Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

“There is no more justified use of our courts than to prosecute those who abuse and neglect the aging patients they are entrusted to care for.”

Michael D. Carter, Jr.
Attorney, Horwitz, Horwtiz & Assoc. Ltd

“One of the biggest challenges we face is educating the public regarding the absolute failure of our current system of care within nursing homes and long-term care environments.”

Despite routine claims that Medicare and Medicaid are to blame, failing to provide adequate funding to enhance quality of care and improve staffing levels within nursing homes and long-term care facilities, nothing could be farther from the truth.

In fact, progressive facilities (although few in numbers, but growing) have cut budgets substantially while increasing staff levels when a heightened “total patient care” approach has been adopted and implemented.

No one wants to believe, or can even fathom that trained and licensed staff at a skilled nursing facility would abuse or injure their elderly loved one.

Who could imagine purposeful neglect; the vulnerable and the weak left unattended in soiled clothing and bedding for days, or fed anything less than a nutritional, balanced diet. Yet, these substandard conditions along with over-medicating, restricted physical activity and poor hygiene continue to be commonplace within an industry of terror against our frail and aging.

One of the biggest challenges we face is educating the public regarding the absolute failure of our current system of care within nursing homes and long-term care environments.

The time for critical action from lawmakers and those who have been entrusted to govern oversight of nursing homes and long-term facilities has long passed. Still by understanding the right questions to ask ahead of time and knowing how to investigate a facility properly, you can provide a higher standard of care for your loved ones.

Horwitz, Horwitz and Associates is dedicated to the pursuit of dignity and quality care for residents of skilled nursing homes and long-term care facilities in Illinois.

If you suspect abuse and/or neglect of a loved one, or if your family rights have been violated, please contact our office for a free consultation with an experienced attorney immediately.

Attorney Jeffrey Schlapp answers your nursing home abuse and neglect questions on "Ask the Attorney" Audio Feature.

Support House Bill 3445

NURSING HOME LIABILITY INSURANCE

Time Passes as Nursing Home Care Worsens

As the need for quality care grows with an expanding aging population, the state of nursing homes in Illinois continues to decline.

Time Passes as Nursing Home Care Worsens Our four-part audio series covers an overview of what families must know before choosing a care facility, the role of the Ombudsman & Family Councils, are nursing homes really capable of caring for our injured soldiers returning home, and new legislation that will require nursing homes to carry liability insurance for licensing -- currently, most don't. [Click here for Audio Series]

Helpful Resources

Links

Citizen Action/Illinois - The state's largest public interest organization and a progressive political coalition committed to creating social change both in Illinois and across the nation.ICARE - The Illinois Community Advocates for Residents' Empowerment. I CARE is a long-term care ombudsman program mandated under federal and state law to protect, defend and advocate for residents' rights in long-term care facilities.
TLC in LTC - An Illinois Coalition of Family Members and Friends of Long-Term Care Residents
Equip for Equality - Advancing the human and civil rights of children and adults with physical and mental disabilities in Illinois

Local Ombudsman Program

To address the concern of residents' rights, the ombudsman program was created in the early 1970's by the National Older Americans Act to protect the rights of nursing home residents by investigating and resolving their complaints. Currently, there are seventeen regional ombudsman programs throughout the State of Illinois that work under the auspices of the Illinois Department on Aging. The ombudsman program assures residents receive quality care and a dignity of life at the highest practical level. Certified ombudsmen visit residents age 60 or older in long-term care facilities monthly to: