Illinois Ranks #2 on List of States with Most Nursing Homes Noted For Poor Quality
According to the General Accounting Office, Illinois fared poorly in a study that ranked the state #2 for its number of nursing homes that received “most poorly” assessments when it comes to quality care measures. The study, released Monday, reported that 47 Illinois nursing homes were noted for poor quality.
Assisted living facilities were rated based on nursing home bedsore prevention procedures, staffing levels, and measures taken to prevent nursing home abuse and neglect. Nursing homes that were recognized for “poor performance” on average exhibited 46% more deficiencies that were harmful to residents than the assisted living facilities that did not rate as badly.
This news is disturbing, considering that over 92,000 people currently reside in Illinois nursing homes. Many of them are very sick/frail and unable to take care of themselves. This makes them vulnerable to becoming victims of nursing home abuse or neglect.
Sexual abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, elder financial abuse, negligent care, failure to supervise, and medical negligence are just some examples of nursing home abuse and neglect. Nursing home neglect and abuse inflict serious harm on patients who may not even know what is happening or are unable to report the incident.
Nursing home workers, assisted living facilities, and the companies that manage them must be held accountable for nursing home abuse and neglect so that our sick and elderly are safe while getting the care that they need.
Nursing home neglect and abuse can lead to injuries, deterioration of the victim’s health, and death. If you think that your sick or elderly family member might be experiencing nursing home abuse or neglect, you should contact a Chicago nursing home abuse law firm as soon as possible.
Illinois ranks high on bad nursing home report, Chicago Business, September 29, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Read the GAO Nursing Home Study (PDF)
Chicagoland's Nursing Homes, Chicago Tribune
