Choosing An Illinois Nursing Home for Your Loved One
The decision to place your elderly or sick loved one in the care of a nursing home is one that can be fraught with anxiety, as well as relief that the person you care about is going to get the proper care that he or she needs. The city of Chicago and the other cities of Illinois have many nursing homes for you to choose from. However, not every nursing home will be the right fit for your family member.
Here are a number of suggestions to consider when evaluating nursing homes (AARP Magazine):
• Visit the nursing home and tour the facilities.
• You may even want to visit the home unannounced.
• Check to see if the rooms and bathrooms are clean.
• Make sure that there is sufficient hot water, which is a common complaint about nursing homes.
• Ask for a copy of the staff schedule to find out when shift changes occur and how many nurses are working during each shift.
• Watch the interactions between nurses and residents—do you see nurses dressing residents or walking them to the bathroom? Are restraints a common device used at the home?
• Evaluate the nursing home kitchen for cleanliness.
• Inquire whether the home has a licensed dietician.
• Ask about the accessibility of drinking water.
• Check the refrigerator to view the quality of food.
• Obtain the facility’s latest state inspection survey records to find out if the home has any recent violations.
• Inquire about communications between nursing home staffers and family members.
• If there is a support group for family members, ask to sit in.
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect are common problems in many Illinois facilities. It is not your fault if your loved one becomes a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, but carefully evaluating a nursing home before having the facility admit your loved one can be an important step toward protecting him or her from living in an environment where abuse or neglect is likely.
If you believe that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, it is important that you take steps to remove your relative from the facility right away.
Related Web Resources:
Choosing a Nursing Home, AARP
In Illinois, Chicago Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Steven J. Malman is committed to protecting nursing home abuse victims while fighting for their right to personal injury compensation. Contact the Law Offices of Steven J. Malman & Associates, PC today.
