Resources (Lower Standards)

Organizations

AARP
http://www.aarp.org/
A nonprofit, nonpartisan national organization with membership to people 50 and older. Provides an overview of how the nursing home system works and links to descriptions of housing options.

Nursing Home Evaluation Checklist (AARP)
www.aarp.org/family/caregiving/articles/nuringchecklist.html
A tool to help people select a nursing home, including safety, care and quality of life information.

National HealthCare Corporation
http://www.nhccare.com/" class="intlink">
A corporation providing long-term care in 12 states, including skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, home care, and independent and assisted living.

Illinois AARP
http://www.aarp.org/states/il/
Features local resources and information from the national organization.

Advocacy

ICBC – Illinois Citizens for Better Care
http://www.illinoiscares.org/
Advocacy and service organization that helps individual residents, families and resident and family organizations with issues connected to nursing homes. Database provides information about nursing home services, violations and resident experiences.

NCCNHR - National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
http://www.nccnhr.org/
Provides information and leadership on regulations and policies, and includes strategies to improve care for residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

Blogs

Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog by Levin & Perconti
http://blog.levinperconti.com/

Nursing Homes Abuse Blog by Jonathan Rosenfeld
http://www.nursinghomesabuseblog.com/

Legal Advocacy

Levin & Perconti, Attorneys at Law
http://www.levinperconti.com/
A law firm handling personal injury cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect.

Strellis & Field, Chartered
www.strellislaw.com
A lawyer firm representing people, areas of personal injury, medical mistakes and nursing home neglect.

Janna Dutton & Associates - Elder Law
http://www.duttonelderlaw.com/
Firm handles a range of legal issues, including guardianship, death estate administration and matters relating to Medicaid and asset protection planning.

Legal Assistance Foundation – Elder Law
lafchicago.org/
Represents seniors age 60 and over with legal concerns, particularly in regards to consumer fraud, homeownership preservation, elder abuse and Medicare benefits. Focuses on people who cannot afford to pay for legal representation.

Government

City of Chicago
http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/home.do
Senior living in Chicago can call (312) 744-4016 or 311 and ask for legal assistance or for information on other city services.

Cook County Public Guardian
http://www.publicguardian.org/
Provides information about adult guardianship, a public service for adults with disabilities aged 18 or older who have assets of at least $25,000. In most cases, the office serves as the guardian of both the estate and the individual.

Illinois Department of Aging
http://www.state.il.us/aging/
Provides news and state regulatory information to improve quality of life for Illinois seniors. The department works with area agencies on aging, community-based service providers and seniors.

Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman
http://www.state.il.us/aging/1abuselegal/ombuds.htm
An advocacy program for long-term nursing care residents and their families to resolve complaints, provide information and inform individuals of their rights.

Agencies and Organizations Serving Seniors (Illinois)
http://www.state.il.us/aging/1directory/directory-main.htm
A directory of agencies, organizations and support groups serving Illinois seniors and their caregivers.

Nursing Home Compare
http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare
Government sponsored site that features a tool to find and compare nursing homes

Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS)
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/
Provides detailed information about Medicaid and Medicare services.

Book

Illinois Citizens for Better Care
Book - Smart Care: When a Loved One is in a Nursing Home by Wendy Meltzer
http://www.illinoiscares.org/book.html

-- Compiled by Stephane Behne