What Impacts Illinois Nursing Home Ratings?
Illinois’ older population continues to grow yearly, with no signs of slowing down. By 2030, the Illinois Department on Aging reports that it will reach more than 3.6 million, or about 25 percent of the total state population.
With an aging population comes an increase in demand for nursing homes. The quality of care received at nursing homes in Illinois is highly variable, and this comprehensive list will review the factors impacting nursing homes in Illinois to help you make an informed decision about your loved one’s care.
Factors Impacting Nursing Homes in Illinois
Illinois currently has more than 1,200 long-term care facilities serving over 100,000 individuals of varying ages. If the facilities review funding from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), they must undergo routine evaluations to verify they meet quality and safety standards. The following are select factors that may impact the care quality in Illinois nursing homes.
1. Location
While location does not factor directly into the CMS rating, trends in care quality impact select geographic locations. Several of the worst nursing homes in Illinois are located in rural locations. Rural populations tend to be older, and there are higher poverty levels. The increased demand for services and lack of funding can impact the quality of care.
According to CMS ratings, urban environments also experience some of the poorest care conditions. These facilities are often located in low-income neighborhoods or suburbs and can disproportionately impact minority communities.
2. Inspections
The CMS inspects Illinois nursing homes to ensure they meet the minimum standards required to continue receiving federal funding. Additionally, the Illinois Department of Health regulates nursing homes to ensure they adhere to state requirements.
Both agencies rate the nursing home on the quality of care, including safety standards, patient care, medication management, emergency preparedness policies, food quality, and more.
The Illinois Department of Health posts quarterly reports of all the nursing home violations on its website. These records go back nearly 10 years to help individuals do their own research and make the right decision for them.
3. Staff
Staff-to-patient ratios and staffing qualifications can significantly affect a nursing home’s rating. Illinois and the CMS have varying requirements for personalized care.
- The CMS requires all patients to receive at least 3.48 hours of care daily, including 0.55 from a registered nurse, 2.45 from nurses’ aids, and 0.48 from additional staff members.
- The Illinois Department of Health differentiates by care requirements. Those requiring skilled care should receive 3.8 hours daily, while residents who only need intermediate care should receive 2.5 hours daily.
However, many nursing homes don’t currently have the staffing to meet these federal and state-required minimums. They have vacancies, including registered nurses and nursing aids, that prevent residents from receiving the care they are entitled to.
Nursing homes can be placed under corrective action until they meet these minimums, including action plans and fines, to help them comply with these regulations. Failure to improve staffing ratios can result in a loss of funding.
4. Resident Surveys
Each year, residents who have spent more than 100 days in a nursing home are surveyed. They are asked to provide feedback on their care, facilities, programming, safety procedures, staff, and more.
Their input influences a nursing home’s rating as they experience the conditions daily. This helps the CMS determine if the facility is adhering to federal and state regulations from the patient’s perspective. If not, they can determine gaps in care and further investigate.
5. Complaints
Abuse and neglect can happen in nursing homes, especially if they are understaffed. Residents and their loved ones can file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Health regarding their quality of care.
The Department of Health investigates each complaint and may re-inspect facilities due to the issue. If abuse is found, it is noted publically on the Medicare website directly next to the nursing home listing.
What These Ratings Mean for Care Quality
The senior care conditions within the nursing home are carefully evaluated at federal and state levels and compiled into an overall rating. This official rating is on the Medicare website when people search for care.
Clicking into the nursing home’s record allows individuals to learn more about the specific conditions that impacted the overall rating. Nursing homes are often put on corrective plans, so many of the issues they were cited for could have been resolved.
The best way to see what an Illinois nursing home is like is to visit it. Schedule a tour or drop by unexpectedly. Both visits will provide a comprehensive look at what life is like within the facility.
The worst nursing homes in Illinois will look run down, may have safety hazards, and be unsanitary. Patients may seem unhappy or unattended. These are facilities you’ll want to avoid if you can.
Your loved ones deserve the best care, so be sure to do your research before you select an Illinois nursing home.
