Unfortunately, not all nursing homes in Chicago provide quality care and some may even be downright dangerous or neglectful. It can be hard to know which facilities are trustworthy and which should be avoided altogether.
That’s why families need to take proactive steps to protect their elderly relatives from bad nursing homes in Chicago. There are several things you can do as a family member or friend of an elderly person who needs long-term care that will help keep them safe and well-cared for while they are residents of a facility.
In this article, we’ll explore six strategies you can use to legally protect your loved ones from the bad nursing homes in Chicago so that you don’t have to worry about their safety and well-being while they’re away from home.
Hire a lawyer
One of the first steps you should take to legally protect your loved one from a bad nursing home is to hire an experienced attorney who specializes in elder law.
Your lawyer will be able to help you understand the laws and regulations that govern Chicago-area nursing homes and provide advice about how to best protect your elderly relative from neglect or abuse. If they have suffered neglect in a nursing home in Chicago, your lawyer can also help you file a lawsuit on their behalf and seek compensation for pain and suffering. Often, this is the best way to make sure that your loved one gets the justice they deserve.
Furthermore, an experienced lawyer will be able to review the nursing home’s policies and procedures and make sure that they are under federal and state laws.
Background check of the nursing home
Before your loved one moves into a Chicago-area nursing home, you should make sure to do a thorough background check on the facility. First, review any specific licensing requirements in Illinois so that you know which criteria must be met for the facility to qualify as safe and secure.
You should also research the facility’s history, look into any complaints that have been filed against it, and read reviews from current and former residents. This will help you gain a better understanding of the quality of care being provided at the nursing home and determine if it is a safe place for your elderly relative to live.
Visit in person
Visiting the facility in person will allow you to assess its physical environment and get a better feel for how the staff interacts with residents. You should also take some time to talk with other family members who have already placed their elderly relatives in the nursing home so that you can get an honest opinion of the quality of care they are receiving.
Be sure to ask questions about the facility’s safety features, such as security cameras and emergency call buttons. You should also inquire about any staff training or certifications that are in place to ensure quality care is being provided.
Get informed consent
Before you sign any papers agreeing to the placement of your loved one in a nursing home, it’s important to make sure that they understand exactly what is being asked of them. You should also ensure that they give informed consent, meaning they are aware of the risks and benefits associated with the facility and know exactly what their rights are as a resident.
Additionally, in the agreement, it should be stated that any concerns or complaints your loved one has about the quality of care they are receiving should be reported to a designated family member, who can then take appropriate action.
Review contracts and policies
Before you sign any contracts with a nursing home in Chicago, you should make sure to read and understand them thoroughly. Carefully go over all the details regarding your loved one’s rights and responsibilities as a resident and make sure that the facility is meeting all of its obligations to provide quality care.
Look for any clauses that may waive rights or limit the ability to take legal action if your elderly relative suffers neglect or abuse. This could be a warning sign that the nursing home is trying to protect itself from liability, so you must know exactly what you’re agreeing to before signing anything.
By taking the time to understand the laws and regulations governing Chicago-area nursing homes, doing a thorough background check on any facility you are considering for placement, visiting in person, getting informed consent before signing contracts and policies, and reviewing all documents carefully; you can ensure that your relative receives quality care while living in a safe environment.
With these steps taken, you can have peace of mind knowing that your loved one will be well cared for.