Injuries and Abuse in Illinois Rehabilitation Centers

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Rehabilitation centers are short-term facilities where people go to recover after an injury, surgery, or serious illness. The purpose of these medical care centers is to help patients regain their strength, mobility, and independence before returning home. Patients may stay for a few days or several weeks or months, depending on their condition and how much care they need. They are often attached to or a part of traditional nursing homes, although some are stand alone facilities.

Rehab centers often provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, and skilled nursing care. Staff members are responsible for helping patients with exercises, medications, personal care, and daily activities like eating, bathing, and using the restroom. Patients and their families trust these facilities to offer safe, professional, and compassionate care.

Unfortunately, not all rehabilitation centers live up to that responsibility. Patients in rehab centers are often susceptible to mistreatment—they may be recovering from surgery, dealing with pain, or struggling with mobility. Some are on medication that leaves them with brain fog. Some are older adults with memory problems or confusion. Because of these challenges, patients may be unable to protect themselves or report abuse.

Neglect and abuse that happens in rehab centers is often by the very people who are being paid to provide care. Neglect occurs when staff fail to give the care that patients need. This might mean ignoring a patient who needs help walking, delaying medical attention, or not changing bed linens or clothing. It could be accidental like dropping a patient causing them to break a hip or other bone. Abuse is more serious and intentional. It can include physical abuse (hitting, slapping, rough handling), sexual abuse, or financial exploitation (stealing from the patient).

Sometimes the abuse is one patient going after another. This is often sexual abuse or bullying that results in physical violence. The staff has a duty to monitor all of the residents and protect you if another resident is a problem.

Signs of neglect or abuse in rehabilitation centers may include bedsores (also called pressure ulcers) and injuries such as bruises, cuts, or broken bones. Dehydration, malnutrition, and poor hygiene are additional physical signs, as are medication errors or being overly medicated. Emotional signs of abuse may take the form of withdrawal, fear, or anxiety. Medication errors or being overly medicated are further examples.