Nursing home regulations aim to guarantee that residential facilities provide safe, sanitary, home-like environments where residents receive quality care. Inadequate regulation in nursing homes has resulted in an epidemic of nursing home abuse and neglect. We are passionate advocates for reform who fight for change and hold nursing homes accountable when they harm residents by failing to provide the care and respect they deserve. Nursing home abuse and neglect is an ongoing nationwide crisis that has persisted for decades amid lax nursing home regulations. Many nursing home providers are pow ..read more

Virginia Nursing Home Operator Found Guilty of Health Care Fraud In Norfolk, Virginia, the operator of Turning Points Residential Care has been sentenced to two years in prison for defrauding Medicaid. According to July 2, 2021 court documents, 47-year-old Lopez Scott submitted more than $188,000 in false claims for a residential nursing facility his business was authorized to use to provide residential support services and skilled nursing services to recipients of Medicaid. “For three years, the defendant used his position as a nursing home operator to obtain over $188,000 from the Vir ..read more

120 Cook County Nursing Homes Still Reporting Open COVID-19 Outbreaks in June 2021 Despite the distribution and availability of vaccines, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is still reporting over 100 current coronavirus outbreaks involving one or more cases in the past 28 days in Cook County long-term care facilities. The COVID-19 outbreaks include both residents and staff. This IDPH data is current as of June 18, 2021. All Illinois long-term care facilities are to report confirmed COVID-19 cases to local health departments and provide the most up-to-date data; h ..read more

Chicago North Side Nursing Home Facing Heavy Accusations of Neglect and Abuse News reports and interviews with a former Foster Health and Rehabilitation employee reveal just how terrible conditions and resident treatment are at the North Side nursing home. Just days before, reports and a shocking video of abuse shook residents and family members after a 69-year-old man was found neglected and injured at the nursing home, located at 840 W. Foster Avenue in Chicago. The former employee, Annette Zegarra, recently worked as an office manager for Foster Health and Rehabilitation Center ..read more

Freeport Nursing Home Man’s Death Certificate Now Reads ‘Gross Negligence’ A nursing home in Freeport, Illinois, Pearl Pavilion, is facing a lawsuit after the family of one deceased resident says the facility is responsible for the 56-year-old man’s untimely death. The family of Keith Printz, who was being provided care at the home located at 900 Kiwanis Drive, says staff failed to provide him life-saving medication. According to a lawsuit filed by Levin & Perconti on behalf of Printz’s family: In October 2019, Printz was sent to the long-term care facility for rehabilitation ..read more

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Join Levin & Perconti by Going Purple Today, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Illinois, more than 230,000 are battling the disease. When someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, they will require more care, patience, and support as they grow older. The emotional burden and financial costs are overwhelming on those diagnosed, their caregivers, long-term care workers, and even the nation’s health care system. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that in 2021, Alzheimer’s and other dementias ..read more

Nursing Home Residents Require Additional Rehabilitative Care After Suffering from a Stroke If someone living in a nursing home has a stroke, they should be treated in an inpatient rehabilitation facility rather than remain in the nursing home. The resident may need intensive, multidisciplinary treatment, and initial rehabilitation should take place in a facility equipped with the appropriate care staff. Advanced specialty care is especially needed if negligent nursing home workers missed the early signs of stroke in a resident, causing a delay in treatment. The National Institute ..read more

After A Disastrous 2020, Please Make Time to Recognize Older Adult Communities People age 65 and older represent around 16% of the population but are expected to grow to be 21.6% of the population by 2040. And in each community, these older adults will remain a key source of importance – even when they become vulnerable and rely on others for their daily activities and care. In the past year, we’ve seen this time and again in aging communities across Chicago and throughout Illinois as friends, neighbors, and families have found new ways to support each other. Through these experien ..read more

With More Nursing Home Residents Vaccinated Against Coronavirus, Summer Season Calls Greater Attention to Wandering Risk As Illinois continues to open up and more of the state’s population becomes vaccinated from COVID-19, including those over 65 living in skilled nursing facilities, it is expected that many individuals will want to spend time outdoors to help increase both activity and their mood. With that excitement should be a reminder that Chicago will also have its regular summer heatwaves and hot days – making outside temperatures dangerous for some. For the elderly who travel outdoor ..read more

Nursing Home Workers Should Report Social Media Posts That Violate Residents’ Rights Nursing home employees are crucial in helping identify violators of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act, including the reporting of other workers who choose to document and publish these unforgiveable acts on popular social media platforms. If you are aware of any harassing video, photo, story, or mention of resident abuse, invasion of resident privacy, or proof of neglect posted to a social networking site such as TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, or through a message, group text, or in an ..read more