CHICAGO, IL – Nursing home abuse and neglect are ever-present issue throughout the industry, but especially in Chicago and throughout Illinois, and the state government has made efforts to provide a variety of resources for victims and their families. One resource is the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, which provides a variety of services to those living in a nursing home or similar facility. Governor J.B. Pritzker has recently announced an increase in funding for the Chicago region of the program. The goal is to ensure that it is adequately staffed to meet residents’ needs.
What Does the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Do?
The Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) is a resident-directed advocacy program that protects and improves the quality of life for residents in various long-term care settings. Ombudsmen work to resolve problems of individual residents and to bring about changes at the local, state, and national levels to improve overall care.
Regional branches of the program have been established throughout Illinois to support residents of different counties, and the services they provide are offered at no cost.
Some of the services the program offers include:
- Information and education regarding the rights of nursing home residents
- Information about facility options for those in need of long-term care
- Support for nursing home residents to help them advocate their own needs and interests
- Advocacy for the rights and well-being of nursing home residents at the state and national level
The LTCOP also investigates complaints from residents, family members, nursing home staff, and other parties regarding the possible instances of abuse and neglect. If an investigation is conducted, it can result in appropriate consequences for the facility and protection from future abuse and neglect for the resident.
The recent announcement of an increase in funding for the Chicago regional program will hopefully mean that more investigators will soon be available, and complaints can be addressed and resolved in a more timely manner.
Other Resources for Victims of Nursing Home Abuse
If you or a loved one is being abused or neglected in your long-term care facility, notifying your regional Ombudsman is just one of many ways you can get help. The Illinois Department of Public Health also operates a Nursing Home Complaint Hotline, that you can report abuse and neglect to at (800) 252-4343.
You can also work with a nursing home abuse attorney to better understand your legal rights and options for recovering compensation for economic and non-economic damages that you or your loved one has suffered.
How the Dinizulu Law Group Can Help You
There are people who can assist you in your struggles with nursing home abuse and neglect. At the Dinizulu Law Group, we represent those who want to hold a nursing home accountable for the harm they have caused, and help connect you with other resources that offer additional help. Contact our Cook County nursing home abuse lawyers for a free consultation at (312) 384-1920.
