Elder Law

Chicago Tribune Report on Sexual Abuse in Chicago Nursing Homes

By Levin & Perconti

As Chicago nursing home attorneys, we have represented hundreds of victims of nursing home abuse and neglect and witnessed many instances of sexual abuse in Illinois nursing homes. Today, the Chicago Tribune reports on their latest investigation into poor care in Chicago nursing home, focusing on sexual assault and abuse in nursing homes throughout the city.

Citing incidents at such nursing homes as Rainbow Beach Care Center and All Faith Pavilion on the South Side, and Sheridan Shores Care & Rehabilitation Center, Warren Park Health & Living Center and Somerset Place on the North Side, the investigation reveals the epidemic of sexual violence, along with the fact that little is being done to stop it. According to the Tribune?s investigation, 86 cases were investigated, but only one arrest was made.

Throughout Chicago, nursing home owners, such as Eric Rothner (who has ownership in Rainbow Beach, Sheridan Shores and Somerset Place), operate their homes at below-average staffing levels. This creates an environment where even the most well-intentioned direct care staff cannot deliver the proper care and attention that the residents need and deserve. In addition to low staffing levels, Chicago nursing homes often mix populations of elderly residents with younger, mentally-ill residents. Sometimes, these psychiatric residents have histories of violent crime. This creates an unsafe environment for more vulnerable residents, because nursing homes do not have the staff to properly monitor psychiatric residents.

To read the Tribune?s entire report on their investigation into sexual abuse in Chicago nursing homes, follow the link.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on January 27, 2010 (boomark / email).