Nursing Homes Understaffing: How It Can Endanger Your Loved One

Choosing to put a family member in a nursing home is always a difficult decision. Trusting a facility with the care and well-being of a family member is challenging, and you expect the staff to provide excellent care. 

However, many nursing homes face a significant problem: understaffing. This issue can lead to severe consequences for residents, including instances of abuse and neglect. 

This article will discuss how understaffing can put your loved one at risk and how a nursing home abuse lawyer or elder abuse and neglect attorney can help you hold these facilities accountable for their actions.

The Prevalence of Understaffing in Nursing Homes

Understaffing is a widespread problem in nursing homes across the country. As indicated in the journal Health Affairs, more than half of all nursing homes in the United States have inadequate staffing levels. 

This alarming statistic reveals that understaffing is not an isolated problem but a systemic issue plaguing the nursing home industry. The lack of staff can lead to various problems, including increased abuse, neglect, and a decline in the overall quality of care.

The reasons for understaffing in nursing homes are complex and multifaceted. Some facilities may struggle to attract and retain qualified staff due to low wages and poor working conditions. High staff turnover often affects the availability of well-trained employees per shift. 

But the most common reason for understaffing is that nursing home managers try to reduce expenses by working with as few staff members as possible. Unfortunately, a lot of skilled nurses, certified nurse assistants, and other medical professionals choose to work elsewhere, possibly because they find caring for the elderly at the end of their lives challenging. 

Additionally, the rising demand for elder care services, coupled with a growing aging population, may further strain the resources of already understaffed nursing homes.

How Understaffing Can Lead to Abuse and Neglect

When nursing homes are understaffed, the remaining employees are often overworked and overwhelmed, leading to a decline in the quality of care provided to residents. The following are some of the effects understaffing can contribute to abuse and neglect in nursing homes:

• Insufficient Supervision: With fewer staff members to monitor residents, there is an increased risk of accidents and injuries. Falls, medication errors, and other preventable incidents can occur when staff are stretched too thin.
• Neglect of Basic Needs: Understaffed facilities may have trouble meeting the basic needs of their residents, including providing adequate nutrition, hydration, and hygiene. This can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores, and other severe health conditions.
• Increased Risk of Abuse: Overworked and stressed staff may be more likely to lash out at residents, either verbally or physically. Additionally, with fewer staff members present, there are fewer witnesses to potential abuse, making it more challenging to identify and stop.
• Mental and Emotional Neglect: Social interaction and mental stimulation are crucial for the well-being of elderly individuals. Understaffed nursing homes may lack the resources to provide appropriate activities and companionship for their residents, leading to isolation, loneliness, and depression.

How a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Assist You

If you suspect that your loved one is experiencing abuse or neglect due to nursing home understaffing, a nursing home abuse lawyer or elder abuse and neglect attorney can provide valuable assistance. They can help you:

• Investigate the situation and gather evidence of abuse or neglect
• Hold the nursing home and its staff accountable for their actions by filing a lawsuit or pursuing other legal actions on behalf of your loved one
• Understand and navigate the complex legal procedures and regulations surrounding nursing home abuse and neglect cases
• Advocate for your loved one’s rights, ensuring they receive the proper care, attention, and compensation they deserve
• Coordinate with medical professionals, social workers, and other experts to evaluate your loved one’s condition and the extent of the abuse or neglect
• Negotiate with the nursing home, their insurance company, and other involved parties to reach a settlement, if appropriate
• Represent your loved one and their best interests in court, presenting a solid case on their behalf and seeking justice for the abuse or neglect they have suffered
• Advise you on the best course of action, whether that involves filing a complaint with the appropriate state agency, pursuing a civil lawsuit, or seeking alternative resolutions
• Educate you and your family about your legal rights and options, ensuring you have the information and support you need to make informed decisions
• Provide emotional and moral support during a difficult and emotionally charged time, working tirelessly to ensure your loved one is protected and their rights are upheld

Final Thoughts

A nursing home abuse lawyer can provide the knowledge, experience, and resources needed to effectively address and resolve cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. They will work diligently to guarantee that your loved one receives the care and justice they deserve and that those responsible for the abuse or neglect are held accountable for their actions.

If you require the assistance of nursing home abuse lawyers in Phoenix, look no further. Our firm, Bossie, Reilly, & Oh, was established to provide a voice for vulnerable adults and seniors. 

We are dedicated to holding nursing homes, hospitals, group homes, and assisted living facilities accountable for any mistreatment or neglect of elderly and vulnerable individuals. We take pride in advocating for the rights of these members of our community. Join forces with us today!