Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog

Another fugitive has been arrested in an Illinois nursing home as authorities continue to target facilities suspected of housing wanted felons or other dangerous residents, the Belleville News Democrat reported.

The latest Operation Guardian compliance check occurred in East St. Louis at Virgil Calvert Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and snagged a 61-year-old man wanted on Missouri drug charges. The sweep also gave authorities a chance to conduct a safety review and a review of other compliance issues within the home. It was conducted by investigators from Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's Office, Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.

Our Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys reported raids on nursing homes throughout the city led to the arrest of numerous wanted felons earlier this year. As we reported on our Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog, lawmakers recently passed new legislation aimed at overhauling the state's troubled nursing home industry.

Operation Guardian was formed after authorities targeted a Chicago home for failure to complete background checks and criminal histories on residents to identify those who may pose a threat to the safety of others in the home. That home was closed down by state investigators. Five other homes in the Chicago area currently face attempts by the state for force them to close.

So far, 12 homes have been inspected, leading to 12 arrests and the identification of 61 people wanted on warrants. No home has been check where at least one resident was not identified as having an active warrant. However some warrants had geographic limits and those jurisdictions have chosen not to arrest the individuals.

"Criminals are using nursing homes as safe houses," Madigan said after the sweep. "Our state should not have fugitives hiding in our nursing homes."

In this case, officials at the home said they did not realize the resident was wanted. A public health inspection in January found a number of violations. Two sex offenders were also found in the home during that inspection. The law permits sex offenders to live in Illinois nursing homes but staff must provide a plan to keep other residents safe by restricting the offender's contact.

Continue reading " Illinois nursing home raid finds wanted felon; sweeps continue to identify potential for neglect and abuse " »

Allegations of Chicago nursing home neglect at a facility part owned by an Illinois state senator could lead to the loss of the facility's license, the Chicago Tribune reported.

State health authorities have moved to revoke the license of Evergreen Health Care Center in Evergreen Park, alleging serious patient neglect in the southwest suburban nursing home co-owned by state Sen. Heather Steans. The Tribune reports that the lawmaker has no operating role at the facility. The Chicago Democrat said she has drawn little or no income from the home, saying she owned a small stake in companies responsible for its management.

An Illinois Department of Health spokesperson said the facility was sent a revocation notice on Friday. Under state rules, the facility can voluntarily surrender its license or contest the action by requesting a hearing before an administrative law judge.

The Evergreen facility was recently added to a federal list of the nation's most troubled nursing homes. Authorities allege that inspections have found numerous safety violations. Steans said the infractions were "incredibly troubling" but contends the facility has taken corrective action.

The Tribune notes the awkward political position the lawmaker now finds herself in, having worked on comprehensive reform legislation aimed at improving safety and care standards at nursing homes throughout the state. As our Chicago nursing home neglect and abuse lawyers recently reported, the Illinois nursing home reform measure was unanimously passed by lawmakers and now awaits the governor's signature.

On her financial disclosure statements, she declared membership interests in two firms that collected $2 million in management and lease fees from Evergreen last year. She said none of that money was paid to owners.

Allegations against Evergreen include failure by staff to notify a doctor of the deteriorating health of a 90-year-old resident suffering from pneumonia and failure to prevent maggots from infecting the scalp of an 86-year-old cancer victim.

The state health department reports that other revocation actions are currently pending against nursing homes in the Chicago area:

-Columbus Manor Residential Care Home
-Rainbow Beach Care Center
-Regal Health and Rehabilitation Center
-Fox River Pavilion in Aurora.

Somerset Place in Uptown was shut down in March after receiving a similar order.

Another nursing home, South Shore Nursing & Rehabilitation center, was recently added to the federal watch list, in part as a result of failure to properly supervise residents.

Continue reading " Illinois lawmaker has ownership stake in Chicago nursing home accused of neglect " »

The Chicago nursing home neglect lawyers and Illinois elder abuse attorneys at Abels & Annes encourage families to become proactive in choosing an Illinois nursing home or assisted living facility. Advanced research can help ensure a loved one is placed in an environment capable of providing the proper care.

Illinois operates one of the country's most embattled nursing home systems. Our Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog continues to report problems with convicted felons and unsafe conditions at homes throughout the Chicago area.

Those considering an Illinois nursing home should review a home's record of violations through the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The average cost for a nursing home stay is about $74,000 a year, while the cost for an assisted living facility is $34,000. The number of assisted living facilities has exploded in recent years. About 38,000 assisted living facilities serve an estimated 975,000 residents.

A number of considerations can help determine whether a nursing facility or assisted-living facility is right for you and your loved one.

U.S. News & World Report recently published 9 things to consider when selecting a nursing home or assisted living facility.

1) Quality of Life: Choosing a home near a resident's social network, including family and friends, can have a positive impact on their quality of life and ensure visitors can help ensure a resident's welfare.

2) Current and Future Needs: Choosing an environment capable of handling current and future health issues can help with continuity of care. If a loved one has dementia or other progressive illness, will the home be able to handle their future needs?

3) Financial Stability: Choosing a home with a solid track record is important. A home with financial problems can impact quality of care.

4) Proper Licensing: Check with the agency that licenses homes to ensure that the home you are considering has the proper licenses and no serious history of violations.

5) Get Referrals: Seek input from the family members of other residents.

6) Ask about a Waiting List: Many good homes have a waiting list. Don't assume the home will have room when you need it. Conversely, there may be a reason why a home has no wait to admit residents. Do your homework.

7) Make Repeat Visits: Visit a home several times at different times before making a final selection.

8) Talk to Residents: During your visits, ask residents about their experiences. Be wary of homes that do not encourage you to speak with residents.

9) Consult a lawyer about a home's contract: A contract for a nursing home or assisted-living facility is a complex document best discussed with an experienced attorney.

Continue reading " Investigation before placement can help reduce risk of Chicago nursing home neglect or abuse " »

A Lake County nursing home as been cited as one of the worst performing skilled nursing homes in the country, the Post Tribune reported.

The facility is owned by Illinois nursing home operator Eric Rothner and a family of companies owned or controlled by his family. They also own Northlake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Merrillville, which was closed earlier this month. He and his family own shares in nearly two dozen nursing homes in four states, including South Shore Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Chicago, which also has been cited for poor performance.

Chicago nursing home neglect cases have continued to make news in the wake of a series of raids and investigative media reports that have outlined a host of issues. As we reported on our Illinois Nursing home Abuse Lawyer Blog, state lawmakers recently passed an overhaul of the state system, which awaits the governor's signature.

Sebo's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hobart has been added to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services list of poorly performing nursing homes. The Special Focus Facilities list includes homes that have demonstrated a pattern of severe quality and patient safety problems over a period of years.

A spokesman for Evanston, Illinois-based Extended Care Clinical, the parent company, said there was nobody available to comment.

The problems at the Sebo's home date back to at least 1999. The home received 16 substantiated complaints from state inspectors between 2007 and 2009. Substandard quality of care designations were made in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009.

Continue reading " Illinois nursing home operator's problems continue; poor care and safety hazards alleged by federal inspectors " »