If your loved one resides in a nursing home facility, chances are they are there because they need assistance in doing the things they used to be able to do independently. Nursing home facilities are utilized because they are able to provide 24-hour care and they have experienced medical professionals on site. These medical professionals monitor your family member’s prescriptions, meals, and build a care plan around your loved one’s dietary, medical, and social needs. Remember, you or your loved one signs a contract when entering the nursing home that both highlights your loved one’s needs and promises that these needs will be attended to.
Therefore, it is very important to say something if you notice instances of lacking care. Nursing home administrators should be notified immediately if you see:
- A delayed response to your loved one’s call light
- A fellow resident or staff member is rude and disrespectful
- Prescriptions are not administered properly when they are needed
- Your loved one’s hygiene suffers, such as their linens or undergarments are not regularly changed
- Their possessions are missing
- Your loved one is given food they don’t like, or is inedible, or against their dietary plan
- The meals arrive late, or meals are being skipped entirely
- Your loved one is isolated or afraid around particular caregivers
After your discussion with the facility’s administrators, such as the Director of Nursing, the Dietary Manager, and/or the Activities Director, your loved one’s concerns should be addressed immediately. Instead, if you see the same lacking care continue, it may be time to contact a knowledgeable and experienced nursing home neglect attorney.
While it always helps if you complain to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), for many residents, this is not enough to rectify the problem. Sometimes, IDPH may take longer than normal to investigate the complaint. Also, many nursing homes fall back on their old habits of bad care once they know the complaint is closed. In the meantime, your family member should not be suffering due to administrative back logs or the nursing home’s persistent wrongs. Contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. right away so our Chicago nursing home neglect attorneys can offer help for mom or dad. We can be reached at 1 (312) 384-1920 or 1 (800) 693-1LAW, or by email. Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation.
