Understaffing in Nursing Homes and Long-term Care
Understaffing in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities is often an underlying cause of abuse and neglect. When facilities such as nursing homes fail to hire enough staff, it leads to a decline in patient care, an increase in the risk of neglect or abuse, a decrease in the standard of care, and an increase in issues such as infections, falls, elopement, malnutrition, and medication errors.
Unfortunately, despite the overwhelming negative consequences related to understaffing, to save money, many nursing homes and long-term care facilities continue to put profits over patient safety and hire fewer staff. If you believe your loved ones are being harmed due to neglect or abuse, contact our Georgia elder abuse attorneys for a free case review. Our compassionate attorneys will help you explore your legal options.
Effects of an Understaffed Facility
Understaffing is a serious safety issue for residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities. When a facility is understaffed, the staff they do have often are overworked and under-paid. This is a combination for a potentially dangerous environment.
The negative effects of an understaffed care facility may include, but isn’t limited to:
- Uncontrolled infections
- A higher risk for falls
- Elopement
- Malnutrition
- Poor personal hygiene in residents
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Medication errors
- Abuse
- Poor communication from staff to families
- Nutritional oversight
- Psychological and emotional issues
- Dehydration
- High staff turnover
- Bedsores
An understaffed nursing home almost always leads to an overburdened staff. When a nurse or other staff member has too much on their plate, they simply can’t offer the highest quality of care. Too many hours, not enough sleep, and a stressful environment may lead to mistakes – even from the most skilled and well-meaning staff members. In some cases, this could lead to falls or nutritional or medication errors, or even death.
Statistics Regarding Understaffing in Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities in Georgia
What Can I Do if My Loved One is Not Receiving the Care They Deserve?
If your loved one is in a Canton nursing home or long-term care facility that isn’t adequately staffed, there are certain measures you can take including:
- Talking to a facility supervisor about your concerns
- Contacting a social worker
- Reaching out to the facility’s administration
- Speaking with the director of nursing
- Talking to your loved one’s doctor
Communication and involvement are key. If you notice there is not enough staff at a facility and your loved one is suffering because of it, talking to the people in charge is a great first step. If your complaint isn’t resolved quickly, it may be time to reach out to a Canton nursing home abuse lawyer.
Talk to a Canton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
We understand that placing your loved one in a nursing home was a difficult decision. They should be getting the best care possible, and when they aren’t, it can be devastating for the entire family. Our compassionate team has your loved one’s best interest at heart, and we will do everything we can to demand justice. If your loved one has been injured due to understaffing issues at a Canton nursing home facility, you can reach one of our skilled nursing home abuse attorneys at 770-802-1080 or use our online form to schedule a free consultation.
