Vulnerable residents suffer when nursing homes are improperly staffed. They are at greater risk of falls, dehydration, malnutrition, bedsores, neglect, and abuse.
If your loved one is a nursing home resident, you need to know the warning signs and how improper staffing negatively impacts residents.
Nursing Home Staffing Statistics
Nursing home staffing shortages have been a significant problem for decades. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing homes experienced the worst job loss of any healthcare sector, losing 210,000 jobs from February 2020 to December 2022.
Today, nursing home workplace levels are the lowest they have been since 1994. A recent report by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living found that 54% of all nursing home providers stated they are having to limit new admissions due to staffing shortages.
Despite the federal staffing rules designed to keep nursing home residents safe, this report estimates that 84 percent of nursing homes are currently facing moderate to high staffing shortages.
These staffing shortages put nursing home residents at a much greater risk of neglect and abuse.
Causes of Improper Staffing in Nursing Homes
Nursing home staffing problems have various causes. The most commonly reported causes include:
- Low wages and lack of benefits. Nursing home workers are paid well below the average wage in the United States, and most nursing homes don’t offer retirement benefits or health insurance.
- Dangers of the job. Nursing home staffers may be exposed to contagious diseases, have to assist with hostile, combative residents, and perform tasks that often result in occupational injuries.
- The stress of the job. Caring for vulnerable residents, many of whom have cognitive decline and may be resistant to staff, can be incredibly stressful. Staffers are often expected to care for more residents at one time than is reasonable or safe, which often leads to burnout.
- There are problems attracting quality staffing candidates. Nursing homes have a public image problem. Many workers do not want to work for an industry known for reports of neglect or abuse. Potential nursing home workers look for working conditions that are less stressful and provide better pay and benefits.
- High turnover rates. Statistics show that more than half of new nursing home staffers quit within one year. It is difficult to keep adequate staffing with a turnover rate like that.
Harm Caused by Improper Staffing in Nursing Homes
When nursing homes are improperly staffed, residents are at a much greater risk of harm. Typical harm caused by improper staffing includes dehydration and malnutrition because there are not enough staffers to ensure each resident is fed at meal times or to help a resident get a drink when they want it.
When there is improper staffing, illnesses and infections may not be detected and treated in a timely manner, leading to complications and suffering.
Residents may not receive sufficient movement and are more likely to develop bed sores, muscle atrophy, and deterioration.
Because of the lack of supervision, residents are more likely to suffer serious accidents, and the harm is likely to be more severe if not attended to timely.
When staffers are overworked, they are far more likely to become frustrated and neglect or abuse residents.
What To Do About Improper Staffing in Nursing Homes
If your loved one is a resident of a nursing home with improper staffing, you need to discuss your concerns with the administration. If the problem is not resolved quickly, consider moving your loved one to a better facility.
Your loved one may have suffered harm due to improper staffing. If so, they may be entitled to seek compensation for that harm. It is essential that residents and their families take action to help motivate changes in nursing homes so that residents do not continue to suffer.
Call (770) 865-8654 or visit our contact page today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your concerns.