Understaffing is a Significant Cause of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Have you worried that your loved one is not receiving adequate care in the nursing home?  Do you fear that your loved one could be a victim of nursing home abuse? 

Your concerns are justified as nursing home neglect and abuse happens all too often across the United States.  One of the main causes of nursing home abuse and neglect is understaffing of the facilities.  It is estimated that over 50 percent of nursing home facilities in the United States are understaffed.  Lack of the necessary staff can lead to serious abuse and neglect of the residents.

An understaffed nursing home is not able to provide the level of care that your loved one needs.  Workers at these nursing home facilities become overworked and tired, which can lead to impatience and verbal abuse with the residents.  It is not uncommon for an understaffed nursing home to neglect to give residents their medications, which could result in significant health problems.  Residents are overlooked and not provided with the appropriate attention, the attention in which families are paying thousands of dollars.

Malnutrition, dehydration and bed sores are common symptoms of nursing home neglect and abuse.  An understaffed nursing home increases the risk of these conditions.  You can help prevent such abuse and neglect by visiting your loved one often.  While you are at the nursing home facility, look for signs of abuse or neglect.  Does it appear that your loved one is in reasonable health?   Has your loved one mentioned abuse or lack of attention?  You may want to inquire about the current employee to resident ratio.  Since employee turnover can be high, this ratio can change.

If your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C. today at (800) 690-0235.

The article, Understaffed Nursing Homes can Lead to Elder Abuse, has more information about the problems associated with understaffing, including the necessary legal action that should be taken. 

Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Risks

Nursing home residents are sometimes the victims of abuse or neglect.  Families place their loved ones in nursing homes, believing that they will receive quality care and be safe from harm.  However, several risk factors put nursing home residents in danger.

If you have a loved one living in a nursing home, you should be familiar with the risk factors associated with nursing home abuse and neglect.  To help protect your elderly family member, you should visit him or her often in the nursing home to ensure that adequate care is being provided.

Some of the risk factors linked to nursing home neglect and abuse fall into three categories – facility, resident and relationship.  Facility risk factors include poor staffing, staff indifference, staff burnout and stress, which can all lead to abuse of nursing home residents.  Resident risk factors include those related to behavioral issues.  For example, if a resident has dementia, social isolation or unmet needs, then that resident may become more vulnerable to neglect or abuse.  Relationship risk factors include the resident’s relationship with his or her family members and the interaction with the staff members.  When a resident is missing a relationship bond, then he or she is more susceptible to abuse.

Nursing home residents have legal rights and the nursing home can be held responsible for abuse or neglect.  If you feel that your loved one may be the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, you need to take immediate action.  An experienced Virginia nursing home abuse attorney can help you file a claim against the nursing home.  Contact Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C. at (800) 690-0235 for advice regarding your case.

The article, Risk Factors Associated with Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect, has more information regarding this topic.