Nursing Home Abuse Q & A With Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld
Are you seeing an increase in the number of nursing home abuse claims?
Yes, unfortunately, we are seeing more situations involving abuse and injuries in nursing homes in Chicago and across Illinois. As the number of elderly people increases, so do the demands on the skilled nursing facilities and other care arrangements in the state.
As more people enter these facilities, the corporations who own many of them are failing to provide sufficient staff to care for them. When facilities are understaffed, patients’ needs go unmet and problems frequently arise.
In addition, understaffing facilities are grossly underpaying their staff. You typically get what you pay for when it comes to compensating staff. While there are dedicated staff at some nursing homes, the failure of facilities to pay adequate wages tends to attract workers with less skills and experience. Moreover, low wages contribute to high turnover of staff.
Without a doubt, staffing problems remain the number one issue related to the well being of nursing home staff.
What are the main types of injuries that you see in your law practice?
We’ve seen almost every conceivable injury in our law practice related to poor nursing home care. However most nursing home negligence cases involve the following:
Bed sores: when most people hear the words ‘bed sores’ they assume that the injuries are relatively benign. While there is such a thing as a ‘minor’ bed sore, a more severe bed sore is truly grotesque-- an open wound actually forms, exposing the tissues beneath the skin including the muscle. When the wounds are open, they are not only painful but also allow bacteria to enter the body potentially causing an infection or sepsis.
Falls: Falls in elderly can be extremely dangerous. Many falls in nursing homes result in broken bones. An elderly person’s fragile bones can take a long time to heal and may result in a drastic decline in the quality of their life.
Medication Errors: When staff fail to provide the correct dosage of a medication or give the wrong medication to a resident tragedy can ensue. Providing the correct medication to residents is not an elective decision, this is something mandated by law.
Why is poor nursing home care such a big problem in Chicago nursing facilities?
Chicago is no different than other areas, but poor care is pretty rampant in the area. Over the years, we’ve seen an increase in the number of large conglomerates entering the area of skilled nursing. Many of these companies have no experience with senior care and have entered the industry solely motivated by profit.
These companies operate to maximize profitability. Period. They have no interest in senior care or doing anything to improve the quality of life for the fragile patients they care for.
Clearly, what we’re seeing is an epidemic of corporations putting profitability over patient care.
How can families go about protecting their families from mistreatment in a nursing home?
The best thing families can do with respect to protecting their loved ones is to take an active role in their medical care. Simply staying involved and being present can go a long way towards identifying a small issue before it becomes a larger problem.
When facilities see family members present they are more likely to provide a higher level of care for their loved one compared to other patients who may not have family members present.
If you have a question about the care of a loved one, don’t be shy about asking questions or contacting your loved one’s physician and getting outside assistance. A proactive approach goes a long way towards the well being of your loved one.
What should families do if they encounter a situation involving poor care?
This really depends on the circumstance. If there is an acute situation involving an injury, you should contact the police immediately and get them the medical care they need. In other situations involving a less dire situation, you have more options.
The first step would be to set up a meeting with the administrator of the facility or head nurse. Depending on the outcome of the situation, you may contact an ombudsman in your area. An ombudsman can investigate the situation and has some power to rectify the situation and prevent further mistreatment of your loved one and other residents.
The last thing a family should be concerned about is being ‘overly’ involved in the care of their loved one. A proactive approach to care is the best way to ensure patients remain safe.
About Jonathan Rosenfeld: Jonathan is the founding attorney at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC in Chicago, Illinois. His law practice is dedicated to exclusively representing injured people in serious accidents and due to professional negligence. Outside of his legal practice, Jonathan is married and a proud father of two teenage children.
CONTACT:
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757