The decision to place your loved one in a nursing home can be difficult. After you’ve done your research and found a place that you feel is the right fit, you put the care and safety of your loved one in the hands of the home staff. However, due to high turnover, low pay, and the inability to find help, many homes are understaffed. Nursing homes have an obligation to keep their homes adequately staffed. Sometimes this means paying higher wages and making working conditions better for staff. Homes that cut corners are unwilling to take the steps necessary to find caring and reliable staff. When a home is understaffed, it is often the residents who suffer.
Nursing Home Neglect
When a home is understaffed, it becomes more likely that shortcuts will be taken. This can result in residents not receiving the supervision and care that they require. This level of neglect in the home can lead to serious injuries for residents such as:
- Bedsores—bedbound residents must be turned every two hours to prevent bedsores. In an understaffed home, this may not happen. In addition, bedsores can be caused by a failure to change a resident. If a resident is allowed to sit in soiled clothing, it is more likely that they will develop bed sores or other conditions
- Falls—falls among the elderly are common, which is why many nursing home residents require supervision and assistance with their mobility. If there are not enough staff members to assist residents, falls are more likely to occur.
- Malnutrition and Dehydration—many residents require assistance with eating and drinking, and when a home is understaffed, there may not be anyone ensuring that all residents are properly nourished and hydrated.
Nursing Home Abuse
When a home is understaffed, this puts undue stress on the staff members who are present in the home. Nursing home staff can cave under the pressure of high workloads, lose their tempers, and take it out on the residents. Nursing home abuse can result in injuries such as bruising, fractures, and head injuries. In addition, nursing home residents in understaffed homes often become victims of verbal and psychological abuse.
Contact a Trusted Nursing Home Attorney
If you or your loved one has been injured in an understaffed nursing home, you should consult with an experienced nursing home attorney. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we have been defending the rights of nursing home residents for over 50 years. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.