What Are the Three Most Common Complaints About Nursing Homes?
Nursing homes provide an essential service to the citizens of our communities. These long-term care facilities are meant to be a haven where residents can enjoy safety, health, emotional wellbeing, and meaningful social relationships—while receiving the hands-on, round-the-clock care their age or condition requires. But like any type of organization, there are good nursing homes, […]
Illinois Nursing Home Regulations
Illinois nursing home regulations exist to keep older and vulnerable adults residing in nursing homes safe, healthy, and protected from harm. Our state government has established a comprehensive system of laws to protect care facility residents, recognizing that nursing home abuse and neglect is a very real and serious problem.  Thomas Law Offices in Chicago, […]
Nursing Home Resident Fatally Poisoned After Being Given Dishwashing Soap To Drink
A California nursing home is under investigation after three of its residents were given liquid dishwashing soap to drink. The residents had been told that the liquid was juice. The dishwashing soap contained toxic chemicals known to be harmful to human health, and all three victims were transported to an area hospital for treatment. At […]
How Can High Turnover Rate Indicate Poor Care in a Nursing Home?
The 10% rule is often cited as an indicator of good company health. When employee retention rates reach 90% or higher, a company can generally be considered a good place to work. The healthcare industry typically averages slightly higher turnover rates than other sectors. This has been particularly true since the onset of the COVID-19 […]
What Are Telltale Signs of Malnutrition in Nursing Home Residents?
No one wants to send their elderly or incapacitated loved one away to live in a nursing home. Most family members would find a way to take care of their loved ones themselves at home if they thought they could give them the adequate care they needed. That’s not feasible for many families, though.  Why […]
Two Nurses Arrested in Ohio for Nursing Home Resident Neglect
In April 2022, Sunrise Manor nursing home’s director of nursing and assistant nursing director were arrested for allegations of patient neglect. Christina Drake and Jennie Elliott are being investigated following a criminal complaint filed in regard to an incident that occurred in April 2020. The two nursing staff members are facing multiple first-degree misdemeanor charges, […]
What Are Kentucky’s Minimum Nursing Home Staffing Requirements?
There is a consistently-proven link between staffing issues and poor quality of care for nursing home residents. In the following article, we’ll explore the question: What are Kentucky’s minimum nursing home staffing requirements, and how do they impact our state’s older adult population? After reading, please feel welcome to contact Thomas Law Offices if you […]
How Has COVID-19 Caused Nursing Home Shortages?
We have seen the pandemic sweep across U.S. industries and leave an indelible mark. Restaurants, bars, diners, coffee shops, arts and entertainment venues, and thousands upon thousands of small businesses have been forced to shut their doors because they just don’t have enough people to keep them running. Understaffing continues to be a critical issue […]
When Is an Elderly Patient at Risk for a Nursing Home Fall Injury?
After the age of 30, a person’s strength and endurance will decrease by 10% each decade. At least one-third of individuals over 65 and over 40% of people aged 80 and above fall each year. For elderly patients living in nursing homes, falling is a serious risk that leads to injury, disablement, and even death […]
How Law Enforcement Agencies Handle Nursing Home Abuse Allegations in Chicago
Between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020, The Illinois Department on Aging (DOA) Adult Protective Services (APS) received 20,800 reports of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation. Older adult abuse is a serious problem facing our Chicago neighbors who reside in nursing homes. Loved ones of abuse victims can contact a nursing home abuse lawyer […]
Nursing Home Residents and Self-Neglect: Who Is Responsible?
It is comprehensible that an older adult living alone may be a victim of self-neglect. If an elderly individual with diminished capacities does not have family, friends, or neighbors to regularly assist and support them, there is a possibility that they will fall into a dangerous situation of poor hygiene, undernourishment, untaken medications, or failure […]
New York Nursing Homes to See 5% Profit Cap in 2022
Under a new budget established by Governor Andrea Cuomo’s office, all nursing home operators in New York will be required to return all profits in excess of five percent to the state beginning in January 2022.
End-of-Life Care and Your Rights in Illinois
As someone nears the end of their life—whether it be sudden or an expected decline, decisions will need to be made about allowable medical care, the person’s estate, and what their wishes are in terms of funeral services. While it’s normal for family members not to want to have those discussions, it’s imperative to have […]
Nursing Homes and Patient Care Plans
If you’re loved one is entering into a nursing home, it’s important to understand the care they’ll receive to ensure they will have what they need to meet their care goals. Nursing homes have specific ways they handle developing patient care plans, so you’ll want to understand that unique process. It, however, is important to […]
The Dangers of Negligent Hiring and Supervision in Nursing Homes
All nursing homes should be outfitted with knowledgeable and resourceful employees and staff members. When a facility follows federal law, there are strict staffing procedures in place to ensure that only qualified people, including registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, and physical therapists, provide direct care to the elderly residents. Nursing homes that […]