Alden Town Manor

Nursing home abuse and neglect are serious problems in the United States. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) defines elder abuse as "a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, by a caregiver or another person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult."

There are many types of elder abuse, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect. Nursing home abuse can occur when staff members or caregivers mistreat residents or when residents are neglected by staff.

Do you suspect your loved one is the victim of neglect or abuse while residing at Alden Town Manor? The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC can help stop the mistreatment using civil tort law.

Contact our Illinois nursing home abuse lawyers at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Alden Town Manor Nursing Facility

This facility is a 249-certified bed Medicare and Medicaid-approved for-profit nursing facility (not a continuing care retirement community) providing care and services to Cook County residents. Alden Town Manor Rehabilitation Center is located at:

6120 Ogden Ave
Cicero, IL 60804
(708) 863-0500
Website: https://www.aldentownmanor.com/

Alden Town Manor Rehabilitation Center provides services, care, and amenities, including:

• Personalized Therapy Options
• Orthopedic Rehabilitation
• State-of-The-Art Therapy Room
• Neuro Stroke Rehabilitation
• On-Site Dialysis
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Individualized Plan of Care
• Short-Term Rehabilitation
• Skilled Nursing Care
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-Site Hair/Nail Salon
• Assistance With Activities of Daily Living
• Senior Care Living Options

Alden Town Manor Rehabilitation Center Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns

Through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal government routinely updates data on professional standards and alleged violations at all nursing facilities in the United States receiving Medicare funding; it includes Alden Town Manor Health Care Center.

Many families use the Medicare and Medicaid services information to choose the ideal location for senior care when placing a loved one in a nursing home. Any lack of adequate supervision, care, service, and assistance at Alden Town Manor could lead to a major injury resulting in severe trauma or death.

Alden Town Manor Rehabilitation Center currently maintains two out of five stars in the Medicare rating system. The ranking includes:

• Two out of five stars for health inspections
• One out of five stars for staffing issues
• Five out of five stars for quality measures

The Cook County personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC have reviewed numerous health inspections, surveys, and investigations concerning Alden Town Manor Rehabilitation Center and found serious health concerns. including:

Failure to Provide Appropriate Pressure Ulcer Care and Prevent New Ulcers from Developing – Deficiency #F0686

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated May 25, 2022, the state inspectors determined that Alden Town Manor Health Care Center failed to "prevent a resident from acquiring a pressure ulcer by not having effective interventions and monitoring in place to keep a previously healed wound from reopening."

At 10:30 AM on May 22, 2022, the state investigator observed a certified nursing assistant providing care to a resident with "an open wound with no dressing in place, located on the sacral area was surrounding redness."

The Wound Coordinator stated that they had been informed that the resident with a prior stage IV pressure ulcer in the same area back in December 2021 showed a new indentation where the wound had healed, indicating the wound was reopening.

Failure to Ensure the Nursing Home Areas Free from Accident Hazards and Provides Adequate Supervision to Prevent Accidents – Deficiency #F0689

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated March 17, 2022, the state inspectors determined that Alden Town Manor Rehab Health Care Center failed to "implement the 15-minute monitoring on a resident with the behavior of trying to leave the facility without permission. The sufficiency affects one resident review for accidents and adequate supervision."

Investigators determined that the Alden Town Manor Rehab nursing staff's failures led to a resident "exiting and eloping the facility." The resident "was found in the hospital emergency room and sustained a bruise to the right knee with soreness."

For days, the resident had been observed attempting to leave the facility with a backpack "to go to school."

Nursing Home Failed to Provide an Escort for a Resident in a Wheelchair, Attending an Outside Appointment

In a separate summary statement of deficiencies dated December 30, 2021, the state inspectors determined that Alden Town Manor Rehab Health Care Center failed to "provide an escort for a resident diagnosed with medical conditions affecting the right dominant side and weakness during an outside doctor's appointment."

The resident diagnosed with cerebral infarction had abnormalities of gait and mobility, unsteadiness on feet, and a cognitive communication deficit and weakness."

Due to miscommunication, the Alden Town Manor Rehab resident went to the appointment without an escort while in his wheelchair. The patient requires assistance with the wheelchair and can get lost, admitting that he is not entirely independent.

Failure to Protect Each Resident from All Types of Abuse Such as Physical, Mental, Sexual Abuse, Physical Punishment, and Neglect by Anybody – Deficiency #F0600

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated January 11, 2022, the state inspectors determined that Alden Town Manor Rehab Health Care Center failed to "prevent a resident with severe cognitive impairment from being hit in the back by a resident with a wet floor sign. This failure affected one resident."

In this incident, the Alden Town Manor Rehab residents resided in the Memory Unit.

An interview with the MDS Nurse/interim Director of Nursing revealed that both cognitively impaired residents live in the memory unit and are at risk for abuse. One Alden Town Manor Rehab resident is very territorial and yells whenever anyone is sitting in his chair, attempting to intimidate them to move.

Failure to Provide and Implement an Infection Prevention and Control Program – Deficiency #F0880

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated January 22, 2021, the State investigators determined that Alden Town Manor Rehabilitation Health Care Center failed to ensure that nursing staff "followed the facility's Covid-19 policy and protocol regarding quarantining a resident with potential exposure to Covid-19."

Investigators also stated that Alden Town Manor Rehab "failed to ensure that nursing staff maintains a distance of six feet apart between residents during activities." The nurses' deficiencies affected 16 residents reviewed for infection control.

Why the Health Care Center Must Implement Policies to Prevent Pressure Ulcers

Pressure ulcers (bedsores, pressure sores, pressure wounds, decubitus ulcers) are a serious problem for nursing home patients and occur when sustained pressure on the skin cuts off blood flow to the area, causing the skin to break down. Pressure ulcers can be extremely painful and lead to infection. In some cases, they can even be fatal.

Unfortunately, many nursing facilities do not have bedsore policies in place. As a result, their residents are at risk of developing pressure ulcers.

Pressure Ulcers Are Preventable

Nearly all pressure sores are preventable and can be avoided with proper care. Nursing care facilities are fully informed and have many options to prevent pressure ulcers, including:

• Ensure that their residents are turned and repositioned regularly to help avoid sustained pressure on any one area of the body
• Utilize special mattresses and cushions that help distribute the resident's weight evenly and reduce pressure points.
• Keep the resident's skin clean and moisturized.
• Provide adequate nutrition and hydration.

Policies Must Be Implemented and Followed

Many nursing facilities may fail to properly implement and follow pressure ulcer prevention policies due to insufficient nursing staff on duty. Understaffing can lead to residents not being turned or repositioned as often as they should be or not receiving other care necessary for preventing pressure ulcers.

The available staff members may not receive proper training on implementing those policies correctly, which could lead to errors that put residents at risk of developing pressure ulcers.

Following Nursing Home Safety Protocols to Prevent Abuse Saves Lives

Thousands of elderly people are injured or killed yearly due to abuse or neglect. One in 10 nursing home residents will experience some form of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse this year.

Neglect is also a major problem in nursing facilities. Approximately one in four residents will suffer from neglect, which can often lead to serious injury or death. Neglect occurs when employees fail to follow safety protocols or proper procedures.

Preventing Nursing Home Abuse

The best way to prevent nursing home abuse is to be proactive. If you have an elderly family member living in a nursing home, there are steps you can take to help ensure their safety. First and foremost, it's important to visit them frequently and pay attention to any changes in their behavior or appearance.

Don't hesitate to ask questions and investigate further if you notice anything unusual.

The common indicators of nursing home abuse and neglect include:

• Failing to provide the appropriate treatment: Every licensed nurse providing care must respond appropriately to any resident's preferences and needs to ensure their comfort and safety. It includes following doctor's orders and ensuring that residents are not over-medicated.
• Allowing residents to suffer from dehydration: Dehydration can be fatal for nursing home residents, yet it is often caused by neglectful staff who do not ensure that residents drink enough fluids.
• Allowing residents to suffer from malnutrition: Malnutrition is also a serious issue in nursing homes, and it often stems from a lack of attention from caregivers. Residents may not receive enough food or the right types of food, which can lead to health problems.
• Failing to turn or reposition residents: Is one of the most common types of neglect in nursing homes, as it can lead to bedsores and other health problems. Staff should turn the residents every two hours to avoid these issues.
• Not providing necessary personal care: Personal care includes help with activities like bathing, dressing, and using the toilet. When this care is not provided, it can cause immense frustration and humiliation for residents.
• Not providing necessary medical care: Oftentimes, nursing home staff are not properly trained to administer medical care, which can lead to serious health complications for residents. It includes failing to give medication on time or in the correct dosage.
• Allowing resident injuries to go untreated: Nursing home staff should be constantly monitoring residents for injuries, yet often they are left untreated due to negligence or a lack of resources. It can result in serious infection or even death.
• Furniture and bed rails being used as restraints: In some cases, nursing home staff will use furniture or bed rails as restraints instead of using proper restraint devices like handcuffs or vests. It is dangerous and can cause severe injury to residents.
• Physical abuse by staff or other residents: Physical abuse can take many forms, such as hitting, slapping, pinching, or pulling hair. It can be extremely traumatizing for residents and often leads to psychological damage.
• Sexual abuse by staff or other residents: Sexual abuse is perhaps the most heinous form of abuse in nursing homes, and it often goes unreported due to fear or embarrassment on the part of the victim. This type of abuse can have long-term consequences for victims' mental health.
• Financial exploitation by family members or caregivers: Family members or caregivers sometimes take advantage of elderly residents by stealing their money or possessions. This type of exploitation can be very damaging emotionally and financially for victims.
• Abandonment by family members or caregivers: When family members or caregivers leave nursing home residents stranded without any notice, it can be extremely traumatic for them mentally and emotionally

It's also important to stay involved in your loved one's care. Be sure to attend care conferences and regularly meet with their Alden Town Manor Rehabilitation nurse and doctor. You will better understand your loved one's health and condition and it will allow you to catch any potential red flags early on.

Finally, ensure your beloved family member knows they can come to you with any concerns. Many times, victims of abuse are too scared or embarrassed to speak up. Reassure your loved ones that they can trust you and that you will do everything in your power to keep them safe and protect his or her rights.

The Importance of an Infection Prevention and Control Program in a Nursing Home

Nursing homes are places where people go to receive care and treatment. Unfortunately, nursing homes have been linked to many outbreaks in recent years.

One of the most common ways to spread diseases and infections in nursing homes is through contact with contaminated surfaces. Cross-contamination can happen when staff members do not properly clean or disinfect surfaces or when residents touch contaminated surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Infection prevention and control programs are designed to help reduce the spread of infections by teaching staff members how to properly clean and disinfect surfaces and ensuring that residents know the importance of good hygiene.

What Is an Infection Prevention and Control Program?

An infection prevention and control program is a set of policies and procedures designed to help reduce the spread of infections in healthcare settings. The program should be tailored to the facility's specific needs, considering the types of infections that are most likely to occur in every nursing home area.

The program should also be reviewed and updated regularly as new information about infections and how they spread becomes available. Furthermore, all staff members should be trained on the program so that they know how to properly implement it to provide appropriate treatment to the residents affected.

Every licensed nurse and nurses' aide trained on proper cleaning and disinfecting techniques reduces the chances that surfaces will become contaminated with infectious diseases. In addition, when residents are made aware of the importance of good hygiene, they are less likely to touch their faces or contaminate their hands with bacteria or viruses.

Hire Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys to Hold the Facility Accountable

Do you suspect your loved one was abused or neglected while residing at Alden Town Manor Rehab Health Care Center or another Illinois long-term care facility? The nursing home abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC can help.

Talk to our Chicago, IL law firm at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Our personal injury attorneys accept all nursing home abuse cases and wrongful death lawsuits on a contingency fee agreement. This arrangement ensures you will pay no upfront fees until your legal team obtains financial recovery through a negotiated settlement or jury award.

Resources:

• NIA – Elder Abuse
• CDC – Nursing Home Abuse