Comparing Nursing Care in Prescott and Chicago

Nursing homes are intended to provide the best care for elderly residents, supporting them with their basic necessities and allowing them to live long and happy lives. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. 

Nursing home care quality varies from facility to facility and state to state. Each state has its own requirements and regulations that govern its nursing home, and below, we’ll compare Prescott and Chicago to help you understand which city is better for nursing home care.

Factors Influencing Nursing Homes in Prescott and Chicago 

According to the U.S. Office of Inspector General, there are more than 1.2 million residents in nursing homes nationwide. As the population ages and lives longer, that number is expected to grow, including in Prescott and Chicago. As you determine which is better for nursing home care, below are several factors to consider.

1. Care Hours

Nursing homes are required to have medical professionals on-call 24/7; however, that doesn’t mean they are always seeing patients. Instead, each patient is required to have a set number of hours of direct care each day, and the amounts vary by state and city.

The Arizona Department of Health Services requires that nursing home residents receive at least 3.2 hours of direct care daily. The nursing home should also have an RN on duty for at least 8 hours daily and a licensed nurse on duty 24 hours a day. 

The number of hours of care you will receive in Chicago depends on the type of care you need. If you require skilled care, you will get at least 3.8 hours. If you only need intermediate care, you will receive 2.5 hours. Under the Nursing Home Care Act, Illinois also requires a licensed nurse to be on-site at all times and one CNA per 10 residents. 

Depending on the type of care you need, you may receive more care in Chicago; however, the skilled staffing levels are similar should you need medical attention in an emergency.

2. Long Term Care

Value Penguin recently released a report examining the best long-term care. The report explored the cost of care, access to care, and the quality of care received. 

Arizona, including Prescott, ranked first in terms of long-term care. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rated their nursing homes highly on average. After being admitted, residents demonstrated increased independence and reported needing less help than when they were initially admitted. Additionally, they have many nursing home options and pay well. 

Illinois and Chicago nursing homes ranked in the middle. They were not the best, nor were they the worst. Some nursing homes ranked more highly than others, but on average, nursing homes in Chicago provide average long-term care. 

3. Resident Assessments and Care Plans

Nursing homes are required to provide specialized care to each resident. They know their patients’ needs by conducting resident assessments and creating care plans that address them.

Chicago nursing homes should complete an initial assessment within 24 hours of admission. The comprehensive evaluation should be completed within 14 days, and assessments must be conducted after 90 days and every six months after that. 

Prescot nursing homes are also required to conduct a comprehensive evaluation within 14 days of admission. Unless there are significant changes, these assessments are updated annually. 

Both assessments shape the nursing home residents’ care, but Chicago residents receive more evaluations. Their nursing home staff may be able to detect problems sooner because they have to reassess every six months, compared to 12 months in Arizona. 

4. Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse Cases 

Thankfully, both Arizona and Illinois report low numbers of nursing home negligence and abuse cases. According to a study by the American Health Care Association, Florida, Texas, Arkansas, California, and Georgia report the highest number of claims. 

Unfortunately, these cases can happen anywhere. Negligence can occur when patients are given the wrong medicine, experience bed sores, and injure themselves by tripping. If you or your loved one have been hurt by a fall in a nursing home in Chicago, you can contact a Chicago nursing home falls and fractures lawyer to understand your rights. 

If you’re injured in Prescott, seek out a local nursing home attorney for representation. Nursing home residents are vulnerable, and they deserve justice for injuries due to negligence.

Conclusion

Nursing home care in Prescott and Chicago are comparable in many ways, but if you are looking for long-term care, you can’t beat the nursing care you’ll receive in Arizona. The quality is unmatched, and there are many options to choose from. Additionally, the staff are well-compensated, which can impact how they show up to work and care for their patients.

Ultimately, regardless of where you seek care, nursing home negligence and abuse can occur. If you or your loved one are a victim, it’s critical to seek representation to get justice and prevent it from happening to anyone else.