Posted on September 15, 2021 in Nursing Home Abuse

Elder abuse is a disturbingly common problem in the United States, and as time goes on, we continue to learn more about its far-reaching effects. A study published last month in JAMA Network Open provides new insights into the prevalence of elder abuse and mistreatment, as well as the populations who may be most at risk of abuse. The findings may have important implications for elder abuse intervention and prevention and may help you stay aware of the risks of elder abuse for you and your loved ones, especially those who live in a nursing home facility.

Studying Older Adults Over Time

For the recently published study, researchers from Cornell University and the University of Toronto conducted two sets of interviews, spaced ten years apart, with the same population of adults over the age of 60. Their objective was to not only gauge the prevalence of elder mistreatment among this population during the ten year period, but also to identify common risk factors among those who were affected.

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 Posted on September 09, 2021 in Nursing Home Abuse

You may be surprised to learn that one of the top causes of severe injuries and deaths in nursing homes is falling. When a nursing home resident is already in poor health, falling can cause excruciating, debilitating injuries. Fall injuries can lead to infection, reduced mobility and independence, low morale, and additional medical complications. Consequently, nursing homes should take every reasonable precaution to prevent fall accidents whenever possible. When a nursing home’s negligence causes a preventable fall, the nursing home may be liable for the resident’s injury or death.

Creating a Safe Environment for Those with Limited Mobility

As we age, our bones become weaker. This means that a fall accident that would only bruise a young person can lead to severely broken bones in an elderly person. Nursing home residents of all ages may suffer from medical conditions that impair balance and coordination. This is why it is so important for nursing homes to ensure that the facility is free of slip and fall or trip and fall hazards. Something as simple as a spilled drink or a loose electrical cord can represent a potentially deadly hazard in a nursing home.

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 Posted on August 31, 2021 in Medication Errors

The opioid epidemic is one of the most significant challenges the U.S. is currently facing, and Americans of all ages and backgrounds are affected. Nursing home residents comprise one of the populations at risk of opioid addiction and overdose, especially in cases involving errors in the administration of medication. If you or your family member is suffering from the negative effects of opioids, it is important to understand whether the neglect of nursing home staff may be the root cause.

The Risks of Opioids for Nursing Home Residents

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, prescription opioids are responsible for a large portion of the opioid epidemic. Recent statistics show that 10 million people abuse prescription opioids on an annual basis and that prescription opioids are a factor in around 40 percent of opioid overdose deaths.

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 Posted on August 24, 2021 in Nursing Home Abuse

According to recent statistics, choking is one of the leading causes of unintentional death among the elderly, with more than half of all choking deaths occurring among those over the age of 74. There are many risk factors associated with choking death as a person gets older, including decreased salivation and conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. However, with appropriate care and supervision, many choking incidents are preventable.

Unfortunately, some nursing home residents are not provided with the care they need, and they may suffer a fatal choking injury as a result. If your loved one has lost their life due to nursing home neglect, you may be entitled to compensation from the facility.

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 Posted on August 18, 2021 in Sexual Abuse

Any form of nursing home abuse or neglect can be devastating to victims and their loved ones, but perhaps the most harmful and insidious is sexual abuse. While you may never expect to be affected by sexual abuse personally, these terrible incidents do happen, and sometimes close to home. Just last month, a southern Illinois nursing home was fined $200,000 for an incident in which a staff member allegedly sexually assaulted a resident.

In addition to staff members, other residents may also be perpetrators of sexual abuse in nursing homes. Regardless of the identity of the offender, sexual abuse can leave physical, emotional, and psychological scars on the victim. If you have a loved one who is living in a nursing home, it is important to be aware of the possibility of sexual abuse and to understand how to recognize and prevent it.

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 Posted on August 10, 2021 in Nursing Home Abuse

Recently, a Central Illinois nursing home and rehabilitation facility was fined $25,000 by the Illinois Department of Public Health in response to an incident in January in which a resident wandered off the premises. Unfortunately, such incidents are not uncommon in Illinois, and it is important to understand how you can hold a nursing home accountable for neglect if your loved one is injured in a wandering or elopement incident.

The Dangers of Wandering and Elopement

Many nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related conditions are prone to wandering. With proper supervision, nursing home staff can intervene to ensure a resident’s safety. However, without supervision, residents can make their way to unsafe areas within and outside of a nursing home facility. Some injury risks for nursing home residents in wandering and elopement incidents include:

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 Posted on July 30, 2021 in Nursing Home Abuse

When an older person suffers from intentional emotional harm at the hands of their caregivers,  it is often referred to as psychological abuse. It is underreported and difficult to identify as there are not physically visible indicators of this type of harm. Because this type of abuse can be so damaging, it is vital to be aware of the signs that may point to psychological elder abuse and what actions you can take so that your loved one can successfully heal from the mistreatment. 

Psychological Elder Abuse Explained

Physical abuse is often believed to be more common and more damaging, however, emotional abuse such as ridicule, isolation, and intimidation can be just as harmful as physical abuse. Psychological elder abuse occurs when an older individual suffers harm through verbal harassment, yelling, or insults. 

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 Posted on July 27, 2021 in Neglect

Nursing home residents generally require a closer eye to ensure their safety and care. But when a nursing home facility is understaffed, its ability to maintain the wellbeing of its patients can become compromised. Unfortunately, such a situation commonly leads to nursing home neglect.

There are numerous ways in which a staff shortage can negatively impact both staff and residents. Some of these issues include:

• Medication errors, including skipped doses of medicine

• Delayed response times to residents’ needs

• Increased risk for bedsores and infections

• Malnutrition and dehydration

• Poor hygiene

• Increased risk for wandering and elopement

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 Posted on July 21, 2021 in Neglect

Neglect of nursing home residents is a common and serious problem in Illinois. Most of the incidents occur in the facilities where the residents live, perhaps because of issues like overcrowding or insufficient staffing or training. However, nursing home staff may also be responsible for the care and safety of residents while they are outside of the facility. If you or a loved one suffers an injury at any time while under the care of a nursing home, you may be entitled to compensation.

Nursing Home Employees Charged After Recent Illinois Incident

An ongoing case in Illinois illustrates a possible example of how neglect can occur when a nursing home resident is away from the facility. In February of this year, a woman died in a transport van after receiving off-site medical treatment at a hospital. Upon returning to her residential facility, the woman was left in the van overnight in below-freezing temperatures. Now, the driver and the residential care manager at the facility are both facing felony neglect charges.

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 Posted on July 13, 2021 in Nursing Home Abuse

The problems of nursing home abuse and neglect are ever-present in Chicago and throughout Illinois, and the state government has made efforts to provide a variety of resources for victims and their families. One such resource is the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which provides many services to those living in nursing homes and similar facilities. Recently, Governor J.B. Pritzker has announced an increase in funding for the Chicago region of this program, with the goal of ensuring that it is adequately staffed to meet residents’ needs.

What Does the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Do?

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is responsible for providing a variety of services that benefit nursing home residents. Regional branches of the program have been established throughout Illinois to support residents of different counties, and the services they provide are offered at no cost.

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