Alden Estates of Barrington Violations & Ratings

Located in the Chicago suburb of Barrington, Alden Estates is a large for-profit nursing home offering short-term and long-term care for individuals who cannot safely receive quality care in a home setting. 

Despite claiming to offer luxurious accommodations and indulgent amenities, Alden Estates of Barrington has a long history of safety violations, including federal penalties.

If you or a family member have experienced neglect or abuse in nursing homes, it’s essential to report your concerns as soon as possible. This will ensure that facilities are held accountable and residents are protected from abuse. Contact our Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers for a free consultation to be informed of your legal rights and explore your options for compensation.

Quick Overview

• Facility Name: Alden Estates of Barrington
• Address: 1420 South Barrington Road, Barrington, IL 60010
• CMS Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
• CMS Health Inspection Rating: 3 out of 5 stars 
• CMS Staffing Rating: 2 out of 5 stars 
• CMS Quality Measures Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 
• Federal Fines in Last 3 Years: 2 fines totaling $39,003
• Payment Denials by Medicare in Last 3 Years: 1 denial
• Total Bed Capacity: 150 beds
• Ownership Type: For-Profit Corporation [1]

Facility Overview

Alden Estates of Barrington provides 24-hour skilled nursing assistance to individuals, including post-hospitalization rehabilitation. It is not associated with a hospital or retirement community, though it is within a few miles of several hospitals. 

Though this nursing home claims to offer an attractive array of amenities, it has faced scrutiny from regulatory agencies. The Alden Estates brand has been the subject of lawsuits due to intentional understaffing, which was meant to save money. Despite these cost-saving maneuvers, the nursing home is significantly more expensive than nearby facilities. 

CMS Ratings and Performance

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) provides ratings for all nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities that accept these forms of insurance. They are rated on a 5-star scale: 5 stars mean exceptional care for residents and families, while 1 star means significant issues and a lack of safety.

Alden Estates of Barrington has a 3-star overall rating, an average overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, and a rating of 3 out of 5 stars, while staffing is 2 out of 5 stars, which is below average. For quality measures, the facility received 4 stars. [1]

In the past three years, it has received two federal fines totaling $39,003. The Illinois Department of Health has also received multiple complaints about staff putting patients in danger, including one incident in 2022 in which a resident fell and fractured both femurs. 

Services Provided

This nursing home claims to provide a holistic approach, including amenities like an ice cream parlor, barber salon, aviary, and chef-prepared meals. Treatment available includes:

• Cardiac care 
• Occupational, speech, and physical therapy
• Medication management
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Stroke care
• Bariatric treatment

Reviews of this nursing home are very mixed. One resident stated that a staff member told him that they did not care about his pain, and another stated that her elderly mother’s food was barely edible. Some noted that the nursing home was unsanitary and pain medication was not dispensed on time.

However, others stated that they had a wonderful experience and that they and their loved one were treated with respect throughout their stay. They also noted that any problems related to their family member were quickly addressed. 

Violations and Citations

ProPublica lists 26 deficiencies, including 2 infection-related deficiencies, that have been recorded at this nursing home since 2021. These include the following.

Quality of Life Deficiency: In August 2023, the nursing home was fined $18,395 for several violations related to neglect. This included one patient sustaining an unwitnessed fall and another suffering from a fractured humerus. Nurses could not explain how this fracture happened and insisted that it was likely a result of the resident’s comorbidities.

Abuse: In January 2023, a nursing home resident accused a nurse of hitting her, while another resident complained that a former roommate entered his room in the late hours of the night and slapped him. The nursing home didn’t investigate the incidents, nor did staff create plans to ensure the safety of these patients. It was evident that they did not have adequate plans in place to prevent abuse, neglect, theft, or other resident issues.

Medication Management: An August 2023 report noted that the nursing home failed to throw away expired medications, including eye drops.

Poor Nutrition: During a September 2022 visit to the nursing home, inspectors found that the staff failed to consider each resident’s preferences, including food temperatures. Expired food was found in the kitchen; one resident stated that she wasn’t given anything to eat when she requested snacks outside of regular mealtimes.

Falls: Despite the nursing home insisting that it boasts procedures to keep residents safe, the facility was fined $20,608 and received a payment denial when a resident fell from the bed and fractured both her legs in April 2022. 

Impact on Residents

Facilities that fail to ensure a safe and secure environment can lead to individuals developing significant health problems. More than one resident has suffered bone fractures or pressure ulcers while residing at this facility, which can cause premature mortality and health complications.

Additionally, a lack of safety measures can result in individuals feeling unsafe. Failing to consider food preferences may mean individuals refuse to eat, causing malnutrition or other complications. 

Legal Rights and Actions

Families must stay active in caring for any family member in nursing homes or neglected. Contact the Illinois Department of Health as soon as possible to complain.

A lawsuit can hold facilities accountable for their failures and provide essential monetary compensation. Contact us for a free consultation about your legal options against a neglectful or abusive nursing home. 

[1] Medicare