When the vast majority of Americans think about problems at nursing homes, they think of outright abuse, such as intentional physical harm, verbal abuse, or sexual misconduct. In reality, the vast majority of problematic behavior from nursing home staff members comes in the form of nursing home neglect. 

Nursing home neglect differs from nursing home abuse in that neglect is not always intentional, but is often an unintentional oversight or breach of responsibility that results in harm to the nursing home occupant. Thousands of elderly Americans are plagued by the negligence of their caretakers, and if you believe that your elderly loved one is being negatively affected by negligent staff at their nursing home facility, it is important to understand your legal options. 

Types of Nursing Home Negligence 

Much like nursing home abuse, negligence in a senior care facility can come in a number of different forms. The four most common types of senior care negligence include: 

When we place our elderly loved ones in an assisted living facility or nursing home, we are placing a great deal of trust in the caretakers and staff members of the facility. Tragically, a large number of assisted living facilities allow their staff to neglect and abuse their residents, either knowingly or unknowingly. In fact, approximately two million cases of elder abuse are reported each year. 

Shockingly, nearly one in ten Americans over the age of 65 will experience some form of elder abuse. If you believe your elderly loved one is suffering from nursing home neglect or abuse, it is time to contact law enforcement officials, medical staff, and a legal team you can trust. 

What Is Elder Abuse? 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), elder abuse is defined as the intentional act of causing harm to an elderly person entrusted to one’s care. Elder abuse is not just limited to outright physical abuse, but it can also come in the form of emotional and verbal abuse, neglect of the everyday needs of the patient, and sexual misconduct. 

Cycling is a common form of exercise, recreation, and transportation in the Chicago area, especially in the summer months. However, while cycling may be a relaxing and enjoyable activity, it can be extremely dangerous. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 3,322 bicycle crashes in the state in 2015 alone. 

Chicago and many other major cities have taken action toward making cycling safer for everyone. Bicycle lanes have been created to protect cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike. But even though cyclists are provided their own space on the road, serious and sometimes fatal bicycle accidents continue to happen daily.

Common Injuries

When people reach an advanced age and their health deteriorates, they may no longer be able to care for themselves. The decision to place a loved one in a nursing home can be difficult, and when doing so, family members will want to be sure that the facility will provide them with the care they need. Unfortunately, injuries sometimes occur to patients in these facilities, and whether these injuries are the result of an accident or because of nursing home neglect or abuse, patients and their family members should be sure they understand their rights.

Rights of Nursing Home Residents

Federal and state laws provide nursing home residents with a number of rights and protections. When a resident suffers an injury, they and their family members should be aware of the following:

When we place our loved ones in the care of nursing homes or assisted living facilities, we expect them to be cared for correctly, treated with respect, and protected from harm. Unfortunately, substandard care and other forms of nursing home negligence can cause residents to suffer injuries, and even more troublingly, patients are often the victim of abuse.

The Problem of Elder Abuse in Illinois

A recent audit by the federal Department of Health and Human Services investigated cases which took place between 2015 and 2016 in which emergency room records indicated that nursing home patients may have experienced physical or sexual abuse. The audit found that in 28% of these cases, the possible abuse was not reported to the police. Of the 33 states where these incidents occurred, Illinois had the highest number of cases.