Advocating for Quality Medical Care in the Western Suburbs

This month, Eric Parker gave a presentation at the West Suburban Senior Center in Bellwood, Illinois, titled "Advocating for Quality Medical Care" The presentation was part of a series on preventing injuries that arise out of medical malpractice and nursing home neglect. Each year thousands of seniors are injured as a result of preventable medical mistakes. Some of the medical mistakes involve errors by physicians or understaffing by nursing homes. Others involve mistakes by the patient themselves, such as medication errors. The good news is that many of these risks can be reduced by an educated patient and a friend or family member who can advocate for them. The presentation focused on common methods of injury, such as falls, bedsores and medication errors - and things patients can do to improve the care that they receive.

Visit the Stotis and Baird web site at www.stotisandbaird.com to find articles on similar topics including: Recognizing and Responding to Nursing Home Neglect, Ten Tips for Choosing a Good Nursing Home and 7 Things You Can Do to Protect Your Aging Parents. The Elder Law Page is at:http://www.stotis-baird.com/library/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=8&id=24&Itemid=47

Eric Parker will be giving this presentation at a number of locations over the next several months. If you are interested in having him speak to seniors in your area, you can contact him at 312-461-1000 or at eparker@stotis-baird.com

What is the Sustainable Growth Rate and Why Should I Care?

The sustainable growth rate is a method used by the government to (theoretically) limit the growth in costs under the Medicare program. The effects of this little understood measure has big implications for seniors on Medicare and their physicians. For a great article on the topic, check out: http://www.thechicagobridge.org/medicare-beneficiaries-between-a-rock-and-a-sgr/

One Star for 2012 - Nursing Homes that Received Medicare's Lowest Rating

The Center for Medicare and Medcaid Services (CMS) maintains a web site called "Nursing Home Compare" that provides information about quality ratings at nursing homes throughout the country. While the ratings are not perfect, a very good or very poor rating is something to consider when choosing a nursing home. In a subsequent post, we will list the nursing homes in Cook County, Illinois that received the highest rating (5 stars). For today, we are posting a list of those that received the lowest rating (1 star). According to CMS a one star rating means "Much Below Average."

One Star Rated Nursing Homes for Cook County, Illinois 2012:

• Alden Lincoln Rehab and Health Care Center, Chicago, Illinois
• Alden Princeton Rehab and HCC, Chicago, Illinois
• Alden Town Manor, Cicero, Illinois
• All Faith Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois
• Ambassador Nursing & Rehab Center, Chicago, Illinois
• Applewood Rehabilitation Center, Matteson, Illinois
• Avenue Care Nursing & Rehab Center, Chicago, Illinois
• Bellhaven Nursing & Rehab Center, Chicago, Illinois
• Berkeley, Nursing & Rehab Center, Oak Park, Illinois
• Berkshire Nursing & Rehab Center, Forest Park, Illinois
• Bridgeview Health Care Ctr, Bridgeview, Illinois
• Brightview Care Center, Chicago, Illinois
• Bronzeville Park Nursing & Lvg Ctr, Chicago, Illinois
• California Gardens Nursing & Rehab Ctr., Chicago, Illinois
• Central Nursing & Rehab Ctr., Chicago, Illinois
• Columbus Park Nursing & Rehab Ctr. Chicago, Illinois
• Crestwood Care Centre, Crestwood, Illinois
• Elston Nursing & Rehab Ctr, Chicago, Illinois
• Evergreen Health Care Ctr, Evergreen Park, Illinois
• Exceptional Care, LLC, Burbank, Illinois
• Glen Bridge Nursing & Rehab Ctr, Niles, Illinois
• Glenshire Nursing & Rehab, Richton Park, Illinois
• Glenwood Healthcare & Rehab, Glenwood, Illinois
• Jackson Square Nursing & Rehab Ctr., Chicago, Illinois
• Lake Cook Terrace Nursing Ctr, Northbrook, Illinois
• Lakeview Rehab & Nursing Ctr., Chicago, Illinois
• Lexington of Orland Park, Orland Park, Illinois
• Manorcare of Oak Lawn West, Oak Lawn, Illinois
• Manorcare of Rolling Meadows, Rolling Meadows, Illinois
• McAllister Nursing & Rehab, Tinley Park, Illinois
• Meadowbrook Manor - LaGrange, LaGrange, Illinois
• Midway Neurological / Rehab Center, Chicago, Illinois
• Niles Nursing & Rehab Ctr, Niles, Illinois
• Oak Lawn Repiratory & Rehab, Oak Lawn, Illinois
• Oak Park Healthcare Center, Oak Park, Illinois
• Oakton Pavillion, Des Plaines, Illinois
• Park House Nursing & Rehab Ctr., Chicago, Illinois
• Plaza Nursing & Rehab Ctr., Midlothian, Illinois
• Providence Palos Heights, Palos Heights, Illinois
• Providence South Holland, South Holland, Illinois
• Renaissance at 87th Street, Chicago, Illinois
• Renaissance at Hillside, Hillside, Illinois
• Renaissance at Midway, Chicago, Illinois
• Renaissance Park South, Chicago, Illinois
• South Suburban Rehab Ctr., Homewood, Illinois
• Southpoint Nursing & Rehab Ctr., Chicago, Illinois
• Villa at Windsor Park, Chicago, Illinois
• Warren Barr Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois
• Warren Park Health & Living Ctr, Chicago, Illinois
• Windmill Nursing Pavilion, South Holland, Illinois
• Woodbridge Nursing Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois

For more information about area nursing homes and advice for getting quality care - check out the "Library" section of our website at www.stotisandbaird.com

What is Elder Law and Who Needs an Elder Law Attorney?

Many people are unfamiliar with the term "Elder Law." As more lawyers are identifying themselves as practicing elder law, seniors are beginning to ask if they need an elder law attorney. The answer can vary depending on your legal issue. Stotis & Baird attorney Eric Parker recently wrote an article on this topic for the Chicago Bridge Group. You can check out the article at:

http://www.thechicagobridge.org/what-is-elder-law-and-who-needs-an-elder-law-attorney/

Tips on Long Distance Caregiving

As it has become more and more common for families to live in different cities, it has also become more and more complicated to care for aging relatives. As much as we might like to be there for every need, it is simply not possible. Even if your job allowed you to take unlimited time off to attend medical tests and pick up medical prescriptions - many of the needs come up with short notice (or no notice). Charlotte Bishop is a geriatric care manager, who writes a blog on senior issues. She recently wrote a great article on this topic. You can view it at:

http://www.creativecasemanagement.com/Blog/EntryId/83/Four-Tips-for-Making-Long-Distance-Caregiving-Work.aspx

For articles on other topics related to caring for seniors - check out the Elder Law page on our web site.