Nursing Home Understaffing
When our loved ones get old or suffer from physical or mental issues that require constant care, sometimes our only choice is to put them in a nursing home. There are many good nursing homes out there, but there are also ones that are poorly staffed and provide inadequate care.
Understaffing is a major problem in nursing homes not just in California but across the United States. It is an issue that affects staff members as well as patients. Employees are likely to feel stressed out and overwhelmed, making it harder for patients to receive the care they need. In some cases, they can suffer injuries, worsened medical conditions, and even death.
Allen Law Firm can assist you if your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home. Contact a lawyer today to start the claim process.
Why Understaffing Occurs
Understaffing appears to be an ongoing problem in many nursing homes, but why? Here are some reasons:
- Cost. There needs to be nursing home staff 24/7. Having more than one staff member per shift gets costly very quickly. Nursing homes will cut corners, at the expense of patient health and safety.
- Pay issues. Again, nursing homes want to cut corners, so they will try to pay low wages. Experienced workers tend to shy away from these facilities.
- High turnover. It’s hard to keep good staff members. This may be because of a lack of training or low pay. It could also be because of understaffing, not a reason why it occurs.
Consequences of Understaffing
Understaffing in nursing homes means a poor level of care. When there aren’t enough staff members, patients suffer the most. They may get dropped and injured when one staff member attempts to move them. When patients try to do things on their own, they may fall and suffer severe injuries.
Understaffing also leads to neglect. Patients get bed sores from being stuck in one place for too long. They may not get bathed often. They may also not get the food, water, and medications they need. This can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and a worsened medical condition.
Abuse can also occur. When staff members are overwhelmed, they may turn to physical and emotional abuse of patients.
Nursing home residents have a basic right to human dignity, but this does not always happen. A high quality of care must be consistently maintained in nursing homes. This can only be achieved through adequate staffing.
Contact Allen Law Firm Today
Understaffing in nursing homes is a serious issue. When there are not enough staff members in a nursing home, patients receive poor care and are often neglected.
Understaffing in nursing homes can lead to tragic outcomes. Allen Law Firm will be there to help you if your loved one has been affected. To schedule a free consultation with a Monterey nursing home understaffing lawyer, call (831) 901-3901 or fill out the online form.