Posted on July 28, 2023 in Medication Errors

Medication errors in any type of medical facility can present a serious safety concern. While younger and healthier people may be better able to withstand minor errors in medication, the ill and elderly people who make up Chicago’s nursing home population can suffer serious harm after even a single mistake. While a younger and healthier person can often notice and speak up for themselves if they are about to be given the wrong medication, the average nursing home resident is unlikely to become aware of the error on their own. Nursing homes must take their duty to comply with industry standards for the protection of the elderly very seriously, or serious harm can come to a resident. If you have noticed changes in your elderly loved ones’ behavior or health, or if they have suffered an unexplained adverse health event, they may have been injured due to a medication error. An attorney can help you investigate further to determine whether your loved one may be owed compensation. 

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 Posted on July 20, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

When an elder’s loved ones place them in a nursing home, it is generally to keep them safe. Senior citizens often reach a point where it is no longer safe for them to live at home. They may begin to need more care or more skilled care than their family members can provide. Or, incidents that occur in the elder’s home may signal to relatives that it is not safe for them to live alone anymore. The primary reason we move elders into designated care facilities is because we want them to receive all the care they need, delivered by trained professionals. If you have a loved one living in a nursing home, finding out that they have not received essential care may be among your worst nightmares. Sadly, nursing home abuse and neglect is more common than most people would like to think. It is important to check on your loved ones in nursing homes frequently so that you will know right away if they are not receiving the care they need. 

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 Posted on June 29, 2023 in Neglect

Nursing homes often put profits over people. One way that they do this is by deliberately understaffing their facilities to save money on payrolls. Illinois has passed a law requiring certain staffing levels in nursing homes, but it is not yet effective. Understaffing can injure, or even kill, nursing home residents in a number of ways.

Residents Can Develop Infections

Nursing home staff perform a number of crucial functions that assist residents with activities of daily life. One key task is to change and toilet the residents when necessary. If a senior sits too long in unsanitary conditions, they may develop a urinary tract infection. Furthermore, staff must frequently change the resident’s position, so they do not develop pressure ulcers. Any minor infection can quickly become more serious without the proper care and supervision.

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 Posted on June 21, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

When considering placing loved ones in a nursing home, it is important to think carefully and with concern. There are potential risks, including common injuries, that come with nursing home care. Knowing about these injuries and Chicago's regulations can help family members advocate for their loved ones' safety and wellbeing.

Common Injuries in Nursing Homes

Some of the most common injuries in nursing homes are:

1. Concussions

Concussions caused by slips and falls are common occurrences in nursing homes. Detecting the symptoms of a concussion can be challenging. They can be mistaken for medication side effects or dementia, which leads to confusion, headaches, dizziness and mood changes. This can make it hard to detect them early.

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 Posted on June 05, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing homes play an essential role for elderly and sick individuals. They should be places of safety and refuge. Sadly, physical abuse within nursing homes is not unheard of. When a vulnerable resident suffers harm due to physical abuse, the resident or the resident’s loved ones may be able to take legal action to protect their rights and seek justice. In this blog, we will explore the issue of physical abuse in nursing homes and explain how a lawyer can help a nursing home abuse victim seek justice and compensation.

Physical Abuse in a Nursing Home

There is no doubt that nursing home staff have a challenging job. Caring for individuals who suffer from severe physical health conditions or cognitive impairment can be exhausting. However, nursing home staff are legally and ethically obligated to treat nursing home residents with respect and compassion.

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 Posted on May 30, 2023 in Neglect

Antibiotics are supposed to kill bacteria. However, some bacteria survive antibiotics and begin to grow and multiply. Eventually, certain strains of bacteria become resistant to common antibiotics. Many experts blame the overuse of antibiotics for the rise in these so-called “superbugs.”

For vulnerable nursing home residents, superbugs are a potentially deadly threat. Nursing home staff must take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of bacteria in the facility and keep residents as safe as possible. Failure to maintain a clean, hygienic facility and use appropriate measures to prevent the spread of bacteria can lead to avoidable infections.

Nursing Homes Must Take Steps to Reduce Drug-Resistant Bacteria

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 Posted on May 17, 2023 in Neglect

For most of us, eating is something that we do without giving it much thought. We may eat while watching TV, working, or even driving. However, the risk of choking while eating is always present, and this risk is especially severe for nursing home residents.

Residents in a nursing home are at an increased risk of injury or death caused by choking on food. Many residents are elderly and have reduced muscle mass which can make it difficult to swallow food. Others are on medication that causes dry mouth or other symptoms that make eating more challenging.

Nursing homes have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent residents from choking. If a nursing home resident is injured or killed due to a choking incident, the nursing home may be liable for damages in a nursing home injury or death claim.

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 Posted on May 03, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

When an individual suffers age-related cognitive decline or significant illness, he or she may require round-the-clock care in a nursing home. Living in a nursing home inevitably leads to a loss of independence. For example, an elderly person who has lost his eyesight may no longer have a valid driver’s license or be able to drive. An individual with advanced Alzheimer's disease may not be permitted to walk around the grounds of the nursing home facility alone because she could get lost.

However, nursing home residents still have important rights that are protected by state and federal law. In this blog, we will discuss some of the most important rights afforded to nursing home residents and what you can do if you believe that your loved one’s rights have been violated.

Rights Protected by the U.S. Constitution

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 Posted on April 28, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home negligence is a serious and growing problem in the United States. Not only is this form of negligence shockingly cruel and despicable, such negligence can easily lead to life-threatening injuries and sometimes even death. Several factors contribute to nursing home negligence, which is essential to understand why this form of negligence is so prevalent. If your loved one has suffered from instances of neglect, contact a nursing home negligence attorney to ensure those responsible can be held accountable for their actions. 

Factors that Contribute to Nursing Home Negligence

One of the primary causes of nursing home negligence is understaffing. Many nursing homes are understaffed, meaning caregivers may be forced to work long hours and care for many residents. This can lead to burnout and fatigue, which can, in turn, result in mistakes, neglect, or abuse. In addition, understaffing can make it difficult for caregivers to provide individualized care to each resident, leading to a decline in the quality of care.

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 Posted on April 24, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

Chicago is called the Windy City, but it is also known for having surprisingly warm summer weather. As summer approaches, nursing homes must be vigilant for signs of heat-related illnesses and other summertime dangers. Elderly people are more sensitive to higher temperatures and can suffer heat related-illness much more easily than a younger person would.

Many nursing home residents also have medical conditions or take medications that can make it harder for their bodies to cope with higher temperatures. It is imperative that nursing home staff be aware of the dangers associated with rising temperatures, the signs of heat-related conditions such as heat stroke, and take precautions to prevent wandering and elopement.

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