Nursing home residents rely on the care and attention of the staff of the facility for their well being. Often nursing home residents are elderly, and suffer from physical or emotional issues that require proper attention in receiving meals, medication, help with getting out of bed, and other assistance with daily activities. Unfortunately, nursing home residents are often vulnerable and are the victims of abuse and neglect.
Illinois has laws that protect nursing home residents from wrongdoing at nursing home facilities.
If you, or one of your family members, suspects that a resident is not receiving proper care at a nursing home, please feel free to contact The Law Office of Jeffrey Friedman, P.C. for a free consultation at 312-357-1431.
Many times, families and residents are intimidated about making complaints about the care that is being provided in a nursing home. If you make a complaint about the care being provided, you are protected under Illinois law. If you suspect retaliation, please feel free to contact The Law Office of Jeffrey Friedman, P.C. for a free consultation at 312-357-1431
Some of the most common warning signs of nursing home abuse and neglect are:
Signs of physical abuse:
- Unexplained cuts, bruises, wounds, welts or fractures
- Unexplained injuries
- Being treated and handled with excessive force
- Slapping, pushing, shaking, beating
- Untreated medical or dental problems
- Frequent use of Pain medication
- Caretakers being unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for a patient’s condition.
- Physical or Sexual Abuse
Signs of neglect:
- Bed sores (also knows as pressure sores or decubitus ulcers) - this includes the development of new bed sores and the deterioration and worsening of existing sores
- Infections
- Not being on an air mattress when the resident has existing deep bed sores
- Not being repositioned regularly
- Contractures or hardening of muscles or rigidity
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Excessive weight loss
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Unclean or unsanitary conditions
- Infections
- Not being provided with a feeding tube if resident is unable to intake food orally
- Over-medication
- Unsanitary Feeding Tube
- Falls
- Medication mistakes
- Wandering away from the facility