nursing home negligence

Nursing Homes May Purposely Ignore Dementia Symptoms

Published on: August 7, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Identifying Dementia Warning Signs in Nursing Home Residents

Dementia denial from caregivers is real and dangerous. And unfortunately, many nursing home owners find it easier to have staff ignore the warning signs of declining cognitive abilities rather than provide additional support. Dementia diagnoses can also be missed when overworked, and poorly resourced care teams are not trained to evaluate struggling residents who require extra supervision and management of their daily activities, medications, and financial needs. Eventually, these residents need to move to a 24-hour assisted specialized environment to keep them safe, especially as their disease progresses into later stages. Family members and friends are typically the first to request help after noticing a loved one’s behavioral changes or one or more of the concerning events listed below.

#1. Early Stage Memory Loss

Meadowbrook Nursing Home Is Still Battling COVID-19

Published on: August 6, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Meadowbrook Manor Reports Another COVID-19 Death, Highest Case Rate in Will County

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports another COVID-19 death at Meadowbrook Manor in Bolingbrook in Will County. The facility has been home to 41 deaths since the start of the pandemic, with the majority related to an outbreak in May. This is the first death noted since May 29^th.

The facility has the highest number of deaths in Illinois among any other long-term care facility.

Nursing Homes Still Understaffing In Dire Situations

Published on: July 24, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

The Chronic Problems Related to Understaffed Nursing Homes

Deliberate understaffing is a common practice in nursing homes across the U.S., and especially here in Illinois, where nearly 70% of all long-term care networks are for-profit owned. When facilities are privately owned and operated, owners become more concerned about profits than having the right amount of staff available to provide quality patient care. According to a 2018-2019 report prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services, an incredible 90% of U.S. facilities are understaffed. The findings were documented by evidence through payroll records that showed nursing homes were underreporting staffing challenges.

Worker shortages contribute to nursing home struggles that sometimes lead to preventable hospitalizations, injuries, or deaths. Risky cost-cutting measures and unethical practices are creating a ripple of adverse effects that nursing home residents ultimately pay for.

Majority of COVID-19 Deaths Are Nursing Homes Residents

Published on: July 23, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Analysis of COVID-19 Long-Term Care Deaths in 17 Countries

The Canadian Institute for Health Information performed an analysis using data collected (report as of May 25, 2020) from 17 countries to show the similarities and differences between coronavirus pandemic experiences related to long-term care. The review focused on three specific areas of comparison:

COVID-19 outcomes in LTC (cases and deaths)

Summer Temps Raise Nursing Home Neglect Concerns

Published on: July 22, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Nursing Homes Should Identify Signs of Heat Stroke in Residents Before It’s Too Late

Elderly nursing home residents, without the appropriate indoor cooling areas, can negatively react to high-temperature exposures and become especially at risk for heat stroke or heat stress injuries. Heat stroke is a serious condition that can cause seizures, fluid retention, brain damage, dehydration, cardiac-related events, and even death. When a nursing home is not prepared to manage residents in the heat, residents will suffer.

To identify any heat-related illness, nursing home staff should watch out for:

COVID-19 Questions & Answers About Illinois Nursing Homes

Published on: July 20, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

FAQ: July 2020 COVID-19 Update for Illinois Nursing Home Families

As of July 10^th, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has reported 23,324 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases and 3,895 deaths among all Illinois long-term care (LTC) facilities, not just outbreaks. These numbers reflect over half of all coronavirus cases tied to long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living centers.

Because of the ill-preparedness and disastrous response to the pandemic by several nursing home owners and operators, the attorneys at Levin & Perconti have launched more than 100 investigations regarding gross negligence related to COVID-19 outbreaks in Illinois. And as part of our work as elder care advocates, we have provided answers and legal solutions to concerned family members and nursing home workers since the pandemic began.

Symphony of Morgan Park: COVID-19 Summary

Published on: July 6, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Symphony of Morgan Park releases COVID-19 statistics showing 194 COVID infections and 22 deaths. Levin & Perconti, Illinois nursing home lawyers launch investigation into gross negligence in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

On June 5, 2020, Symphony of Morgan Park, located in Chicago, IL, released long term care outbreak data reporting of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 outbreak cases. These statics confirm that 194 infections and 22 deaths have occurred at the facility during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Quarterly Reports:

Cass County Seeing Increase in COVID-19 Cases

Published on: July 3, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Cass County Reports Increased COVID-19 Risk Sparked by Outbreak at Unnamed Nursing Home

COVID-19 continues to plague Illinois long-term care facilities, including nursing homes. And as Illinois approaches Phase 4 of its reopening measures, Cass County, located in central Illinois, is the only county reporting a significant increase in COVID-19 risks to residents. The Illinois Department of Health (IDPH) has been monitoring several indicators that measure the health burden of COVID-19 in each county. For the reporting period of June 14 through June 20, Cass County’s case rate was 191 per 100,000, well above the 50 per 100,000 preferred target. An estimated 20 new cases have been linked to a long-term care facility, as confirmed by IDPH.

The new cases include:

Uptown Health Center: COVID-19 Summary

Published on: July 3, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Uptown Health Center releases COVID-19 statistics showing 122 COVID infections and 17 deaths. Levin & Perconti, Illinois nursing home lawyers launch investigation into gross negligence in preventing the spread of COVID-19

On June 12, 2020, Uptown Health Center, located in Chicago, IL, released long term care outbreak data reporting of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 outbreak cases. These statics confirm that 122 infections and 17 deaths have occurred at the facility during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Quarterly Violations

Some Illinois Nursing Homes Now Open For Visitors

Published on: June 30, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

As Illinois Nursing Homes Allow for Outdoor Visitors, Family Members Can Look Out for Signs of Distress

COVID-19 is still spreading in Illinois with officials from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reporting 715 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, June 24, while deaths increased by 64. That brings the total cases in Illinois to 138,540, including 6,770 deaths, in 101 Illinois counties. Infections at long-term care facilities comprise nearly 16% of the state’s total cases, but nursing home residents who have died from the virus make up more than 55% of the state’s fatalities. IDPH has started to require testing of residents and staff members at those facilities, and recently announced new measures which allow for nursing home visitors to meet with residents and loved ones under strict precautions.

In a released statement by IDPH on June 18, 2020, Illinois long-term care facilities may begin to allow outdoor visitation for residents when certain conditions are met. Visits to Illinois nursing homes have been restricted since mid-March.