Moving an elderly parent, older family member, or other vulnerable loved one into a nursing home is a big decision. There are often many options available. The Illinois Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that our state has around 1,200 licensed long-term care facilities. However, unfortunately, they are not all good ones.
Nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect remain serious problems. At Kennedy Watkins LLC, we are strong advocates for helping people fight the best available facility. Safety matters. Here, our Chicago nursing home abuse attorney highlights the key signs that suggest that you have found a good long-term care facility for your vulnerable loved one.
Five Signs that Indicate that You Have Found the Right Nursing Home
- Current Residents Seem Well Cared For
Can you take a tour of the facility? If so, you and your family should—and you should take a careful look at the current residents. Do residents appear clean, appropriately dressed for the weather, and free from odors? Do you see staff interacting warmly, calling residents by name, adjusting pillows, offering hydration, and responding quickly to calls for help? You will have to make an assessment as to how residents of the long-term care facility are being treated. It is one of the biggest indicators of nursing home quality.
Even things like laughter, ongoing casual conversation, and residents engaged in activities are positive clues. It is a best practice to observe body language—looking for things like relaxed shoulders, eye contact, and smiles as those usually mean needs are met. Conversely, listlessness, unkempt clothing, or untouched meals may indicate neglect. Residents who look comfortable, content, and connected signal that routines, staffing levels, and clinical oversight are working well.
- The Facility is Properly Staffed
Staffing matters. The odds of nursing home abuse/nursing home neglect rises dramatically at an understaffed facility. A well-run nursing home in Illinois is one that maintains enough qualified professionals on every shift to meet resident needs promptly and safely. You and your family should not hesitate to ask about staff-to-resident ratios and compare day, evening, and night coverage. Observe whether call bells ring unanswered or if aides seem rushed. Notably, adequate staffing typically includes many (or all) of the following professionals:
- Registered nurses;
- Licensed practical nurses;
- Certified nursing assistants;
- Therapists; and
- Activity coordinators.
Families should look for consistent faces when they review staffing? What does that issue matter almost as much as the staffing level itself? The reason is that high turnover can disrupt care continuity. Families should confirm the presence of a full-time medical director and on-call physicians for acute issues. When there are sufficient, skilled, and stable employees, residents receive faster, more comprehensive care.
- Basic Hygiene is Being Handled the Right Way
In Illinois, licensed long-term care facilities have a legal responsibility to provide residents with sanitary, well-cared for conditions. Cleanliness protects frail residents from infections and preserves dignity. Your family should not hesitate to tour public areas, bathrooms, dining rooms, and individual suites. The surfaces should be dust-free, spills cleaned promptly, and linens fresh. It is good to look out for the smaller details involving hygiene. For example, hand-sanitizer stations need to be abundant and filled. All staff members must wash hands between tasks. You may want to ask questions about hygiene, such as how often bedding is changed and how laundry for incontinent residents is separated. A facility that prioritizes rigorous cleaning protocols is a good sign.
- They are Willing to Answer Your Questions
Imagine that you have a question about a long-term care facility in Illinois. Can you get a straight answer? If not, that could be a problem. The best nursing homes are responsive to questions from families of vulnerable people. Indeed, transparency is a hallmark of quality care. Administrators, nurses, and aides should welcome family inquiries about staffing, care plans, medication management, billing, or regulatory citations. You should take the time to notice whether answers are specific and backed by written policies rather than vague reassurances. A good facility will offer to share its state inspection survey and explain any deficiencies and corrective actions taken.
- You Have a “Good” Feeling
Finally, it is also a good idea to pay attention to any “gut feeling” that you have about a particular nursing home. Although not scientifically-based data, a gut feeling can absolutely be relevant. In many cases, intuition synthesizes details your conscious mind might miss. As you walk through hallways, observe whether the atmosphere feels calm, welcoming, and respectful. Is artwork cheerful, lighting natural, and music soothing rather than blaring televisions? Do you overhear staff using kind tones with residents and with each other? Pay attention to how your loved one reacts—relaxed smiles and easy conversation are meaningful clues. Trust your gut if something feels off. There are a lot of nursing homes in Chicago, Cook County, and communities beyond. If one of them does not feel right for your vulnerable loved one, it is best to play it safe.
Why Rely On Our Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Nursing home abuse cases are notoriously complex. If your loved one was harmed in a nursing home—either due to abuse or neglect—it is imperative that you have a top-tier advocate on your side. At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago attorneys are standing by, ready to protect your rights and your interests. With a proven history of verdicts and settlements, our Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer is free, fully confidential, and carries zero additional obligations.
Contact Our Chicago, IL Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago nursing home abuse attorney is standing by, ready to protect your rights and your interests. If your elderly parent or other vulnerable family member was the victim of nursing home abuse, we are here as a legal resource you can trust. Call us now or get in touch with us online for a free, fully confidential case review. With a legal office in Chicago, we handle nursing home abuse and neglect cases throughout the wider region.