Finding the perfect nursing home for a loved one is no easy feat. Reading online reviews, speaking with nursing home staff and residents, inspecting the facility – the process takes time. But all that effort is essential for ensuring that your family member receives the best possible care.
Unfortunately, far too many long-term care facilities hire unqualified staff or do not screen or train their staff sufficiently. This often leads to the abuse, neglect or exploitation of residents.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), a survey of 2,000 nursing home residents revealed that 44 percent had experienced abuse, and 95 percent had been neglected or witnessed the neglect of another resident. According to the most recent data from the NCEA, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. nursing homes were cited for violations of federal standards that either had the potential to cause harm or that had caused harm to a resident between 1999 and 2001.
There’s no doubting the fact that nursing home abuse, neglect and exploitation are widespread. An estimated 70 percent of people aged 65 and older can expect to use a long-term care facility at some point, which means that millions of senior citizens are vulnerable to mistreatment.
If you or a member of your family was a victim of nursing home abuse in Illinois, contact The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. The at-fault staff member or facility may be liable for economic and non-economic damages related to the incident.
Yao O. Dinizulu is an elder abuse attorney in Chicago who will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Call 312-384-1920 to schedule a consultation. You can also learn more about nursing home abuse lawsuits in Illinois by visiting USAttorneys.com.
Common Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse
Only 1 in 14 cases of nursing home abuse get reported. The reason? Some residents are not physically able to report mistreatment; others are too afraid to take action.
If your loved one is in a nursing home, it is critical that you look for these signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation:
Physical Symptoms
Bruises and welts are common signs of physical abuse. Neglect can also cause physical symptoms such as bedsores and poor hygiene. You should also look for signs of restraint on the ankles and wrists.
Psychological Symptoms
Victims of abuse or neglect are often depressed. They also may be abnormally irritable or display other atypical personality traits.
Financial Symptoms
It is not uncommon for caregivers to exploit nursing home residents financially. Look out for changes to your loved one’s will or financial transfers to a caregiver’s account.
If you believe that your family member is a victim of nursing home abuse, you should report the incident to the Illinois Department of Human Services by calling 1-866-800-1409. Contact the police if he or she is in immediate danger.
Then, consult a Chicago elder abuse attorney from The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. Yao O. Dinizulu will help you recover the maximum compensation from the at-fault nursing home or staff member. Call 312-384-1920 today to schedule a consultation.
