Illinois receives an "F" for nursing home care

 Posted on August 19, 2013 in Firm News

The problems associated with care for elderly family members are common to a great number of Americans. Concerns about elder abuse are legitimate and scary. Reports of insufficient care of and treatment for medical conditions like bedsores or physical, emotional and sexual abuse are easily found in the media all around the nation.

A report recently released by Families for Better Care gave Illinois an F for its care of elderly residents in nursing homes. The report leveraged 2012 federal data and reviewed complaints, inspection results, deficiencies and staffing levels. Illinois was ranked 51, the lowest of all, for the number of direct care staffing hours provided to residents on a daily basis. The study concluded that only seve states provided more than one hour of skilled nursing care per day to patients. Those states also had larger and more experienced staff.

Illinois placed 44 out of 51 for its number of deficiencies, or violations that resulted in harm or injury to residents, with 25 percent of facilities found to have severe deficiencies. The overall rankings place Illinois fourth out of the six Great Lake states. Grades were given to all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

With more than 1.5 million people in nursing homes today and expectations for that number to increase by 40 percent in the next ten years, the need to prevent nursing home neglect is critical. Speaking with an elder abuse attorney can be a wise way to help ensure you can keep your loved ones living in nursing homes safe. 

Source: CBSNews.com, “Eleven states get failing grades for nursing home care,” Manuel Bojorquez, August 9, 2013