Assisted living facilities are found throughout the United States and are designed to care for elderly residents with medical needs. Nursing home residents have a right to access quality care in a safe environment, but many facilities and staff members fall short of professional standards, putting these patients at risk.
In this article, we will examine some of the worst nursing homes in Champaign and the surrounding area. We will also discuss some options for addressing underperforming assisted living facilities.
How Champaign, Illinois Nursing Homes Can Be Evaluated
There are several ways to evaluate a Champaign County nursing home. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the primary federal regulator of these facilities, offers several resources for evaluating nursing care centers. The Illinois Department of Public Health is also a useful resource.
Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare Website
The nursing home comparison tool should be one of your first resources when looking up individual facilities. On this page, you can research nursing home ratings, past health inspections, and violations. This will give you valuable insight into the quality of a specific health care center.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Star Rating System
The CMS created a five-star rating system for all eligible care facilities in the United States. Each rehab facility receives an overall score based on ratings for health inspections, staffing, and quality measures.
The senior living center mentioned in this article has a one-star overall rating (please note that ratings are subject to change).
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Nursing Home Information
If an Illinois-based facility has a history of violations, it is probably a poor location for your loved one. Fortunately, you can look up quarterly reports for nursing home violations in Champaign County and beyond on the Illinois Department of Public Health (DPH) website. You can also file an official complaint against a facility on this site.
Special Focus Facilities and Candidates
CMS has included some problematic care centers in its Special Focus Facility program. Inclusion on this list flags a nursing home for repeated violations. Nursing homes that are being considered for this program are placed on the SFF Candidate list.
Champaign’s Lowest-Rated Nursing Home
The Haven of Meadowbrook – This health care center may be considered one of the worst skilled nursing facilities in the state. Not only does it have a one-star overall score from CMS, but its best rating in any other category is just two stars.
This nursing home is a Special Focus Facility candidate due to its long history of violations and deficiencies. In the last three years, The Haven of Meadowbrook has been fined four times for a total of $454,339, making it one of the most fined facilities in the region. Additionally, there have been three Medicare payment denials during that time.
A standard inspection report, conducted in May 2024, uncovered 33 health citations, which far exceeded the national average of 9.6. In the last three years, 34 complaints have been levied against the rehabilitation center by residents and family members, which have led to health citations.
Let’s look at some specific deficiencies mentioned in the last few years for this Champaign County nursing home:
- A failure to have a registered nurse on duty for eight hours a day
- A failure to provide sufficient support staff to serve food according to professional standards
- A failure to procure food from approved sources;
- A failure to provide and implement an infection prevention and control plan;
- A failure to protect each resident from all types of abuse;
- A failure to develop policies to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft;
- A failure to provide enough food and fluids to maintain a patient’s health;
- A failure to maintain a sufficient Quality Assessment and Assurance group;
- A failure to ensure the nursing home area is free of accident hazards;
- A failure to employ staff who are licensed, certified, or registered according to state laws;
- A failure to provide appropriate pressure ulcer care;
- A failure to ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors;
- A failure to provide appropriate treatment according to the resident’s care plan and preferences;
- A failure to ensure each resident is free from the use of restraints unless medically necessary.
Signs of Nursing or Rehab Care Home Abuse and Neglect in Champaign
Nursing home abuse and neglect are more common than you might think, especially within the lowest-rated facilities in Illinois. If you have family members in the worst nursing homes in the state, you can watch for the signs of abuse to help protect them from mistreatment. Here are some of the most common signs of abuse and neglect:
- Physical abuse – Bruises, fractures, unexplained injuries
- Neglect – Malnutrition, dehydration, pressure ulcers, poor hygiene
- Emotional abuse – Withdrawal, fear, agitation, behavioral changes
- Financial exploitation – Missing possessions, financial document changes, unauthorized purchases
- Sexual abuse – Unexplained STDs, pain, bleeding
Steps to Take if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect in a Champaign Nursing Home
If you believe your loved one is suffering in a rehab center, you must take action quickly. First, document your concerns with notes, photos, and videos. Report your suspicions to the administrative staff at the patient care center.
Contact the long-term care ombudsman program in Illinois to speak to an advocate for Illinois residents in nursing homes. If no solution has been found, you can file an official complaint with the Illinois DPH.
Lastly, if you have no other options to rectify the situation, you can pursue a lawsuit with the help of an experienced lawyer. With a lawsuit, you can hold the medical care facility accountable for abuse or neglect and seek compensation for legal damages.
Filing a Lawsuit for Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect in Champaign
A lawsuit can be a complex process, which is why you should always consult a Champaign personal injury lawyer first before pursuing a claim. You should hire an attorney to investigate the claim, gather evidence, determine liability, file the complaint, negotiate a settlement, and represent you in court if necessary.
A successful lawsuit can result in a settlement for yourself or your loved one and the nursing home committing to better care standards.
What Are the Most Common Forms of Nursing Home Neglect in Champaign?
Abuse or neglect in a nursing and rehab center can take many forms. Some facilities fail to implement infection control plans, resulting in many residents spreading diseases. Many nursing homes that are understaffed face challenges in meeting the care needs of all patients.
Medication errors and mismanagement can put patients in harm’s way. Negligent staff members may fail to assist patients with hydration, nutrition, daily living activities, and proper wound care. Some patients develop pressure ulcers if they are not moved enough.
These are all examples of nursing home neglect and abuse.
Statute of Limitations for Nursing Home Abuse Claims in Champaign
Victims of mistreatment in a nursing and rehab center only have two years from the date of discovery to file their nursing home abuse claims. If you wait until after these two years, you may not have a chance to seek compensation for legal damages.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Nursing Home Neglect Case?
Residents in nursing homes who suffer abuse can pursue certain legal damages with lawsuits. Economic damages could include lost income, medical expenses, therapy bills, and future medical costs. Non-economic losses may consist of emotional distress, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Contact a Champaign Nursing Home Attorney for a Free Consultation
The Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers team knows what it takes to win your nursing home abuse or neglect case. Our law firm will help you build a strong case to increase your chances of obtaining compensation for your suffering.
Whether you are the victim of abuse or your loved one is facing a challenging situation in one of the worst nursing homes in Champaign, IL, an experienced lawyer is ready to assist with your claim.
Call us today at 888-424-5757 or complete our online form to request a free consultation with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers.