Elder Law

Galesburg Nursing Home Residents Affected By Mold

By Levin & Perconti

On several occasions we have reported on the development at the Illinois nursing home Galesburg Terrace, where black mold was discovered in several parts of the facility. The Illinois Department of Public Health has already notified the facility that they would face sanctions from federal government agencies for the problem.

Now, WQAD is reporting on some resident reactions to the problem, explaining how it has affected the seniors who were forced to live in those conditions. One resident made clear that the mold was not a small problem, as entire walls were covered with by substance.

He said, ?That?s probably why I?ve been coughing and hacking since April, and they can?t seem to get it to stop.?

The mold has caused many residents to live with respiratory problems that won?t go away. Amazingly, the residents who live in the rooms where mold was discovered have not been moved to healthier locations. A son of one resident explained, ?My mother is still in that room and I?m upset [that] my mother hasn?t been taken out of that room.?

Residents are unsure how long they will have to endure the conditions. The only information that was available is that state officials would return for a follow up inspection.

Our Chicago nursing home attorneys remain saddened but unsurprised by the revelations of unsafe conditions at an Illinois nursing home. We have collectively spent decades working with friends and family of nursing home residents who have suffered horrific abuse, negligent care, and unhealthy conditions at their facilities. We know that many facilities in Chicago and surrounding areas have failed to provide the adequate care that residents who live there deserve.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on September 14, 2010 (boomark / email).