Uncategorized | Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd

How Often Should I Visit a Loved One Who is Living in a Nursing Home Facility?

May 28, 2020/in Uncategorized/by DAMG

While the answer to this question is subjective as your location, physical ability, etc. will play a factor in how often you are able to go and visit with a loved one, ideally, you should be seeing them on a regular basis. According to Dr. Rita A. Jablonski-Jaudon, when you first move a relative into a nursing home, it would be good to visit on a daily basis “because it allows the family to see how the individual is adjusting to the new surroundings and if the new facility is responsive to the needs of the individual” [Source: Saunders House].

While daily visits are recommended, Dr. Jablonski-Jaudon said that she pays more attention to the quality of the visits as opposed to the quantity of them. However, depending on where your loved one is living and the medical conditions they suffer from, you have to decide whether you can commit to daily visits and if it is necessary to go and see your aging relative every day. Now, once your loved one has settled in, Dr. Jablonski-Jaudon says you may be able to reduce your visitation frequency and determine what the best times are to visit. She says that rather than going every day, you might begin to visit every other day and as time goes on, you might increase the gaps in between each visit.

When a loved one who is living in a nursing home suffers from dementia, memory care experts say these patients often “respond more favorably when they have a predictable routine.” With that in mind, you might consider creating a consistent schedule. One thing we do recommend when creating a schedule to visit your loved one is that it cannot hurt to pop in at a random time every now and then just to see how things are going even when the staff least expects you to show up. The sad reality is that nursing home abuse and neglect has grown into a serious issue, and many cases of it often go unreported.

How can regular visits to see a relative in a nursing home reduce the chances of him or her becoming the victim of abuse or neglect?

Aside from your visit serving as a time for you to spend with a loved one, it can also help prevent them from becoming a victim of abuse and even allow you to recognize any red flags. While visiting your loved one won’t guarantee that he or she won’t be mistreated, if the staff expects your visits, majority of the workers will be less inclined to harm the patient knowing someone is going to be checking on them regularly. And because nursing home abuse is rarely reported to the authorities even though the law requires facilities to do so, if you don’t visit a loved one, you may never know when something has gone wrong.

Consider this story involving a 96-year-old nursing home resident.

The 96-year-old female resident who has since passed away had been living at Kenwood Terrace Nursing Home in Sycamore Township. The caregiver, 27-year-old Alan Tillman, had been caring for the woman and during one encounter with her, he accidentally dropped her while moving her from her bed to her wheelchair. The woman fell on her knees and rather than report the incident, Tillman placed the woman in her wheelchair and “continued with his day,” reported Cincinnati.com.

Although Tillman allegedly knew the woman was in pain, he refused to take the proper action to address the issue as he feared he would lose his job. After three days, the pain intensified and that is when the woman was taken in for x-rays. Doctors determined that she had two broken femurs. The elderly woman later passed away, although the source highlighted that it was unknown whether the injuries she suffered played a role in her death.

Tillman, after admitting that he had dropped the woman, was charged with patient abuse.

While incidents cannot always be prevented, when you take the time to visit a loved one, it gives you the opportunity to assess their condition and determine if they are receiving the care you expect and that they deserve. Any time a red flag presents itself or you have been informed that your loved one is being mistreated, we recommend you contact our office to speak with a Chicago, IL nursing home abuse lawyer who can determine if you have a case on your hands. While not all red flags or complaints are a sheer sign of abuse, it is best to have a legal expert be the one to determine this.

If you have any questions regarding the care your loved one is receiving in a Chicago nursing home or have a concern you would like to discuss, contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. now to speak with a lawyer who can help you.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

1-312-384-1920

Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com

Is it Common for Nursing Home Officials to Ignore Claims of Abuse and Neglect?

May 28, 2020/in Uncategorized/by DAMG

Although we cannot speak for every facility, there has been evidence that has revealed claims of abuse were not properly investigated in certain facilities across the U.S. What this means is that after allegations of abuse were reported in these homes, no form of action was taken to determine whether there was any validity to these claims. Not only does this result in nursing home residents being put at risk of being mistreated again given that their claims were valid, but it also places other residents at risk of being abused as well.

You see, when abuse is occurring within a facility and nothing is done to prevent it, those inflicting the harm may continue to engage in the inappropriate behavior as they know there aren’t going to be any repercussions for their actions. As a result, cases of abuse just continue to accumulate. In fact, the Greenville News reported that inspectors found the existence of “immediate jeopardy” in a nursing home facility for veterans in South Carolina after it was discovered that “the facility failed to implement their abuse policy on investigating and protecting residents from abuse for 16 facility reported incidents of abuse/neglect and injury of unknown origin.”

Inspectors said that “they found example after example of the pains of vulnerable residents not being thoroughly investigated by officials at the facility.” One of the cases inspectors uncovered showed that a “frightened veteran alleged that his roommate had beaten him, but the staff never took the necessary steps to find out if he was telling the truth.” Another case that was found by inspectors revealed that a worker had overheard a resident yelling for help and when they arrived at their room, the worker found the resident who was calling for help “cut and bloodied with another resident standing over him.”

That case was also not properly investigated either, according to inspectors.

Examples like these truly show the importance of contacting a nursing home abuse attorney when you suspect that an aging relative is not being properly cared for or is the victim of abuse or neglect. While most assume that reporting their suspicions to officials within the facility will help them get to the bottom of the issue, clearly there are cases where this doesn’t occur. Therefore, if you believe a relative of yours who is living in a Chicago nursing home isn’t receiving the proper care or is being harmed by the staff who is supposed to be taking care of and monitoring them, don’t wait to contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd.

Our team of qualified and caring nursing home abuse lawyers in Chicago, IL will take the time to listen to your concerns, determine whether you have a viable case, and explain the course of action that will need to be taken to address the issue. Our office provides free consultations to those in search of legal help so we encourage you to give us a call now to find out how we can advocate for your aging relative who might be the subject of abuse.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

1-312-384-1920

Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com

What are Some Reasons Why Certain Nursing Home Staff Members Don’t Report the Abuse They Witness?

May 28, 2020/in Uncategorized/by DAMG

Staff members who are required to monitor and care for nursing home residents have a significant amount of responsibilities. Between feeding, bathing, and assisting them from one place to the next, the tasks these staff members must complete are endless. And even after they render the care that is expected of them, they still have a very important job to do—protect residents from being abused and neglected.

The sad reality is, many nursing home residents today are harmed and neglected by poorly trained and cruel staff members as well as other residents. While some of these cases of mistreatment are brought to light, a large number of them are not. Sometimes, it is unknown that a resident is being abused, but other times, these cases are witnessed by other workers employed at the facility but are never reported.

To be clear, nursing home staff members are required by law to report cases of abuse and neglect. Failure to report these acts to the appropriate agency could land them in jail and having to pay fines.

Now, as someone who may have a friend or relative living in a nursing home in Chicago, you might be wondering why staff members who witness harmful acts inflicted by their counterparts would choose not to submit a complaint. After all, their complaint could result in disciplinary action being taken that could potentially get this individual removed from the facility so that he/she could not harm another vulnerable resident. Now, although these staff members probably can provide an excuse to justify their reasoning for not taking appropriate action, we came across a few reasons of our own from My Alzheimer’s Story.

There may be certain nursing home workers who do not know what would be considered an act of abuse. The source suggests that there may be workers employed within the facility that have been in the industry for a long period of time and aren’t familiar with how the rules and regulations have evolved. There may also be newer staff members who haven’t been properly trained and are unaware of what type of behavior would constitute as an act of abuse, hence, they don’t know to report it.
Abuse and neglect might be the norm in certain facilities. If more than one health care worker is engaging in abusive behavior, then others might assume that just because it is common, it is “okay.” This can directly result in nursing home staff abusing and mistreating residents regularly and looking the other way if and when it does occur.
Workers fear if they report a case of abuse they will be retaliated against. Many individuals feel that if they come forward to report a coworker for engaging in behavior that could lead to them being fired and even incriminated, not only might that person retaliate against them, but the other staff at the facility may also “shun” them for making the report.
“Long terms care facilities are ideal stomping grounds for people who enjoy abusing the weak and vulnerable.” There are plenty of health care workers who enter the workforce as a nursing home care provider because they care about those who no longer are able to take care of themselves. However, there are also workers who take pleasure in harming individuals who simply cannot defend themselves both physically and verbally.

Now, because you can’t always rely on the staff at a nursing home to report cases of abuse and neglect, you need to always be keeping an eye out for signs that might indicate they aren’t receiving the proper treatment by those who should be caring for them. In the event you find anything to be suspicious and can’t seem to get straight answers from the staff when questioned about the signs or behavior you observed, then contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. to speak with a Chicago, IL nursing home abuse lawyer. Our skilled attorneys will assess the information you provide to determine if our legal assistance is needed.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

Telephone: 1-312-384-1920

Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com

What Can a Senior Citizen do to Protect Themselves from Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes?

May 28, 2020/in Uncategorized/by DAMG

If you’re thinking of relocating a family member of yours to live in a nursing home in Chicago, IL or the surrounding area, it’s important that you take the time to review with them some ways they can reduce their chances of becoming a victim of elder abuse. Why is this important to do? Well, in 2017, Illinois Adult Protective Services received 16,507 reports of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of an elderly individual [Source: Illinois Department on Aging]. Although not all reports involved nursing home residents, the fact is, one in five of those victims were 86 years of age or older, which is the age of many nursing home residents.

Because nursing home residents are vulnerable as most suffer from some sort of illness that impacts their physical and/or cognitive abilities, it is important you take the time to help them understand what they need to do to avoid from becoming the next victim.

According to the National Council on Aging, your loved one should:

Take care of their health. This includes taking only the prescribed medication their physician authorized them to have, eat healthy and nutritious meals regularly, and consume enough water to avoid dehydration.
If they become depressed at any point during their stay in a nursing home, remind them that professional help is available.
Encourage them to attend support groups as well as join any activity groups to avoid from alienating themselves from others. The last thing you want is your loved one to fall victim to depression which could require that they become medicated. The truth is, depression can be debilitating and could lead to staff taking advantage of them.
Explain to them the importance of planning for their future. If your loved one is on the verge of needing around the clock care but isn’t quite ready to live in a nursing home, encourage them to plan accordingly for their future. When doing so, they should “address health care decisions to avoid confusion” as well financial ones such as how their care will be paid for and who will be designated to make those payments when they no longer can. This is extremely important for them to do to avoid from becoming the victim of financial exploitation.
Explain to them their rights as a nursing home resident. All nursing home residents have rights and if your loved one still has the mental capacity to understand that he/she possesses these rights and can exercise them at any given time, it can help reduce the chances of them being abused, neglected, or mistreated in any kind of way.

In the event you have a family member living in a Chicago nursing home who has complained to you about how the staff has treated him/her, don’t wait for another incident to occur before you contact Chicago, IL nursing home abuse lawyer Yao O. Dinizulu, Esq. At Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd., we take complaints very seriously and can help you and your loved one recognize the staff member(s) for their inappropriate and possibly even illegal behavior.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

Telephone: 1-312-384-1920

Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com

What are Some Violations Nursing Homes in Chicago, IL Have Been Recognized For?

May 28, 2020/in Uncategorized/by DAMG

Several Chicago nursing homes have been recognized for the poor care they provide their residents with, their low staff-to-patient ratios, and even for the abusive and neglectful staff that is employed there. It is no secret that nursing homes continue to violate state and federal regulations which only puts our aging population more at risk of injury and death, yet with few being reprimanded harshly, it continues to occur. If you have an aging loved one living in a nursing home in Chicago, you may be wondering what some of the violations are that these facilities have been recognized for.

Based on data gathered from inspection reports provided by Medicare.gov, here are a few of the violations that been witnessed by inspectors:

A facility failed to follow their CallLight Policy by neglecting to answer call lights for five out of 35 residents being observed in a timely manner, according to one report. As you know, residents are encouraged to use their call lights when they need help with anything or if something is wrong. When these call lights are ignored, it not only leaves a resident without the assistance they need but it could also be putting their life at risk.

Another report highlighted that a facility failed to “develop andimplement a comprehensive person-centered care plan for each resident that is consistent with resident rights and that includes measurable objectives and timeframes to meet a resident’s medical, nursing, and mental and psychosocial needs.” Five out of 35 residents were unaware of what this care plan was even though the staff at the facility should have been reviewing theirs with them. Residents have certain needs and when the staff ignores them or disregards them, it only makes living in a nursing home risker for the resident.

A third report that was reviewed showed that a facility “failed to provideassistance in ensuring a resident’s dignity for two residents” out of the 36 that were observed. The inspection report cited that these residents were left with food and saliva on their clothes or beds and no tissue or cloth was provided for them to clean up with.
A fourth report revealed that a facility “failed to follow its policy for labeling opened medication with the date for multi-use.” All medications have an expiration date, however, some expire quicker once they are opened. If nursing home staff members are opening medicine for the first time and failing to document the date, they could be administering expired medications to their residents.

The fifth report that was reviewed highlighted that a facility “failed to follow its puree
food preparation policy” which put all residents at risk. The fact is, many nursing home residents require their food to be pureed as any food that isn’t poses as a choking hazard. Therefore, those residents who attempt to eat food that is not properly prepared for them are at risk of choking and potentially dying.

Something you should keep in mind is that these are only some of the violations that nursing homes are recognized for. Nursing homes in Chicago, IL are often cited for many other violations which is why it is essential that you visit your loved one on a regular basis and even take advantage of Medicare’s nursing home compare tool.

How can Medicare’s nursing home compare tool help me?

Whether you have your husband or wife, mother or father, or another elderly relative living in a nursing home in Chicago, it is important to familiarize yourself with the tools that are available to you so that you can check regularly on how the nursing home is rated and what violations it has been recognized for. When you visit Medicare.gov and use their nursing home compare tool, you can search for homes in specific cities all across the U.S. and see how they rank based on Medicare’s five-star rating system. With this tool, you too have the ability to read past inspection reports and see exactly what some homes might be doing wrong.

Taking the time to check these reports can help give you some insight into what is actually happening in these homes as opposed to what you see when you visit your loved one. The fact is, you won’t always be able to identify when your loved one is living in unsafe or unsanitary conditions if the staff at the home knows you visit often. However, the reports that are published for the public to view can’t hide what is really happening behind those walls. With that said, you are encouraged to look up your loved one’s facility using Medicare’s search tool and read the recent reports that have published.

Who can help me if I believe my loved one isn’t being treated properly by nursing home staff?

If you have a nursing home abuse or neglect case on your hands, the attorneys at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. want to help you address the issue and get it resolved. There are many ways in which our Chicago, IL nursing home abuse lawyers can help you recognize a facility and/or specific staff members for their negligence or inappropriate behavior, and we would be happy to explain to you what those are to you. Therefore, if you are ready to schedule an initial consultation so that you can learn more about what our firm does and how we combat nursing home abuse and neglect in Chicago, contact us at 1-312-384-1920.

Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. is located at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

1-312-384-1920

Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com

Are Residents Who Live in For-Profit Nursing Homes More Likely to Suffer from Neglect?

May 28, 2020/in Uncategorized/by DAMG

After Lee Friedman, who is an associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at University of Illinois School of Public Health, collected and analyzed data, it appears there may some correlation between nursing home residents living in for-profit nursing homes and neglect.

Many elderly individuals reach a certain point in their life where they either don’t want to live alone, are at risk of engaging in an accident if they do, or simply can no longer care for themselves which often results in them going to live in some type of assisted living facility. Nursing homes are a common facility many often turn to as they are more affordable than living in a private facility and certain insurance policies will cover their stay. Unfortunately, after Friedman conducted his study, he has found that “residents receiving care in for-profit nursing homes are almost twice as likely to experience health issues caused by substandard care compared to clients living in not-for-profit facilities or in homes in the community.”

When Friedman refers to for-profit nursing homes, he is focusing on those that are owned by investors and/or operate as a chain of facilities. Sometimes, for-profit nursing homes are linked to low staffing levels and substandard care as mentioned by Friedman which means the care being provided wasn’t up to par with federal regulations. Substandard care “means that one or more requirements under the federal regulations were not met, to a degree constituting immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety, and a scope of pattern or widespread actual harm, or a widespread potential for more than minimal harm” [Source: State of Indiana].

What evidence did Friedman use to determine residents living in for-profit nursing homes are more likely to receive substandard care?

Friedman and those working alongside him reviewed medical records for 1,149 patients aged 60 and older from five greater Chicago metropolitan area hospitals that serve about 10% of all patients in Illinois [Source: UIC Today]. The patients that were used in the study had been treated in hospitals in these areas between 2007 and 2011 for issues that ranged from “mild to poor quality care.” Friedman and his colleagues began to assess the records and make comparisons between those that exhibited signs of neglect to the type of the facility they lived in which included for-profit, not-for-profit, and community-dwelling. UIC Today highlighted that community-dwelling residents are those that “live in private homes, often with family members or friends.”

What Friedman found was that there was “more diagnoses among residents of for-profit facilities that were consistent with severe clinical signs of neglect, including severe dehydration in clients with feeding tubes which should have been managed, clients with stage three and four bed sores, broken catheters and feeding tubes, and clients whose medication for chronic conditions was not being managed properly.”

Friedman went on to explain that “substandard care is a form of neglect and falls within the definition of elder abuse.” He stated that there are “a growing number of people who need services provided by nursing facilities, but the reality is that a third of nursing homes in Illinois receive below-average ratings by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.”

Should I be concerned if a relative of mine lives in a for-profit nursing home in Chicago, IL?

Although there are some for-profit nursing homes in the state of Illinois that provide the standard level of care and treat their residents with the respect they deserve, the likelihood of finding one of those facilities is rare. With that in mind, it is important that if you have a loved one living in any type nursing home in Chicago that you visit them regularly and check for any signs or symptoms that might indicate they aren’t being treated properly. If you find something doesn’t seem right or they are showing signs of neglect, we encourage you to contact our office to speak with an experienced Chicago, IL nursing home abuse lawyer.

The fact is, there are several ways to handle a case of abuse and/or neglect and it is important that you become informed on what these are. The IL elder abuse lawyers at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. can provide you with all the information you will need and even help you to take the first step of seeking justice if you have proof that your loved one has been mistreated.

Contact our office today to get a consultation scheduled so that we can work with you to address this pressing matter.

You can reach Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

1-312-384-1920

Data Indicates Metro-East Has Some of Illinois’ Worst Nursing Homes

May 28, 2020/in Uncategorized/by DAMG

Located approximately four hours away from Chicago, IL are some of the state’s worst nursing homes, according to Belleville News-Democrat. In St. Claire County alone, 13 out of their 18 nursing homes are rated “below average” in overall care and of those, four were even rated as “much below average.” Many facilities located in the metro-east area, including those in St. Claire County, have been cited for neglect, bedsores, failure to investigate residents’ injuries, and other issues,” says the source causing many individuals to suffer and some to even die.

Between 2015-2017, the source highlighted that six residents passed away “due to improper care in metro-east nursing homes” and two more residents were sent into “permanent comas because of nursing home errors.” To help you better understand the issue of nursing home abuse, the source shared another fact involving five of Belleville’s nursing homes. Apparently, during the last three inspection cycles, these five nursing homes in this city alone “received a total of 260 federal violations for an average of 17.3 health violations per home each inspection.”

The fact is, nursing home abuse continues to plague the healthcare industry, resulting in numerous complaints and lawsuits being filed on behalf of those who have suffered and endured the abuse and neglect they should not have been subjected to. And with a shortage of staff members as well as the government failing to reimburse facilities in a timely manner, the issue is only going to worsen. Because there are many nursing homes that aren’t hiring enough staff which harms the quality of care that is provided, it is important that family members of those residing in these facilities continually monitor their loved ones and report any suspicions of abuse to the head nurse.

Now, if you believe your loved one has been abused or neglected and you have the evidence to support your claims, contact the Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorneys at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. We will help you establish a case and conduct an investigation of our own to determine whether your loved one is, in fact, an elder abuse victim.

Here’s Why Family Members of Nursing Home Residents Need to Monitor Their Loved Ones Regularly

Aside from the shocking facts Belleville News-Democrat shared, the source also highlighted a case involving a 76-year-old resident living in Swansea Rehabilitation and Health Care Center who was being neglected. Windsor Keller, the resident who had been living in the rehab facility, was transported there after falling while exiting a bus. He had been living independently with his wife at Atrium Senior Living Community before the fall.

After five days from arriving at Swansea, Keller experienced another fall, and on that same day, his wife came to visit him and was shocked to find him in his wheelchair, “with his eyes glazed over, his leg twisted behind the chair and his teeth hanging out.” He was transported to Memorial Hospital where he was “diagnosed with a brain bleed and a fractured femur.” Keller went from living his life independently with his wife to needing assistance with “meals, dressing, movement, bathing, and hygiene” and now needs “general supervision over his physical and mental well-being.

After seeing what Keller went through and the impact the neglect had on his life, Keller’s wife along with his sister filed suit against Peterson Health, which is the company that is responsible for running Swansea, claiming the facility was aware that “Keller was at a higher risk for falling” yet the staff “ignored” his need for assistance and failed to “take preventative measures to protect him.”

After considering this case along with others you may have read about, it is safe to say you need to be cautious when choosing a nursing home for your loved one. Furthermore, you also need to be attentive when visiting your loved one, keeping an eye out for any signs of abuse or neglect. And if you suspect that something isn’t right, don’t hesitate to contact our office as we are always here to speak with you and provide you with any advice and/or guidance you might be needing.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

1-312-384-1920

Did You Know that the Last Week of September is Fall Prevention Awareness Week?

May 28, 2020/in Uncategorized/by DAMG

According to the National Safety Council, the last week of September will be used to recognize Fall Prevention Awareness Week. It is a time where professionals in the medical field along with others who might be caring for an elderly individual should be taking the time to learn about how serious falls are and how they can be prevented. It is also a good time for senior citizens who might still be living at home to read up on how deadly falls are and why they should take every initiative to prevent themselves from falling.

The campaign will run from September 22^nd through September 28^th and Stopfalls.org is sharing a number of different resources that are all available to the public to help prepare you for Fall Prevention Awareness Week. Below are some of the resources the site is currently offering:

Home safety tips that can make your home safer.
Tips that can help you when discussing falls with your doctor.
How to prevent outdoor falls.

The truth is, “falls are the leading cause of injury deaths, unintentional injuries and hospital admissions for trauma” and they can “take a serious toll on older adults’ quality of life and independence.” Sadly, many elderly individuals who experience a fall never fully recover and many are forced to suffer from much more severe conditions all because of one small mishap.

6 Steps You Can Take to Prevent a Fall

If you are an elderly individual who has a high risk of falling or are independent and still doing things for yourself, here are a few tips the National Council on Aging (NCOA) recommends you consider that can help prevent a fall.

Find a balance or experience program that will help you to build stability, strength, and flexibility
Tell your doctor if you have fallen or are worried that you might one day fall. Not only can he/she check to make sure no severe injuries were sustained, but he/she can also assess your risk of falling.
Take the time to review your medications with your pharmacist or doctor. Certain medications, whether they are prescription or over the counter, can increase the risk of a fall so you may want to find out when would be the best time to take them.
Get your vision and hearing checked every year. The NCOA says that “your eyes and ears are key to keeping you on your feet” and if you are struggling to see or your balance if off, you are at a greater risk of falling.
Keep your home safe. Aside from picking up any objects that could put you at risk of falling, it is also important to keep your home well lit. It also recommended that you place bath mats in your shower to keep from slipping and install grab bars that allow you to have something to hold onto when getting in or out of the shower.
Keep an open dialogue with your family and if needed, ask for their support. If there are certain modifications you physically cannot make to your home, ask a friend or family member for their assistance.

Although this campaign only runs for a week, the issue should actually receive attention year-round. The fact is, an elderly individual is at risk of falling at any given time and anyone who either works around, cares for, or is an elderly individual should implement these safety tips and others to help prevent a fall.

Now, if your loved one is currently living in a nursing home in or nearby to Chicago, IL and you feel the staff wasn’t providing adequate care which led to them falling, we recommend you contact one of our Chicago, IL nursing home neglect lawyers to find out what can be done. As you know, a fall can have an adverse effect on a senior citizen and sometimes, cause them to suffer from harsher conditions than they had prior to the accident. And if the staff member or nurse who was supposed to be watching them or helping them maneuver around wasn’t there to do so, they may be held accountable for the injuries your loved one sustained.

To learn more about how our nursing home abuse attorneys can help you during this unfortunate time, contact us today by calling 1-312-384-1920.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

1-312-384-1920

Can I sue a nursing home in Chicago, Illinois if it fails to respond to a resident’s illness promptly?

May 26, 2020/in Uncategorized/by DAMG

Nursing homes are a place where individuals can go when they need help with some or all of their daily tasks as they are no longer physically and/or mentally able to perform them on their own. When a person moves into a nursing home, they become reliant on staff members to keep them clean, healthy, and out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, many of the nursing homes located in Illinois have become understaffed and/or hire workers who aren’t properly trained to work in the field which has resulted in many facilities becoming deficient in one or more areas.

Sadly, it is the nursing home residents who are the ones who have to suffer when a facility isn’t being run properly or is failing to meet state and federal standards that have been set.

Responding to a Nursing Home Resident When They Become Ill

When a facility doesn’t have enough staff members or employs workers who are not qualified to care for aging individuals, it makes it difficult for them to respond to a resident’s illness promptly. This not only puts the residents who fall ill at risk of having their condition worsen, but it also places them at risk of dying. Take for instance a resident who develops a bedsore.

When a bedsore doesn’t receive immediate attention, chances are it will worsen and the resident could develop a serious infection that could spread through the body and “cause mental confusion, a fast heartbeat, and generalized weakness.” Bedsores, when ignored, could also lead to a resident’s death when an infection develops and causes serious complications in other areas of the body. Because many nursing home residents are frail and suffer from weakened immune systems, any illness they contract or come down with must be attended to promptly.

What legal recourse, if any, is available when a nursing home fails to respond to a resident’s illness promptly?

When nursing home staff members fail to respond to a resident’s illness promptly knowing their efforts could impact whether or not they recover from the illness or infection they are suffering from, they can be held accountable for their negligence. In fact, the family of an Illinois nursing home resident recently filed a negligence lawsuit against Bria of Geneva after their relative died of COVID-19. The lawsuit alleges that the facility “failed to follow guidance from federal and state public health officials to regularly screen residents and staff and ensure adequate supplies of personal protective equipment [were available].” The home was also accused of failing to “isolate residents with symptoms or enforce social distancing.”

If you believe nursing home staff were negligent in how they responded to your loved one’s illness, the Chicago, IL nursing home neglect attorneys at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. are available to determine whether or not you have the grounds to file suit against the facility.

You can reach Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

Phone: 1-312-384-1920

Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com

Effects of Understaffing in Nursing Homes

May 19, 2020/in Blog, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

Nursing home facilities across the nation are facing an understaffing crisis. Research has shown nearly 95 percent of nursing facilities in the United States are understaffed. Understaffing can lead to serious injuries, or in some cases death among residents. Some states, such as New York, don’t have a legal mandate on the ratio of nursing home staff to senior residents, which means problems can often go unnoticed.

Understanding the Issue of Understaffing
Understaffing in nursing homes is a serious, prevalent problem that often goes underreported. There is often pressure for nursing facilities to cut costs. This can result in facilities taking in more residents than what they’re staff can effectively and adequately handle. Understaffing can mean that a single nurse must care for dozens of residents at one time.

Nursing facilities may find that they have having problems holding onto enough adequately trained nurses and certified nursing assistants who can provide care to residents. High turnover rates can result in the over-scheduling of available staff members, who then in turn become overwhelmed by their duties.

Understaffing in nursing facilities can also lead to nursing home abuse. Staff are overwhelmed while being underpaid, which can lead staff members or caregivers to be more abusive towards their residents. Forms of abuse can include physical or sexual injuries, financial exploitation, and psychological trauma. Staff members can also neglect the needs of vulnerable residents by not giving out the proper dosage of medication or the proper medication, for example.

Consequences of Nursing Home Understaffing
There can be negative consequences of understaffing in nursing homes which can affect residents’ basic needs. Staff members may be suffering from extensive stress, which increases the likelihood of nursing home abuse and neglect. Abuse and neglect become a bigger issue as the resident to staff member ratio increases.

Neglect and abuse from nursing home staff can cause long term issues, such as psychological problems, physical illnesses, and even death in some circumstances. Understaffing can attribute to already present psychological issues or physical illnesses among residents.

Consequences of Immobile Patients
Many residents suffer from limited ability to ambulate on their own and are dependent on caregivers for all of their movement needs, as well as their physiological needs. When a nursing facility is understaffed, it can be impossible for staff members to turn the patients in bed enough times or to move residents around as they need to be moved in order to prevent bedsores. This can lead to further skin conditions or infections.

Neglecting Residents Needs
Residents may be dependent on caregivers and nursing home staff for their bathing, eating, grooming, and medication administration needs. If a resident is not bathed or groomed on a regular basis, they may develop sores and infections. Facilities that are understaffed may have problems with feeding and administering medication to residents on a routine schedule. This may lead to malnutrition, nutrition deficiencies, and other complications from not receiving medications on schedule.

The Abuse of Residents
Understaffing in nursing homes can also lead to the neglect and abuse of residents in the facility. Abusive nurses have indicated stress from understaffing is the primary cause of their being abusive to residents. Having limited time to care for each resident can result in caregivers or nursing home staff to become impatient and frustrated, resulting in abuse towards a resident.

Prevalence of Understaffing in Nursing Homes in U.S.
Each state has a different definition of what constitutes as adequate staffing levels for nursing homes; however, research indicates nearly 95 percent of nursing facilities in the United States are significantly understaffed. In 2001, 20 states introduced a total of more than 50 Bills on nursing staff standards in nursing homes.

For example, Illinois requires that a nursing home have enough staff to give each resident that needs skilled care at least 3.4 hours of nursing care, including at least 51 minutes of licensed nurse care. At least 21 minutes of the licensed nurse time bust be care by a registered nurse (R.N). For residents who are in need of intermediate care, the numbers include 2.3 hours of total nursing care, including 34 minutes by a licensed nurse and 14 minutes of registered nurse time (Illinois Citizens for Better Care).

Eleven states, including Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia have proposed staffing increases that were not passed.

Four states (Hawaii, Minnesota, Montana, and Wyoming) have not changed their staffing standards since the 1970-1980s. Furthermore, eighteen sates made changes to their staffing standards in the 1990s.

Preventing Understaffing in Nursing Homes
Many nursing homes have been held accountable for issues related to understaffing in recent years through lawsuits. While this may be a temporary fix to the problem, there is much more work to be done in order to combat this issue. Because of understaffing, nursing homes nationwide have had to pay out millions of dollars to patients who have suffered from wrongful death and illnesses that are related to the understaffing in nursing facilities.

If a nursing home facility fails to provide adequate staff and supervision, it can have a serious impact on residents who depend on nurses, caregivers, and other staff members for care.

If you or a loved one has experienced abuse or neglect at the hands of a caregiver, we recommend you contact an experienced nursing home neglect and abuse attorney right away. Our team has proven success in nursing home cases and we will use our extensive legal experience to help you navigate the process to get you full and fair compensation for our loved ones injuries. To receive a free consultation, please call (312) 384-1920 or visit our website for more information.