As our loved ones age, it can sometimes become difficult to provide them with the care they need—especially if they have diagnosed medical conditions. Depending on the situation, it could be necessary to transition them to a skilled nursing facility.
Nursing homes are supposed to provide their residents with the care they need to live as high a quality of life as possible. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. If your loved one has been mistreated in their long-term care facility, an Evanston, IL nursing home abuse lawyer from Thomas Law Offices can help.
At Thomas Law Offices, we’re dedicated to helping victims of nursing home abuse. If you are planning on filing an injury claim on behalf of your loved one, we’ll make sure you understand your legal rights and options and what you need to do to recover the compensation your family member needs to heal and find a better, safer facility.
Long-Term Care Facilities in Evanston
The largest employees and educational institutions in Evanston are hospitals and other healthcare companies. Because of that, it’s not necessarily challenging to find care, but you have to ensure it’s the right care. If you live in or around Evanston and are looking for a nursing home for your loved one, you’re likely going to look nearby. The following five facilities are within city limits:
- Aperion Care Evanston
- The Mather Evanston
- Symphony Evanston Healthcare
- Dobson Plaza
- Albany Care
Aperion Care in Evanston is a for-profit nursing home chain with locations spread throughout Evanston and the surrounding areas. While the facility has a positive history when it comes to health inspections, there have been complaints regarding patient mistreatment and environmental hazards.
The Mather, which is part of a continuing care retirement community, is a non-profit facility that is well-known for its care and the quality of life it’s able to provide to its residents. The facility has 37 certified beds that qualify for Medicare payments. The only issues in the past have revolved around health inspections.
Symphony Evanston Healthcare is a nursing facility that is tied to a non-profit corporation. While the facility has received a high rating for its care and staffing, there have been issues regarding quality control measures in the past.
Dobson Plaza has nearly 100 certified beds and participates in Medicare and Medicaid. The facility itself has had reports regarding reduced staff levels and poor quality measures in the past. Health inspections have also revealed environmental and fire concerns, as well as concerns regarding nutrition.
Albany Care is one of the largest nursing home facilities in the Evanston area, with over 400 beds. The facility is highly accredited for its care, but there have been reports of mistreatment, quality of care concerns, and environmental deficiencies.
According to the Medicare Nursing Home Compare tool, the facilities listed above all have above average or much above average ratings. While this is a good sign if you’re in the process of choosing a nursing home in Evanston, it does not guarantee your loved one will receive the care they are entitled to.
Neglect vs. Abuse in Nursing Homes
In the event you believe your loved one’s rights have been violated in the form of abuse or neglect, you’ll want to be able to identify the difference between the two so you can take the proper actions to protect your loved one.
While you may hear the terms nursing home abuse and neglect used interchangeably, the concepts are not the same. Abuse is the intentional infliction of harm, while neglect refers to the failure to provide the necessary care for an individual, resulting in injury.
Nursing home abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. As a result, a resident may sustain injuries like bruises, welts, or lacerations. Emotionally, a resident may become withdrawn or experience depression or anxiety. If a resident is financially exploited, you may notice missing property or see unexplained changes to bank accounts.
Neglect is often the result of a facility being understaffed. If there are not enough employees to care for residents, they may go a long time without the care they need. As a result, they may suffer from dehydration, malnourishment, or bed sores.
The moment you suspect abuse or neglect, you have the right to file a report. If you do, an investigation will be conducted, and the state will determine if the nursing home facility has violated state or federal law.
Contact Thomas Law Offices
If your loved one has been neglected or abused in their nursing home, it’s important to file a report with the state and get in touch with an Evanston, IL nursing home abuse lawyer. At Thomas Law Offices, we understand how devastating it can be to learn your loved one has been mistreated, and we have the resources to help you stand up for their rights and help them recover as fully as possible.
When you file a nursing home abuse claim, we will go through the claims process to hold the facility accountable for its actions or inactions. While most claims settle through negotiations, there is a chance you will need to pursue a lawsuit to get the compensation your loved one needs and deserves.
It’s important to note that filing a claim is a lengthy process, so the sooner you get started, the better. If you’re ready to learn how you can help your loved one get their life back in order, schedule a case evaluation with our law firm today.
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