This type of neglect occurs when nursing homes fail to provide residents with enough food or water, or a clean, safe environment.

As a result, residents may suffer from malnutrition or dehydration. Residents may also be at a higher risk of many other issues, like falling or theft, if their environment is unsafe.

4.     Neglect of Personal Hygiene

This is the failure of a nursing facility to properly help a resident with dental care, laundry, and bathing. Residents suffering from neglect of personal hygiene may appear dirty and wear soiled clothes.

5.     Self-Neglect

This occurs when older adult loses the ability to care for themselves but does not seek assistance, or refuse help, from others.

Think twice if you believe self-neglect is occurring in a nursing home. Remember, nursing home staff members are supposed to prevent residents from neglecting themselves. If your loved one is showing signs of neglect in a nursing home, the staff might not be doing their job properly.

6.     Social or Emotional Neglect

This may involve ignoring a nursing home resident, leaving them alone, or not letting them interact with friends, family, or other residents.

The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act was passed to protect the rights of residents of “long-term care facilities”. Under the Nursing Home Care Act, a “long-term facility” is defined as “a private home, institution, building, residence, or any other place, whether operated for profit or not or a county home for the infirm and chronically ill … for 3 or more persons, not related to the applicant or owner by blood or marriage.” The Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) is the state agency with the authority to enforce the rules promulgated by the Illinois legislature under the Nursing Home Care Act. If you or your loved one suffers abuse or neglect in an Illinois nursing home, your concerns should be reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The Illinois Department of Public Health will investigate your complaint (without notice to the nursing home) and issue a report.