Worst Nursing Homes in Rockford

Nursing homes are supposed to ensure residents receive high-quality care in a safe environment. Unfortunately, many issues plague these institutions, such as small staffs, administrative failures, and improper practices. These failures can put residents in harm’s way, making abuse and neglect possible.

In this article, we will examine some of the worst nursing homes in the Rockford, IL, area.

How We Identify Rockford, Illinois’s Worst Nursing Homes

The primary method for identifying underperforming nursing homes in Rockford, IL, is through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website. The nursing home comparison tool allows anyone to research individual facilities and examine ratings, past inspections, and violations.

CMS also created a five-star rating system for nursing homes nationwide. Each facility receives an overall score based on individual ratings for health inspections, staffing, and quality measures.

Every facility listed below has a one-star rating for its overall score (please note that ratings are subject to change). These low ratings often indicate abuse and neglect in a rehabilitation and health facility.

Some nursing homes are part of the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which means they are flagged for having a consistent record of violations and serious quality issues. If a nursing home is being considered for the Special Focus Facility program, but hasn’t been flagged yet, it is added to the SFF Candidate list.

List of Rockford’s Lowest-Rated Nursing Homes

1. Rock River Health Care

This rehabilitation center has poor ratings across the board from CMS. In the last three years, it has been fined twice for a total of $54,719. During that same period, there was also a Medicare payment denial.

The last standard inspection, conducted in October 2024, resulted in 16 health citations, which exceeded the national average of 9.6. Here are some of the specific deficiencies found in the last few years at Rock River Health Care:

1. A failure to provide appropriate pain management care.
2. A failure to have a registered nurse on shift for eight hours a day.
3. A failure to ensure that menus meet all the nutritional needs of the residents.
4. A failure to provide sufficient pharmaceutical services.
5. A failure to ensure feeding tubes are only used when medically necessary.
6. A failure to provide appropriate treatment according to the resident’s care plan and preferences.
7. Forest City Rehab and Nursing Center

From 2021 to 2024, this nursing home was cited for 80 deficiencies. The nursing home also received five fines worth $285,843 and a Medicare payment suspension during this period. CMS also has a consumer alert attached to this health care center due to past issues with resident abuse. Some of the specific violations from the last few years include:

1. A failure to provide appropriate pressure ulcer care.
2. A failure to ensure residents are free from significant medication errors.
3. A failure to provide enough food and fluids to maintain a patient’s health.
4. A failure to provide and implement an infection prevention and control plan.
5. A failure to protect residents from all types of abuse.
6. A failure to ensure the nursing home area is free of accident hazards.
7. Alden Park Strathmoor

This nursing home has one-star ratings in every CMS category, except for health inspections (three stars). The facility received one federal fine of $23,319 in the last three years, and the most recent inspection resulted in ten health citations. During this time, six complaints also led to health citations.

Here are some of the deficiencies mentioned in recent reports about Alden Park Strathmoor:

1. A failure to provide appropriate treatment according to the resident’s care plan and preferences.
2. A failure to provide enough food and fluids to maintain a patient’s health.
3. A failure to procure food from approved sources and serve it according to professional standards.
4. A failure to keep all resident records private and confidential.
5. A failure to keep the nursing home area free of accident hazards.
6. A failure to ensure nursing home services meet quality standards.
7. Alden Debes Rehab and HCC

This health care facility has been fined four times for a total of $158,464 in the last three years, along with two Medicare payment denials. There is also a consumer alert because of issues with resident abuse. Twelve complaints against the nursing home have led to health citations in the past three years. Here are some specific deficiencies found at this skilled nursing facility:

1. A failure to ensure the nursing home area is free of accident hazards.
2. A failure to protect all residents from abuse.
3. A failure to assist with daily living activities.
4. A failure to provide appropriate pressure ulcer care.
5. A failure to provide appropriate treatment according to resident care plans and preferences.
6. A failure to safely administer IV fluids.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in a Rockford Nursing Center

If you have a loved one in a nursing home, you can help protect them from abuse, neglect, and other forms of mistreatment. You just need to be vigilant for the signs of abuse and neglect, which include:

• Physical abuse – Bruises, fractures, unexplained injuries
• Neglect – Malnutrition, dehydration, poor hygiene, bedsores
• Emotional abuse – Withdrawal, fear, agitation, behavioral changes
• Financial exploitations – Missing possessions, financial document changes, unauthorized purchases or charges
• Sexual abuse – STDs, pain, bleeding

Steps to Take if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect in a Rockford Nursing Center

It is essential to take action quickly if you suspect nursing home abuse is affecting a family member. First, document your concerns with notes, photos, and videos. Report your suspicions to the administrators at the skilled nursing facility.

Contact the long-term ombudsman program in Illinois to speak with a nursing home advocate. If necessary, you can file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Lastly, you may consult an experienced Rockford nursing home neglect attorney to discuss the possibility of a lawsuit over legal damages. If your lawsuit is successful, you can hold the skilled nursing facility accountable for mistreatment and receive compensation.

Filing a Lawsuit for Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect in Rockford

You should always speak to an attorney before considering a lawsuit against an Illinois-based skilled nursing facility. The process can be complex and may not always be the right course of action for abuse victims and their families. Here are the steps typically involved in the average nursing home abuse lawsuit:

• Investigating the claim and gathering evidence
• Determining liability for the victim’s suffering
• Filing a complaint in court
• Discovery process and pre-trial motions
• Settlement negotiation
• Civil trial in rare cases

What Are the Most Common Forms of Nursing Home Neglect in Rockford?

Abuse and neglect are common in rehabilitation and nursing centers across the country. Older adults are among the most vulnerable in our population, so they often fall victim to mistreatment in nursing homes.

Infection prevention and control failures often lead to the spread of diseases in these facilities. Many institutions are understaffed or have poorly trained nurses, resulting in a lower standard of care.

Medication errors and mismanagement can place residents at risk. Some nursing homes fail to provide adequate nutrition and hydration to patients. Residents who are neglected or improperly monitored may suffer from pressure ulcers or other wound complications.

Statute of Limitations for Nursing Home Abuse Claims in Rockford

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for civil cases involving nursing home abuse or neglect is two years. This means victims and their families have two years to file claims from the date of discovery. If you wait until after this period to pursue a lawsuit against an Illinois-based facility, you may not be eligible for compensation.

What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Nursing Home Neglect Case?

If you have suffered in a long-term care center from abuse or neglect, you can seek compensation for legal damages with a lawsuit. Damages fall into two primary categories: economic and non-economic. Economic losses include lost income, therapy bills, medical expenses, and future medical costs. Non-economic damages include emotional distress, disability, mental anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

In rare cases, a judge may award punitive damages, which further punish the at-fault party for intentional misconduct or gross negligence.

Contact a Rockford, IL Nursing Home Attorney for a Free Consultation

The team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers knows what it takes to hold nursing homes accountable and win fair compensation for victims of abuse and neglect. We have many years of experience securing settlements for nursing home residents and their loved ones.

Expert attorneys will investigate your claim, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and even represent you at trial if necessary. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront costs, and we only receive payment if we win your case.

Call today at 888-424-5757 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.