Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Still a Problem in Illinois

 Posted on October 26, 2022 in Nursing Home Abuse

As people all over the state of Illinois grow older, it is not uncommon for family members to invest significant time in finding a proper nursing home or facility to care for their loved ones. Despite the best efforts of caring family members, nursing home abuse and neglect remains incredibly common and occurs even in some of the highest-rated homes.

Many negligent nursing homes will try to pass off injuries as being the result of a resident’s own carelessness, and families can frequently be confused about what options they have to make sure their loved ones remain safe. If you are concerned about your loved one’s safety in their nursing home, turn to an experienced Champaign nursing home negligence lawyer for help investigating the circumstances surrounding injuries and ensuring a negligent party is held accountable.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

When your loved one is in a nursing home, you may be wondering exactly what might be indicative that they are being abused or neglected. Some of the most common signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include, but are not limited to:

• Pressure ulcers (bedsores)

• Dehydration

• Residents being unusually emotionally upset, agitated, withdrawn, or non-communicative

• Falls, fractures, or head injuries

• Infections

• Malnutrition

• Rapid weight loss or weight gain, or other signs of malnutrition

• Reluctance to speak in the presence of staff members

• Unexplained injuries 

• Unsanitary conditions

• Greater isolation

• Other injuries requiring emergency treatment or hospitalization

• Heavy medications

Residents who suffer from Alzheimer’s or other intellectual degenerative diseases may struggle to communicate when they are being abused or neglected. Often, family members have to look at suspicious symptoms and follow their gut instinct that something may be wrong. Even if you are not completely sure whether your loved one’s injuries are coming from abuse or neglect at the hands of nursing home staff, it is important to look into suspicious injuries or behavior carefully. Doing so could protect not only your loved one, but others who may be hurt by inappropriate staff behavior as well. 

Contact a Springfield, IL Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer 

Do you suspect that your loved one might be the current victim of nursing home abuse or neglect in Central Illinois? Make sure you contact the Bloomington, IL nursing home negligence attorneys at Kanoski Bresney for help investigating the nursing home and working to ensure that negligent parties are held fully accountable.

Our firm understands how difficult these kinds of cases can be for most people, but we will work closely with you so you can be confident that you have a legal advocate who is helping you get justice. Call 888-826-8682 or contact us online to set up a free consultation so we can discuss your case further.

Source:

https://www.hpherald.com/evening_digest/south-shore-nursing-home-repeatedly-cited-for-understaffing-resident-neglect/article_15aac572-18fb-11ed-8f1e-fff14eed348a.html

https://foxillinois.com/newsletter-daily/champaign-nursing-home-fined-for-failing-to-prevent-abuse

https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/health-care-regulation/nursing-homes/violator-quarterly-reports/2022-2nd-quarterly-report.html