Worst Nursing Homes in Illinois

When it comes to choosing the right nursing home for your loved one, skilled care and safety are likely among your top criteria. Easy access to healthcare resources and expertise are also important considerations. Yet, many nursing homes fail to provide our loved ones with the care they need and deserve.

This guide covers information related to Illinois nursing home and health care center ratings, including what factors are considered and how you can use these ratings to keep your loved one safe. We’ll also provide you with a list of the worst nursing homes in Illinois based on failed government inspections and citations.

How Nursing Center Homes Are Rated

The federal and state governments regulate nursing homes in the United States. At the federal level, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is responsible for setting and monitoring care standards through regular inspections. Facilities must meet certain guidelines to maintain a good rating with the CMS.

State-wise, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is in charge of nursing home licensing, inspections, certifications, and complaints. The department regularly publishes care center violations, providing Illinois residents with transparency into various healthcare facilities, including nursing homes.

Government Inspections Through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Each year, the CMS inspects the country’s nursing homes. These inspections review various factors and determine how well a nursing home adheres to federal and state regulations. A healthcare center inspection may review the facility’s quality of resident care, medication policies, building safety, and emergency preparedness.

Failing different inspection categories can lead to lower ratings or a loss of Medicare or Medicaid funding. Nursing homes or rehab centers that receive low ratings can work toward resolving complaints and improving their scores. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also has a Special Focus Facility (SFF) program. A Special Focus Facility works closely with CMS to improve patient care. As part of the program, the nursing rehab center commits to inspections every six months. A healthcare center in the SFF program also leads to increased oversight and greater survey frequency.

A nursing rehab center cannot graduate from the SFF program until they receive multiple inspections without failure.

Resident Surveys

The CMS also uses resident surveys in its ratings to determine the quality of actual patient experiences. Survey responses come from previous nursing home residents who spent at least 100 days in a facility. The surveys aim to determine how well a nursing health care center or rehabilitation center adheres to state and federal regulations.

Other Factors

Other factors contributing to nursing home ratings include health inspection reports and citations. Health inspections look for deficiencies in a nursing rehab center, including nutrition/dietary, resident rights, pharmacy service, and quality of life and care criteria. Nursing and rehab centers are allowed to resolve these citations.

List of the Worst Illinois Nursing Homes

Illinois is known for having some exceptional nursing homes, but they are also home to facilities known for abuse, neglect, and health code violations. Nursing Home Abuse Advocate keeps an accurate record of nursing homes to watch out for, complete with up-to-date information regarding the latest reports. [3]

Illinois nursing homes to avoid include: 

• Arcadia Care, Bloomington, IL
• Gardenview Manor, Danville, IL
• Hillsboro Rehab, Hillsboro, IL
• West Suburban Nursing and Rehab Center, Bloomingdale, IL
• Champaign Urbana Nursing and Rehab, Savoy, IL
• Cityview Multi-care Center, Cicero, IL
• Arcadia Care, Danville, IL
• El Paso Healthcare Center, El Paso, IL

Government Ratings

Here are some of the worst nursing homes in Illinois, according to the CMS: [4]

• Accolade Healthcare of East Peoria/Savoy, East Peoria, and Savoy, IL
• Alden Estates of Naperville, Naperville, IL
• Bria of Chicago Heights, South Chicago Heights, IL
• The Pearl of Elgin, Elgin, IL
• Norridge Gardens, Norridge, IL
• Effingham Rehab & Health Care Center, Effingham, IL
• Freeburg Care Center, Freeburg, IL
• Zahav of Des Plaines, Des Plaines, IL

Each nursing home or health care center on this list received a one-star rating, the lowest rating on the five-star scale. Some of the nursing homes on this list also report abuse citations. Residents’ loved ones can use this comparison tool to learn more about long-term care centers in Illinois.

Health Inspection Citations

Health inspections can also tell a lot about a nursing home or rehab center. Some of the worst nursing homes in Illinois, based on health inspection violations, include the following facilities: [5]

• Washington Senior Living, Washington, IL: This healthcare center has numerous citations, including a failure to protect residents from financial abuse.
• The Grove of Fox Valley, Aurora, IL: This long-term health care center has been the subject of many citations, including those involving physical restraints on residents.
• The Grove of Evanston, Evanston, IL: There have been many citations, including ones involving a failure to implement policies preventing abuse, neglect, or theft.
• Allure of Knox County, Galesburg, IL: This long-term healthcare center has numerous citations related to nursing home abuse and neglect.

It’s always a good idea to review the health inspection reports of any healthcare center you’re considering for a loved one. While citations don’t necessarily mean your loved one will be mistreated, they can indicate that the center doesn’t have policies in place to ensure residents are free from harm.

Illinois Department of Public Health Reports

Reports from the Illinois Department of Public Health can also provide additional insight into Illinois’ worst nursing homes. These nursing homes have received serious violations through the state: [6]

• Accolade Healthcare Danville, Danville, IL: This nursing care center was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine following nursing home neglect.
• Alden Des Plaines Rehab and Health Care, Des Plaines, IL: This nursing home and rehab center paid a $25,000 fine for failing to meet certain quality measures.
• Elevate Care Country Club Hill, Country Club Hills, IL: This nursing center paid multiple violations for failing to meet reporting regulations.
• Deerfield Crossing Northbrook, Northbrook, IL: This rehab center was ordered to pay a fine for understaffing and poor resident care.

Always review the health reports and inspections of any nursing home or healthcare center you’re considering for your loved one. Be sure to review the most recent reports. CMS publishes annual inspections for most nursing homes. 

However, nursing and rehab centers that have received numerous violations may receive even more frequent reporting, with some issuing quarterly reports.

Factors Contributing to Nursing Home Abuse

Many factors contribute to the improper care of elderly residents in Illinois’ nursing homes. The state’s worst nursing homes tend to have at least one of the following problems.

Understaffing

Understaffing contributes to poor quality of care and lower ratings in a nursing rehab center. Nursing home staff are essential in protecting loved ones and ensuring they receive necessary medical care or rehab. When staffing levels don’t appropriately match the number of residents in a nursing facility, there is a greater risk of abuse or injury.

Understaffing in nursing or rehab care can lead to more falls and medication errors. Residents are also more likely to suffer serious injuries, including a head injury, broken hip, or permanent disability.

Inadequate Training

Inadequate training can also contribute to the poor ratings of some of Illinois’ worst nursing homes. Nursing rehab administrators who fail to hire skilled nursing staff or provide ongoing training programs may be considered negligent. 

Depending on their healthcare needs, particular residents also require specialized care. Skilled nursing programs should offer additional quality measures and training opportunities to protect residents better.

Financial Pressures

Financial pressures can lead to a nursing home or rehab center cutting costs, some of which may impact the safety and well-being of residents. Administrators who cut access to healthcare or fail to keep up with facility maintenance can put the residents at risk of injury. Healthcare centers with tight financial budgets tend to have low ratings.

Corporate Ownership

Numerous studies show that corporate-owned nursing homes experience an overall lower quality of care. The Center for Medicare Advocacy reports a significant difference in the quality of care between private-owned and not-for-profit nursing and rehab centers [1]. 

Corporately-owned nursing homes are more likely to cut costs that directly affect resident safety and care to maximize profits. Even larger health center brands with multiple locations that create stringent policies may struggle to maintain consistency among all rehab centers. 

Yet, even with an average of lower care, over 70% of the country’s nursing homes are privately owned [2]. 

Protecting Nursing Home Residents

Family members are often overwhelmed when choosing the best nursing home or rehab center for a loved one. The Nursing Home Law Center has created a list of tips to help you choose the right skilled nursing facility.

Research and Inspection

Research is key to choosing the right nursing home or rehab center for your family member. Various research resources, including CMS reports, health inspections, and state violations, allow families to learn more about Illinois’ worst nursing homes.

An in-person tour also lets families learn more about a potential care center. Schedule a walk-through of the nursing rehab center you’re considering, and pay close attention to the residents and common rooms.

If your loved one requires specialized care, ask about these services as well. Inquire about any available rehab services your family member may need. Other special care services to review include Dementia or memory care.

Ask Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask many questions about your loved one’s care, as it directly affects their overall well-being. Here are a few questions you might ask the nursing home staff or administrators during a tour:

• Who is in charge of each resident’s care plan?
• Has this rehabilitation center ever received any serious complaints?
• What is the current CMS rating of this nursing rehab or health care center?
• What is the staff-to-resident ratio of this healthcare center?
• Who is in charge of implementing new healthcare policies?
• Have there ever been any abuse or neglect complaints at this healthcare center?
• What are the hiring and training policies of this facility?
• Is this nursing home accredited? Certified?
• Are there any current openings?

Make a list of questions you may want to ask a potential nursing home ahead of time. You might also add more questions after touring rehab facilities.

Trust Your Instincts

As with any big decision involving your loved ones, always trust your instincts. Choose a care center you feel confident will provide your loved one with the same quality care you would need.

Contact an Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

A nursing home lawyer can also be valuable as you explore Illinois nursing home facilities. The Nursing Home Law Center is committed to helping Illinois families navigate the nursing home system.

Whether you’re seeking long-term care for your loved one in Chicago, Aurora, Joliet, or Naperville, our legal team is here to help guide you in this important decision.

Call an Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Now!

Sometimes, even the best research isn’t enough to protect nursing home residents. Our law firm is here to help families navigate the difficulties of nursing home abuse or neglect. We fight to serve justice and recover the compensation you and your family need to move on from this challenging situation.

Contact the Nursing Home Law Center today for a free consultation at (800) 926-7565. You can also fill out our online form.

Resources: [1] Center for Medicare Advocacy, [2] Journal of Elder Policy, [3] NHAA, [4] Medicare, [5] ProPublica, [6] IDPH