There may come a time when your loved ones can no longer care for you. Your medical needs are too complex, and being at home may become more of a danger than a comfort. When that happens, living in a nursing home may be your best option. You can live in either location if you have family in Los Angeles and Illinois and still be close to your support system.
Below, we’ll discuss the regulations in each state that help govern nursing homes. These impact the standard of care you receive and may help you decide which city you want to live in.
Nursing Home Regulations in Los Angeles and Chicago
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services offer federal regulations that all nursing homes must follow to receive federal funding. States also have their own rules that care facilities must follow. Both are in place to help protect nursing home residents and ensure a high standard of care for the most vulnerable population.
Care Hours
Care hours are the minimum time each resident is required to receive direct medical care daily. Residents in federally-funded homes must receive at least 3.48 hours of care daily, including 0.55 from a registered nurse and 2.45 from a nurse aide. Nursing home residents also receive socialization outside of these care hours so they do not become isolated.
Los Angeles nursing home residents should receive at least 3.5 hours of care daily, with at least 2.4 hours from a certified nursing assistant. The care hours that Chicago nursing home residents receive depend on the type of care they require. If they need skilled care, they will receive 3.8 hours per day. If they only require skilled care, they will receive 2.5 hours.
Neither Los Angeles nor Chicago have regulations on the staffing ratio for nursing homes. The staff must be enough to provide the required care hours per patient. Unfortunately, this can open up nursing homes for cases of abuse and neglect.
With less staff to supervise, vulnerable patients may face physical, sexual, or financial abuse from the nursing home staff and other residents. This can cause devastating consequences, so if you know someone who faced these issues, contact a Los Angeles or Chicago nursing home sexual abuse lawyer. They can help you navigate the next steps and get justice.
Training Requirements
Nursing home administrators and staff members are required to receive regular training and certification to keep their knowledge up to date.
In Los Angeles, nursing home administrators should complete 40 hours of continuing education training every two years. This includes 8 hours of training on Alzheimer’s and dementia care to help them support their most vulnerable patients. Additionally, staff members should be trained in basic skills like housekeeping and sanitation to help maintain the facility.
In Chicago, nursing home managers need to complete 36 hours of continuing education every two years. This curriculum includes a one-hour course on dementia care, which will help keep them up-to-date on the latest advances.
Both cities require continuing education, but Los Angeles nursing home administrators and staff members require slightly more training. This can increase the care its residents receive, especially regarding the latest treatment advances.
Bed Requirements
Nursing homes have limitations on the number of beds they can fit in a single location. These limitations prevent overcrowding, which could reduce care quality.
Los Angeles nursing home bed limitations vary by location. The California Department of Social Services sets a unique maximum capacity based on the facility. All beds must be at least 3 feet away from another bed to the side and 4 feet away by the foot. There should also be a minimum of 3 feet of clearance between walls and other fixed elements to prevent residents from getting trapped between them.
Chicago nursing homes can have a maximum of 75 beds within a single nursing unit. These beds can be within single or double rooms, but at least two of those rooms must have access to a private bathroom. The beds should have at least 3 feet of clearance on all sides of the bed.
Nursing homes in both cities are required to provide beds that are in good repair, including the quality of the bed springs. Chicago nursing homes have slightly better bed requirements. They may offer more clearance in double rooms from all angles and limit the number of beds per unit.
Conclusion
Los Angeles and Chicago nursing homes have similar requirements, so it comes down to your preference, which is right for you. Consider your support system and medical needs. You can also read the reviews and turn to social media and your network for personal testimonies of the care received. The Medicare website can provide official ratings for the facility, including if it has ever been cited for abuse.
Not all nursing homes provide the same care, so it’s critical that you research facilities to help make you and your loved one as comfortable as possible.
