Nursing Home Care: Five Things You Should Know

October 10, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Courtesy of Integracp, Wikipedia Commons

Quality living has been the topic of debate lately in Illinois, where, according to Families for Better Care, Inc., a citizen advocacy group based in Tallahassee, Florida, nursing home care ranks one of the lowest of the low. For the second consecutive year Illinois has received a failing grade from Families for Better Care, dropping two spots in the national rankings from 42 in 2013 to 44 in 2014.

The Land of Lincoln scored failing or below average grades in 5 of 8 categories, placing lowest in direct care staffing hours per resident (47th), the percentage of facilities with deficiencies (44th), and the percentage of facilities with severe deficiencies (39th), according to the report.

“Illinois’s ranking shows that nursing homes continued to be riddled with problems,” said Families for Better Care executive director Brian Lee in a statement. “The state remains among the worst in hiring enough staff to care for residents.”

As Lee notes, the hiring of qualified workers appears to be one of many glaring problem of Illinois’s poor performance. Local lawmakers are making attempts to compensate for lack of staff and substandard facilities by adopting newer and more technology-based methods to improve its national standing. And one prospective law, with roots in Illinois, hopes to extend its reach nationwide. Below are five laws and prospective laws you should be aware of:

1.) Put a Registered Nurse in the Nursing Home Act
There are roughly 1,200 long-term care facilities in the state of Illinois, serving more than 100,000 residents. Those are dense numbers. Over the summer, Illinoi Rep. Jan Schakowsky introduced the “Put a Registered Nurse in the Nursing Home Act,” which would require nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities that receive Medicare and/or Medicaid reimbursement to have a direct-care Registered Nurse on duty 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

2.) Video Cameras in Nursing Homes
The latest proposal from Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, would allow video cameras and audio recording devices to be installed inside the rooms of residents, a measure that hopes to curb deficiencies and staff abuse by creating a more transparent environment. The proposal —with remnants of earlier bill that failed to muster bipartisan support in the past — hopes to be a game changer in the quest to protect resident’s rights and their safety.

3.) Illinois Department of Public Health Ombudsman Program
In August, Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill expanding the Ombudsman Program, which allows residents of long-term care facilities and their families to file grievances through an online portal at the Illinois Department of Health website. Starting January 1, 2015, older adults and persons with disabilities ages 18 to 59 who live in a community setting will receive the same advocacy services as people who reside in nursing homes.

4.) Pathways to Community Living Program
In Illinois, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services partners with the Department of Human Services, the Department on Aging, and the Illinois Housing Development Authority for the Pathways to Community Living Program, a subset of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2006. Under the Pathways initiative, the state has increased community services and rebalanced the state’s long term care systems by providing appropriate, person-centered services for individuals interested in transitioning from institutional settings to qualified home and community based settings.

5.) The Nursing Home Care Act
The Illinois General Assembly adopted the Nursing Home Care Act (NHCA) in 1979, a law that gives nursing home residents complete “power of attorney” should they choose to file suite against a home and/or owner, along with outlining several laws defining residents’ rights. This includes but is not limited to: 1.) The right to religious freedom. 2.) The right to refuse treatment. 3.) The right to be cared for by their own doctor under their own health insurance or expense.

Associate Attorney Brett Manchel Speaks on Law Firm Technology

October 9, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Associate attorney Brett Manchel spoke to the Chicago Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Committee on Tuesday. The presentation, given with attorney Richard C. Balough, of Balough Law Offices, was titled “It’s on the Internet so it Must be True, and Other Technology Myths.” Manchel and Balough addressed ethical considerations attorneys should be aware of with popular services like Gmail and Dropbox, best practices for legal online advertising and social media use, and law firm technology policies. The goal of Manchel and Balough’s discussion was to help lawyers understand popular technologies and the risks associated with each.

Levinson and Stefani partner Ken Levinson, who is the Co-Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Committee, invited Manchel and Balough to speak because of each attorney’s interest in helping other lawyers make smart choices about technology from both a legal practice perspective and a client perspective. “I’m very thankful for Brett and Richard, and I’m very glad they could share their valuable knowledge with the practicing attorneys of the Committee,” said Levinson. The diverse audience at the CBA meeting included new lawyers and veteran practitioners from a variety of practice areas, but “all lawyers, at the very least, need to incorporate email, mobile, and online tech into their practice in order to thrive in today’s legal market,” said Manchel.

This was Manchel’s first presentation to the Chicago Bar, and, said Levinson, “He did a wonderful job. Our firm is very lucky to have him!”

Ken Levinson introducing Brett Manchel to Speak on Law Firm Technology — Ken Levinson introducing Brett Manchel to the Chicago Bar’s Solo & Small Firm Committee

Attorney Brett Manchel Speaks to the Chicago Bar about Law Firm Technology Issues — Attorney Brett Manchel speaks to the Chicago Bar Association on law firm technology issues.

How Parents Endanger Their Kids In Cars

October 6, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Bending the rules. For parents that could mean any number of minor infractions: a candy bar before dinner, an hour of television before bed. In those cases, by all means bend away. Some rules, however, shouldn’t bend at all.

The latest report from Safe Kids Worldwide reveals that one in five parents of young kids admit to “bending the rules” while riding in cars with their children, according to the organizations recent study, as reported by NBC 5 Chicago. Safe Kids also notes that three times as many parents admit that they’ve seen other parents doing the same; and one in four parents admit to failing to secure a child with a seat belt during a car ride. The report was based on a survey of 1,000 parents of children ages 4 to 10. These eye-opening numbers show just often adults endanger the lives of their children by overlooking typical safety measures.

Parents, adults and caregivers cited “quick rides,” “traveling overnight,” and the fact that they’re “in a rush” as reasons for not securing a child properly. Nineteen percent of parents between the ages of 19 and 29 often “reward” their child by allowing them to sit in the front seat without a seat belt. A number of parents also believe that a child is safe as long as they’re able to monitor while driving.

Affluent parents and households with higher levels of education were more likely to say that it was okay for a child to ride in a car without a seatbelt, and men were more likely than women to admit that riding in a car with an unrestrained child was acceptable practice. As income level increased adults more frequently said it was okay for a child to ride in a car without a seatbelt.

The report also found that three out of ten parents don’t discuss car safety with other adults when it comes to carpooling, including the use of booster seats. Although 92 percent of parents and caregivers had heard of booster seats only 17 percent shared concerns about their child’s safety.

Based on the findings, Safe Kids recommends several strategies for parents to take advantage of moving forward:

It goes without saying: buckle up your kids and friends’ kids every ride, every time. Nearly one-third of children who die in car crashes are completely unrestrained. It’s a simple and necessary mantra for keeping your child safe and secure for every ride. Make it a habit for older children who can buckle themselves, and make sure to check they’ve done so properly before setting out on your ride.

Talk to other parents who are driving your kids about eh importance of buckling up. Half of parents who report not talking about child safety seats with other adults said that they trusted them and assumed they would take the necessary precautions for keeping kids safe. Take assumptions out of the equation. Have a discussion about how you expect your child to be restrained properly while riding in a car, even if it’s not your own.

Check that the right child safety seat is being used and that it’s installed properly. Roughly 30 percent of caregivers believe that they have installed or secured a booster seat correctly, when in fact they haven’t. Find a local car seat check-up station and or check-up event and make sure the seat is securely fastened and installed.

Always remember: Safety First!

Check out Buckle Up Illinois for more information:

Nonprofit Spotlight: Kids In Danger

October 3, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

As part of a new series on the blog, we’re highlighting Illinois and Chicago-based not-for-profits, ones that we believe are doing great work for the community on several fronts.

Today we salute Kids In Danger (KID), an organization that protects children and educates adults when it comes to child product safety. Faulty child products are one of the leading causes of death among children. According to KID, more than 80,000 children under the age of 5 suffered injuries related to nursery products in 2010. That number continues to rise as we head into 2015, in just one of many categories related to product safety.

Like the start of so many awareness-based groups, KID is rooted in tragedy. University of Chicago professors Linda Ginzel and Boaz Keysar founded KID in 1998 following the death of their son in an unsafe portable crib, an item that had been recalled only months earlier. More than 10 years later, KID has led the charge to increase awareness and prevent would-be victims of dangerous children’s products, many of which find their way onto a recall list. Ironically, the same recalls fail to find their way onto the radar screens of parents; by then it’s sometimes too late. More alarming than the frequency of product recalls is how unsuspecting and harmful they can be.

A recent example: the Colors of Benetton Boys Jacket was recalled earlier this month due to an entanglement hazard related to its drawstring. These and other seemingly benign qualities have the potential to change your family’s life in an instant. Preventing your child from these unsuspecting dangers simply requires a greater awareness, and KID provides several easy-to-access tools and safety guides directly on its website.

Some items that intrigue us: The organization hosts a central portal of information that encourages parents to review the latest product safety regulations, along with listing the latest government-mandated product recalls on its blog and Facebook page. The site’s news portal includes links and downloadable pamphlets with useful safety information, such as creating safer environments around the house. Below you’ll see how Kid breaks down three of its most important programs:

Safe from the Start — SFTS educates a large and diverse body of parents, childcare providers and healthcare professionals about dangerous and recalled children’s products.
The Debby Sayah Grandparent Outreach Project – provides this essential population of caregivers with focused product safety information.
Teach Early Safety Testing — TEST promotes and encourages designers and engineers to incorporate safety and testing into product development, primarily by working with undergraduate engineering programs.

One of the most appealing resources on the site: KID highlights major news stories and timely events each month, ranging from major settlements to ongoing legal cases with far-reaching implications, as part of a monthly roundup. The organization also publishes Recall Digest each month, a comprehensive list of the latest products that have been recalled, along with explanations for why. Visitors can also subscribe to the organization’s YouTube page featuring video tutorials and Public Service Announcements.

Thanks to KID, you can stay up to date with the latest in child product safety and useful information like KID’s “three steps to safety”: KID often references the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which recently enacted the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

Levinson and Stefani is proud to spotlight KID this month. If you’re skeptical of our choice, you can check out GreatNonProfits.org, where KID has earned the distinction of a Top Nonprofit.

“KIDS is an amazing organization,” says one reviewer. “The value of information that is presented to the world is unique. We recommend utilizing the site and signing up to get the alerts. KIDS really helps save lives.”

Healthcare Cyber Crime: What You Need to Know

October 1, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Back in August Community Health Systems, one of the biggest hospital groups in the United States, announced that a group of hackers with ties to the Chinese government had stolen data from nearly 4.5 million patient records. Much of that data included Social Security numbers, addresses and a range of personal information protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

The attack, the largest of its kind since the Department of Health and Human Services began tracking cyber attacks in 2009, has raised several questions for patients and most especially healthcare professionals, who find themselves in a particularly sticky situation when it come to cyber security. The use of Electronic Health Records (or EHRs as they’re also known) and digital web portals has become the standard means of collecting and managing information of patients and would-be-patients; much in the same way retail stores or banks has collected the credit card data of customers for years. But unlike retail stores and banks, which continue to work vigorously to combat various degrees of cyber attacks and financial fraud, ever since the advent of credit cards and the Internet, the wealth of personal information collected by hospitals has long-lasting and far more damaging implications when breached. What’s more, retail companies and banks have had time to adapt; hospitals and administrative teams are just now seeing the dangers involved and realizing how ill-equipped they are.

Mandiant, a security consulting service that monitors such attacks, noted that cyber attacks on public health records have spiked over the last several months. Unlike the limited lifespan of a credit card or your account data, the most miniscule amount of personal information has the potential for near perpetual disaster. For one, social security numbers are broader in utility, allowing hackers to commit multiple types of fraud and identity theft. A security report by computer data storage company EMC Corporation notes that the average selling price for a U.S. credit card in the underground is $1 USD. However when a single card is sold as part of a full identity profile, the cost increases dramatically to $500, with health insurance credentials adding an additional $20 each.

Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report and FireEye’s Advanced Threat also report what many of us may know but are afraid to admit. These cyber breaches are just the tip of the iceberg. Many more are likely to follow, even still as healthcare workers look to change their ways. In news out of Chicago, Healthcare IT News reports that the healthcare industry is making practical attempts to hire IT gurus and techies, based on new findings from HIMSS Analytics. HIMSS surveyed the workforce of several healthcare organizations, finding that demand for IT workers is “projected to continue in the foreseeable future,” according to press release from Lorren Pettit, Vice President of research at HIMSS Analytics.

You may be asking yourself, “How do I protect against these kinds of threats?” There is no simple answer. Diligence, however, is a virtue and the better prepared you are and the more knowledge you bring to the table can better serve your interests. Air your concerns face to face with your physician, dentist, or healthcare provider. At the very least, it will better the odds for everyone.

How Parents Can Make the Most of Parent-Teacher Conferences

October 1, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

The parent-teacher conference is a deeply personal ritual. It can be a wholly congratulatory experience or an indictment of one’s parenting skills. As comfortable or as uncomfortable as conferences may be, the most important thing to remember is that you’re there to talk about your child. Keep in mind a few basic principles when talking to your child’s teacher, so you can make the most out of the conversation.

Come prepared
The parent-teacher conference is a dialogue of great value. Like anything else, it’s important to be ready. Define your goals. Define your child’s goals. Write out a list of the ten most important questions and talking points prior to your meeting. Take advantage of the fact that you have an opportunity to gain insight into your child’s educational experience from the person who sees them almost as often as you do. By doing so, you’ll also prove that you take your child’s school experience as seriously as teachers do.

Stick to the subject
National Public Radio came up with a list of general principles to note the next time you’re scheduled for a parent-teacher conference. It boils down to three things: the child, the classroom, and the future. You may be tempted to boast about your child’s learning abilities. You may be tempted to defend their shortcomings. Stick to the subject. Listen to one another. Resist the temptation to chitchat and put the focus squarely on your child’s habits in the classroom. Discuss strategies to improve their learning habits and opportunities to improve the school experience, both inside the classroom and beyond.

Stay Engaged
The Harvard Family Research Project reaffirms what most parents already know: “family engagement matters for students success.” The Project defines Family Engagement in the following ways: 1.) A shared responsibility among families, community organizations, and schools; 2.) Continuous throughout a child’s life, from birth through adolescence; 3.) Occurring across the multiple settings and contexts in which children grow and learn.

It’s a perpetual process involving several factors of outside life. Take the conversation seriously and apply any suggestions or tips for better learning back at home, within a support group, or a community even, that fosters mutual success among its participants. Remember that education is a lifelong process, that continues beyond the classroom. Staying engaged and helping your child at home is one of the most important things you can for your child, but involving them in other learning-based, communal activities shows them how other kids are working towards the same goals. Establishing these learning habits and communities throughout childhood will help your young student succeed in school and out.

Open the lines of communication
Several factors may contribute to your child’s learning, even beyond the classroom. A recent divorce, a separation, a move to a new city, losing a best friend, or even a death in the family—all these things and more can contribute to a child’s psyche and well being. It can also affect you, which indirectly affects your kids. Addressing these issues with your child’s teacher may provide additional insight into their learning habits, and also make the teacher aware of how they may be coping with lingering issues at home. It is certainly not unusually for at-home “issues” to follow a child with them into school and extracurriculars.

Follow up
Parent-teacher conferences generally happen every 1-2 months and they last about 15-20 minutes a piece. Depending on the extant of your conversation, there may be many more topics left to discuss. Suggest a follow up with your child’s teacher either by phone or in-person. If the teacher is willing, you can cover more ground on a regular basis to ensure your child is improving in school and/or establish better learning tools at home. Ask the teacher if he or she can email you updates, or if the teacher puts class information online where parents can also see what their kids should be working on.