We hear from a lot of families who are concerned about whether their loved one will be safe in a nursing home. When the elderly need additional care, we expect that the nursing home will protect them and provide them with what they need. When they fail to do so, contact our nursing home abuse lawyer Bolingbrook Illinois at 312-622-2900. At Carlson Bier Associates, we have the knowledge, skill, and passion to get you the compensation you deserve.
Sometimes, the family may wonder if they should speak up or let things go. They’re often surprised to learn that their loved ones can suffer abuse or neglect even if they have advanced medical conditions. However, there are some common myths about nursing home abuse and neglect that can make it more difficult for people to recognize when it’s happening.
Myth #1: Nursing home caregivers are always kind and compassionate, so I don’t need to worry
It’s natural to assume that the people who are caring for your loved one are kind and compassionate, but this is not always the case. Nursing home caregivers may be underpaid, overworked, or inexperienced. They may also have difficulty communicating with residents due to language barriers or other factors such as age.
You need to be aware of how the nursing home staff interacts with your elderly relative. Pay attention to the body language of your relative and if they seem scared or intimidated by anyone on staff. If they have been abused or neglected by a staff member, you will need a nursing home abuse lawyer Bolingbrook Illinois to help you with your claim.
When we think about what it means to be a professional, we tend to think of someone who has years of training and experience in his or her field. We want to believe it is someone who has committed himself or herself to learning as much as possible about how best to provide care for others. While this may be true for some, it does not apply universally across all professions within the industry.
Myth #2: My family members can prevent nursing home abuse and neglect
Family members are the most likely to notice changes in the person’s behavior and attitude. They can provide support, encouragement, and emotional support for the resident. Family members may also help with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing or dressing. This can be especially important if you have a loved one who is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease because they may become confused about how to perform these tasks on their own.
In addition to providing personal care services at home, family members can help keep your loved one healthy by encouraging them to follow doctor’s orders regarding medication schedules and diet plans. You may even arrange transportation when necessary so that medical appointments aren’t missed.
Although there are many things you can still do to support your loved one in a nursing home, you cannot be there all the time. You cannot watch them or the staff to ensure all protocols are being followed and all support is being provided. If abuse has occurred when you were unable to be there, contact our nursing home abuse lawyer Bolingbrook Illinois for a consultation. The team at Carlson Bier Associates have the experience and resources to help you.
Myth #3: My loved one’s medical condition makes them less likely to be abused or neglected
While it is true that nursing home residents with serious medical conditions are more vulnerable to abuse because of their inability to communicate their needs and keep themselves safe, this does not mean that all nursing homes are equipped to handle them. In fact, many facilities lack adequate staff training for handling patients with special needs and may not have equipment on hand that can help treat them effectively. This lack of preparation and training can lead to problems and neglect of loved ones.
It’s important for you to know that if your loved one complains about being abused or neglected, it does not mean he or she is “imagining things.” If there are warning signs that something isn’t right at the nursing home where your loved one resides (such as unexplained bruises on his/her body), then you should investigate further by talking directly with staff members who work closely with him/her on a daily basis.
Myth #4: Nursing homes are inspected frequently, so there’s no way they could be unsafe for residents
You might think that nursing homes are inspected frequently, so there’s no way they could be unsafe for residents. But the truth is that state and federal government inspectors only visit nursing homes once every two years. In addition, there aren’t enough inspectors to visit all of the more than 15,000 facilities in Illinois on a regular basis. And even if they did show up more often, they wouldn’t necessarily catch everything.
If they miss something and it results in your loved one being injured or killed, you may have a nursing home abuse claim. The nursing home abuse lawyer at Carlson Bier Associates is here to help you!
The nursing home industry has been very effective at influencing politicians who make decisions about funding levels for inspections. As a result, there hasn’t been much progress toward increasing staffing levels or frequency of visits over time (even though many experts agree this would help improve conditions).
Anyone who suspects abuse should speak up hire a nursing home abuse lawyer Bolingbrook Illinois right away
If you suspect that your loved one is being abused or neglected, it is important to speak up and get help. You may not be sure whether the situation requires legal action, but an experienced attorney can advise you on what steps to take next. If the abuse has already occurred and resulted in serious injuries or death, our firm will aggressively pursue justice for those who have been harmed.
If you have any questions about nursing home abuse and neglect claims in Illinois, contact our nursing home abuse lawyer Bolingbrook Illinois at 312-622-2900 for support.