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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

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

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.

1. Find a balance or experience program that will help you to build stability, strength, and flexibility
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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

The daughter of a deceased nursing home resident is seeking answers to the cause of her mother’s death after her request for an autopsy was denied [Source: Northwest Herald]. Apparently, the 78-year-old, who was a resident of Bria of Geneva, allegedly tested positive for COVID-19 before passing away. Faith Heimbrodt, the woman’s daughter, was unaware that her mother had even contracted the virus until she was informed by the agency she had paid to perform an autopsy that it couldn’t be done because her body bag said “COVID-19 positive.”

Surprised by the news, Heimbrodt contact Bria of Geneva’s director who confirmed that her mother had not tested positive for COVID-19. In fact, she told the news source that her mother was never tested, nor did she display symptoms associated with the virus. At that point, Heimbrodt began questioning what the true cause of her mother’s death was.

Previous Visits with Her Mother May Have Pointed to Neglect

While Heimbrodt said she used to visit with her mom every few weeks, she had to begin limiting her visits after she was warned the flu was going around. The 49-year-old shared that she suffers from multiple sclerosis and didn’t want to risk getting sick. Heimbrodt said she had seen her mother in December and then again on April 23^rd. But during the visit in April, Heimbrodt admits she was shocked at her mother’s condition.

Not only did Heimbrodt say that the roof of her mother’s mouth was “covered with sores that were blackened,” but her “dentures had never been removed.” She told the source that she “could see debris and caked food” on them. Her mother’s “eyes were also sunken in and she looked dehydrated.” After questioning whether her mother was being hydrated, a nurse allegedly told her that “they were not giving her any water because she might aspirate into her lungs.” The nurse went on to explain that they do not do IV fluids but would relay the information to her mother’s doctor.

Heimbrodt said that while a physician was assigned to her mother when she became a resident, she “didn’t think he ever saw her mother, let alone provide any care.” The next day, Heimbrodt had contacted the facility and demanded that if her mother was not given water, she would contact a lawyer. The facility did bring out Vitas Hospice to see her mother, but healthcare staff told Heimbrodt that her mother was getting startled each time they tried to touch her. At that point, she questioned the last time her mother was cleaned or moved.”

Just two days after visiting her mother, the 78-year-old passed away on April 25^th. Now, Heimbrodt is looking for answers.

Do you suspect that a loved one of yours who is living in a Chicago, IL nursing home is being neglected?

If you answered yes, the Chicago, IL nursing home neglect lawyers at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. are here to answer your questions and address your concerns.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

Phone: 1-312-384-1920

Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com

The coronavirus is spreading at an alarming rate here in the U.S. which means nursing homes need to be taking all precautionary measures to reduce the chances of residents contracting the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that older adults and those who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease are at a higher risk of getting extremely sick from the coronavirus. Therefore, it is especially important that the facilities that cater to our aging population are doing all that they can to protect them from all the harmful viruses that currently pose as a threat to them.

What are the new guidelines that are being set for nursing homes in Illinois?

Given how aggressive the coronavirus is, Governor J.B. Pritzker announced new staffing procedures and visitor restrictions that shall be implemented at state-run nursing homes. During a morning news conference, Pritzker expressed how concerned he and others are about senior facilities which is why he is putting the following guidelines into place:

1. Healthcare workers who are employed at a state-run facility will now be checked prior to their shifts to ensure sure they are not sick.
2. The state is also discouraging any family members who are under the age of 18 from coming to visit their relatives in a nursing home. The CDC has stated that COVID-19 can spread from one person to next when they are within six feet from one another. It can also be spread through “respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.” Given how easily the virus can be contracted, it is best that nursing home residents do not come in contact with anyone who is displaying symptoms or is likely to have contracted it.

One facility, ManorCare in Homewood, has also begun limiting who can visit the facility. The news source says that only when certain circumstances are present such as end-of-life situations or when “a visitor is determined to be essential for the patient’s emotional well-being as determined by the interdisciplinary team” can they come and visit a resident. Greg Kelley, who is the President of SEIU Healthcare Illinois says that there are about “100 different nursing home facilities that our members work at, so you will see some variation in the ways owners are approaching it.”

While it is important for those who are sick to avoid visiting a nursing home until their symptoms have subsided or until they have been cleared by a health care professional, it is also essential for staff members to have all that they need to properly care for the vulnerable residents who are living inside these facilities. Kelly acknowledged how important it is for staff members to have things like masks and gowns so that they are able to effectively protect residents. He also went on to say that it is also necessary for workers to receive paid sick leave as “it would help immensely in the spread against disease.

Right now, “workers who are quarantined because of coronavirus exposure would not be paid for most of the 14 days.” Kelly went on to explain that “for low wage workers, you miss one day of pay, you’re talking about potential disaster. Although missing work is going to be a challenge for some, it is crucial for anyone who is displaying signs of illness, including workers, to refrain from visiting a nursing home as those living there could contract it and suffer in a much more serious way.

Protecting Your Loved One from Neglect

Although nursing homes are limiting who they allow inside their facilities to help aid in the prevention of the virus, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep close contact with those who work there. During this time, it is likely many nursing homes across the U.S. are becoming understaffed as a result of the coronavirus. This means there aren’t enough workers available to tend to the number of residents who are living there.

Should a resident contract the coronavirus, they are going to need intensive care immediately upon displaying symptoms which means there is no room for understaffing. Therefore, our Chicago, IL nursing home neglect lawyers do recommend that you contact the facility regularly to better understand the guidelines staff members are following to ensure your loved one is safe and will receive the medical attention they need should they become ill. If you suspect at any point that the staff at your loved one’s Chicago nursing home isn’t providing them with the care and protection they need, please contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. so that we can guide you in addressing the problem.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

Phone: 1-312-384-1920

Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com