Jacksonville, Illinois Assisted Living Facility is Fined for Failing to Protect Residents From Nursing Home Negligence
The Illinois Department of Public Health is fining Golden Moments Senior Care Center for failing to protect six nursing home residents from becoming the victims of verbal, mental, and physical abuse. The $20,000 fine comes after an inspection last June that took place when the Jacksonville, Illinois nursing home told the state about accusations made against a former nursing aide.
The state report describes some of the alleged Illinois nursing home abuse incidents. In one incident, staff “forcefully” held down a male resident while threatening to cut his throat. The male resident cried. In another alleged abuse incident, staff confiscated a female resident’s food and nail polish while slapping her face. Other patients complained that staff took away their drinks or food. The report says that a number of nursing home staff members recorded themselves making fun of residents.
The state says that patients complained about the abuse incidents for at least two weeks and other staff members saw, knew about, or suspected that nursing home abuse was taking place yet did not report the problem immediately. It would be at least six weeks, possibly several months, before the administrator that there were problems.
The Illinois Department of Health says that the for-profit nursing home failed to have a registered nurse on duty for 8 hours, 7 days a week. There were also maintenance and housekeeping issues.
The Illinois State Police is investigating the abuse allegations and the Morgan County State’s Attorney Chris Reif will consider whether criminal charges need to be filed.
US News & World Report gave Golden Moments a “one” out of five-star rating. The Jacksonville, Illinois nursing home is contesting the fines. Meantime, the nursing home aide, who was fired from the assisted living facility, is denying the allegations.
US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid spokeswoman Elizabeth Surgene says Golden Moments continues to remain out of compliance with federal health standards. Federal fines against the Illinois nursing home over the nursing home abuse allegations are accumulating.
Police investigate nursing home abuse claims, The State Journal Register, August 23, 2009
Local nursing home faces fines, investigation, My Journal Courier, August 25, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Please contact Chicago, Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Steve Malman today.
