Nursing homes are meant to provide a safe and comfortable environment for the elderly. However, it is not common to hear reports of nursing home abuse in Illinois. If you suspect that someone you love is the victim of nursing home abuse, then you should investigate the situation. To do so, you may want to retain the help of a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney.Federal regulations According to regulations enforced by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, a nursing home facility must provide patients with care that will enable the patient to attain a high level of well-being. The nursing home must:
- Provide a high quality of life
- Allow patients to choose from activities, schedules and in heath care decisions
- Provide 24-hour licensed practical nurse care 7 days a week
- Have at least one RN on duty at least 8 hours a day, 7 days a week
The failure to meet the requirements can be viewed as negligence or abuse. Abuse may also include physical harm, emotional harm, sexual abuse, or some form financial exploitation.Indications of Nursing Home Abuse Nursing home abuse can occur in a variety of ways. It may be due to malnourishment, physical abuse, or over-medication. Fortunately, there are warning sings that can indicate nursing home abuse in Illinois. If you see a warning sign and discover abuse, you should report it to the authorities.Some of the warning signs of physical nursing home abuse include:
- Bruises
- Bedsores
- Unexplained Injuries
- Complaints of isolation and neglect
In fact, neglect is one of the most dangerous forms of nursing home abuse in Illinois. Neglect can lead to poor personal hygiene, a failure to treat medical conditions, infections, and depression. If someone you love is not being provided with the necessities for daily living, then the nursing home is not doing its job. Residents should be fed and cleaned, as well as protected from health and safety hazards. Nursing homes that fail to do so may be held liable for their actions.
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If you feel that your loved one is or has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, file an Illinois nursing home complaint here.