The outlook on nursing homes in illinois
Tue 22 May, 2018 / by Robert Parker / Nursing Home Injury
The outlook on nursing homes in illinois
Illinois nursing home outlook remains concerning—many facilities remain understaffed and cited for violations. Quality improvement initiatives by IDPH and federal enforcement pressure facilities toward compliance. Consumer advocacy groups and quality ratings help families identify better facilities. Monitor your loved one’s placement carefully.
After finally selecting the perfect new place of residence for an elderly loved one, it can be upsetting to discover neglect, to say the least. No matter how serious the situation might be, abuse within the walls of a nursing home is simply unacceptable. The following information takes a look at local nursing homes and their ability to protect and care for senior residents across the state of Illinois.
Last August, WQAD-TV shared the unsettling news that Illinois had the highest number of reported incidents of nursing home abuse in the country between 2015 and 2016, followed by Texas and California. Even more disturbing, WQAD noted that a large number of abuse cases go unreported — despite federal laws requiring staff to do so. More specifically, staff must report incidents within a two-hour window if a serious injury is involved; in less severe cases, there is a 24-hour reporting window. Although Medicare prides itself in its concern over elderly patients in these facilities, the inspector general has placed recent pressure on the agency to begin scrutinizing computer records for possible signs of abuse.
The Belleville News-Democrat also weighs in on the state’s nursing homes and their abiity to provide quality care for residents, reporting that nursing homes in the metro-east area specifically provided substandard care. Some critics blame insufficient government reimbursement, understaffing and poor training. Others point toward the state’s privatized Medicare and Medicaid system, which often does not provide adequate funding. Whatever the reason, it is clear that Illinois is struggling to protect its nursing home patients: six residents died due to poor care from 2015 to 2017, and 13 out of the 18 nursing homes in Clair County received “below average” scores from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. As the problem persists, countless patients continue to suffer.
If your family has suffered a wrongful death, the our personal injury practice can help you seek justice and fair compensation.
Need a lawyer? This article is part of our Peoria Nursing Home Injury Lawyer practice area. Call Parker & Parker at 309-673-0069 for a free consultation.