Nursing Home Abuse

Because they gave you the best, we demand the best for them. Most of us were raised in a world where we were taught to respect our elders. When you make the difficult decision to place a loved in a nursing home, it is devastating when they are abused or neglected by the people you trusted to care for them. The harsh reality is that nursing homes sometimes place their interests in profits above the well being of people and that choice can lead to inadequate staffing or training, inappropriate care or inadequate supervision. Any one of these situations puts your loved one in harm’s way.

Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect often results in serious injuries or death. The consequences of abuse and neglect typically include bedsores, falls resulting in broken bones, assault, overmedication, dehydration and malnutrition. These injuries and conditions lead to depression, functional deterioration and a diminished quality of life.

When your loved one has been injured or has had his or her rights violated, you deserve to know why and what you can do about it. At the Law Offices of Staci M. Yandle, we can help you find the answers to those questions. You may even be entitled to financial compensation. Call us today for a free consultation to see if we can help.

What is elder abuse?

According to the Illinois Department on Aging, elder abuse refers to mistreatment of any Illinois resident 60 or over committed by another person on the elder including:

Abuse: physical, sexual or emotional maltreatment or willful confinement.

Neglect: the failure of a caregiver to provide the older adult with the necessities of life, including but not limited to food, clothing, shelter and medical care. Neglect may be either passive (non-malicious) or willful.

Financial exploitation: the misuse or withholding of the older adult resources by another to the disadvantage of the older adult or the profit of another.

Nursing home abuse and neglect may include:

• Bed Sores, Pressure Sore, Decubitus Ulcers
• Sepsis
• Wandering and Elopement
• Falls
• Physical Abuse or Battery
• Sexual Assault or Rape
• Physical restraints like straps or belts
• Chemical Restraints like sedative
• Excessive or inadequate Medication
• Verbal Abuse
• Malnutrition or Dehydration
• Medication Errors
• Choking
• Clogged Breathing Tubes
• Burns
• Financial Exploitation

Signs of abuse may include:

• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Unexplained injuries
• Open wounds, cuts, bruises, welts or bedsores
• Falls
• Agitation or emotional withdrawal
• Mood swings
• The inability of a caretaker explain the patient’s condition

Resources

• Understanding Illinois Nursing Home Regulation
• Evaluate possible homes
• Illinois Department of Public Health
• Illinois Department of Aging
• Elder Abuse and Neglect Program
• Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman
• The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
• AAJ Report: How the Civil Justice System Protects Elderly Americans