Many senior citizens dread the thought of entering nursing homes. A quick look at nursing home abuse and neglect statistics reveals that their concerns are certainly justified.
According to the New York Times, more than 90 percent of nursing homes in the United States were cited for violations of federal health and safety standards in 2007. Residents at these facilities endured a range of inhumane treatment such as physical battery, neglect, sexual abuse and financial exploitation.
Despite these dangers, some families simply do not have the time or medical experience to provide sufficient care for their aging loved ones. If a member of your family is about to enter a nursing home, you can monitor their safety by:
- Learning the signs of nursing home neglect, abuse and financial exploitation;
- Learning how to report nursing home abuse; and
- Visiting your loved one often and unannounced.
If you suspect that your family member or another person was a victim of nursing home abuse, contact The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. Yao O. Dinizulu is a nursing home neglect lawyer in Chicago who will help you claim the maximum compensation for medical bills and other damages from the at-fault staff member or facility.
Mr. Dinizulu will interview witnesses, evaluate doctors’ records, calculate the damages, and arrange expert testimonies to support your nursing home lawsuit. Call 312-384-1920 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit the USAttorneys website to learn more about nursing home abuse lawsuits in Illinois.
How to Keep Your Family Member Safe in a Nursing home
Nursing homes in Illinois advertise reliable care in a safe setting, but many long-term care facilities fall short on that promise. Poor staff training, insufficient management, intentional misconduct – there are many reasons why nursing home residents are mistreated. If your loved one is in a long-term care facility, these three tips will help you identify abuse early and put a stop to it:
- Learn the Signs of Nursing Home Neglect, Abuse and Financial Exploitation
Nursing home abuse takes many forms, and the signs are not always easy to spot. Every time you visit your loved one, look for these symptoms of mistreatment:
- Unexplained cuts or bruises;
- Bedsores;
- Persistent infections;
- Changes in your loved one’s behavior;
- A nursing home worker will not let you visit your loved one alone;
- Poor hygiene;
- Unexplained STDs;
- Nursing home appears unclean; or
- Residents are complaining about mistreatment.
You should also monitor your loved one’s financial accounts for signs of exploitation. Look for transactions to a caregiver’s account or changes to your family member’s will.
- Learn How to Report Nursing Home Abuse
If your loved one is in imminent danger, contact the police immediately. Then, call the hotline for the Illinois Department of Public Health: Nursing Homes in Illinois at 1-800-252-4343.
- Visit Your Loved One Often and Unannounced
You should visit your loved one often and unannounced to see how the nursing home runs day to day. If you announce your visit, the caregiver may have time to cover up the abuse.
If your family member was abused, neglected or exploited in a nursing home, Yao O. Dinizulu will help you pursue justice and compensation. Mr. Dinizulu is a nursing home neglect lawyer in Chicago who has the knowledge, experience and resources to represent your interests. Call 312-384-1920 to arrange a consultation.
