Nursing homes in Illinois are required to meet certain standards to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents are not put in jeopardy. Unfortunately, not all homes take the necessary steps to meet them. The Quad-City Times recently reported that multiple nursing homes within the state were cited by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and fined for serious violations, one of which led to the death of a 62-year-old male resident.
According to the news source, the resident suffered from “anxiety, schizophrenia, and dementia,” and was also “susceptible to choking.” Because of this, the facility placed him on a diet that consisted of “thin liquids and cut up meat.” The home also had to take additional precautions with the resident when they learned that he “shoved food in his mouth.”
Staffers required that the resident eat his meals at a feeder table while being supervised. He was also not permitted to eat bread unless it was cut up and moistened.
Aspen Rehab and Healthcare Fined $25,000 Over the Death of a Male Resident
While the male resident lived at Aspen Rehab and Healthcare, multiple incidents were recorded where he choked on his food. The final incident that led to the male’s death occurred after a certified nursing assistant (CNA) delivered to his room a tuna melt and left. The nurse confirmed that the bread was not wet but also that he/she was unaware that there were special instructions that needed to be followed.
The CNA stated that they had been working at the facility for about a month and were never told that the resident shoved food in his mouth or needed to have his food prepared a certain way. Sometime after the food was delivered to the resident, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) “observed the resident choking and had turned grayish in color.”
Staffers attempted to save the man by performing abdominal thrusts and a police officer who later arrived performed CPR and used an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Unfortunately, the man could not be saved.
Generations at Rock Island Cited and Fined $52,200 for Abuse and Neglect
Another nursing home in Illinois was cited for 15 licensure violations and fined $52,200 after three residents were allegedly abused and neglected. One of the residents, a female who was admitted into the home in December 2019, shared with IDPH investigators that on September 1, 2020, she was unable to make it to a dialysis appointment because “there was not enough staff or a sling to help her get out of bed.”
The resident also told investigators that she had only been bathed three times since her arrival and that she believed that it had been a few months since her hair was washed. She also complained of bedsores she had developed that had not been properly treated.
Resident Undergoes Leg Amputation After Nursing Home Staffers Neglect to Care for Her Wounds
According to the news source, another resident had to have her right lower leg amputated shortly after arriving at Generations at Rock Island. The woman was admitted on April 2, 2020, with “diabetic foot ulcers on both heels and her right ankle.” The resident was not seen by a “wound nurse until April 13th and was not evaluated by wound consultant services until June 30th.
The source also shared that the woman was not seen by a podiatrist until August 18th. Because the resident’s wounds were neglected, they worsened which then led to her leg being amputated.
What rights does a family have when their loved one is abused or neglected by nursing home staffers?
When a nursing home resident is abused or neglected, the home and the negligent staffer can be held accountable for their actions. While many cases of neglect are caused by understaffing, this is not a valid excuse for a residents’ needs being ignored. If you believe your family member is a victim of abuse or neglect, the Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorneys at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. are here to help you and your family understand your rights.
Our nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys can help you recognize a home and/or staffer for causing your loved one harm and even assist you with taking legal action should you have the grounds to sue. If your loved one is entitled to damages (i.e. financial relief), we will help you fight for a fair and favorable outcome. Additionally, we will explore whether criminal charges need to be filed if your loved one was physically harmed or intentionally neglected.
If you would like to schedule a time to discuss your issues with a skilled Chicago, IL nursing home neglect attorney, contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at 1-312-384-1920.
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
