Nursing Home Neglect and Staffing Shortages: Protecting Your Loved Ones

Nursing Home Negligence

Nursing home negligence is a serious concern that affects not only many patients but also their families and loved ones. It is classified as a form of abuse as it involves substandard care or failures to fulfill the responsibilities owed to residents. When it comes to nursing home negligence, there are key indicators to look out for, as neglect can manifest in various forms.

Common Signs of Nursing Home Negligence

The common signs of nursing home negligence include the following:

• Abandonment – This occurs when a caregiver deserts someone in their care, leaving them to remain isolated and vulnerable.
• Medical neglect – Medical neglect is the failure to treat or prevent health problems, which ultimately causes infections, mobility issues, and even bedsores. If untreated, these health issues could worsen over time and possibly become fatal. Medication errors also fall under the category of medical neglect. Studies show that about 75% of nursing home patients were given at least one inappropriate medication by the designated staff on duty.
• Neglect of personal hygiene – Maintaining personal hygiene is crucial for a patient’s health. Neglect of personal hygiene can result in long-term health concerns for the patient. This form of neglect can manifest as failing to wash the patient’s laundry or providing inadequate dental care.
• Neglect of basic needs – This type of neglect is present when patients are not provided with food or clean water, causing them to feel severely malnourished and dehydrated.
• Self-neglect – This occurs when patients lose the ability to care for themselves and, as a result, do not seek help from others. In this case, it is the responsibility of the staff on duty to ensure that patients do not neglect their care.
• Social or emotional neglect – This type of neglect is when a caregiver does not allow the patient to interact with others, causing them to feel lonely and isolated.

The Role of Staffing in the Quality of Care

Adequate staffing, particularly in nursing homes, is essential to the health and well-being of all patients. Understaffing is a significant concern when discussing nursing home negligence and the quality of care provided to patients. When there isn’t enough staff, patients are at a higher risk of receiving poor care, which can ultimately lead to nursing home negligence. The staff working shifts are also overworked, as they must care for more patients due to the shortage of other staff members. On the other hand, staff who do not receive proper training will be unable to perform their duties correctly, which can lead to mistakes that cause harm to patients.

Staffing shortages cause issues in the health of many patients. Understaffing leads to neglect, which can cause the worsening of injuries as well as many psychological consequences. Roughly 46% of nursing homes have limited new admissions, while 38% turn away residents on a weekly or monthly basis. This can cause patients who need care and assistance to not be accepted due to the shortage of staff members. Other causes of nursing home neglect include the following:

• Poor management
• Lack of resources
• Inadequate policies
• Financial hardships

You have the power to prevent nursing home negligence by the following:

• Believing loved ones
• Reviewing nursing home facilities
• Contacting loved ones
• Watching the signs of neglect listed above

Laws Regulating Staffing Levels

The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 (NHRA) sets the federal quality standards for nursing homes. This act has been established to ensure that patients in nursing homes receive the proper care necessary to maintain their safety, ultimately protecting them from neglect. In contrast, the Senate Committee on Aging discovered that many nursing homes were not meeting the requirements of the Nursing Home Reform Act. This has led residents to feel neglected and uncared for.

In the United States, to receive Medicare and Medicaid funding, nursing homes must comply with the NHRA standards. Random surveys are to be performed by States at least once every 15 months under the NHRA enforcement. These surveys will test the quality of care, life, and overall services provided to nursing home patients. Penalties, including denial of Medicare or Medicaid funds, state monitoring, and temporary state management, will be implemented if nursing homes are found to have violated the act.

How KAASS LAW Can Help

Navigating the legal challenges of negligence in nursing homes can be challenging and frustrating for families as well as patients. KAASS LAW is committed to holding negligent facilities accountable and fighting for the rights of all individuals. If you or a loved one has suffered due to nursing home negligence, KAASS LAW can help. We provide professional legal representation and can get you the compensation you deserve.

Conclusion

Nursing home negligence can be extremely detrimental to patients and their loved ones. It can cause long-term health issues and can even become fatal when unrecognized. Understanding your rights and taking action is crucial to the health and well-being of both the patient and their family. Contact KAASS LAW today for a confidential consultation.