Most nursing homes in the United States are very likely understaffed. In fact, their secret is that they’re often chronically understaffed. It’s a problem throughout the United States, from big cities to smaller towns. An understaffed nursing facility can eventually result in nursing home accidents, abuse and neglect.
Staff members and caregivers who are overwhelmed are more likely unable to supervise patients as much as they should. They may be impatient and therefore abusive to a nursing home resident, or simply neglect them when they can’t get to all their patients or answer when they call. The results can be injuries from accidents and neglect.
Why Nursing Homes May Be Short-Staffed
Whether you are a nurse, nursing assistant, or even a cafeteria worker or a cleaner, working in a nursing home is difficult and high-stress under normal circumstances. But when there isn’t enough staff to go around, the workers that are left become overwhelmed and exhausted. On top of that, many are underpaid and unable to get time off. With all that, working in a nursing home is not a sought after position.
Nurses in general are in short supply and have been for some time. Many nurses would prefer to work in hospitals or clinics instead of the long and difficult hours in a nursing home. This shortage puts further stress on the nursing home system.
Finally again nursing home employment isn’t the best paying of jobs. People who work with the elderly must really have a deep desire to help those who can’t help themselves. This is especially true for people who work with vulnerable elderly residents. Unfortunately many workers leave when they find better-paying work.
At The Corporate Level
Nursing home budgets are often stretched with razor-thin margins. Decisions at the corporate level to cut costs by cutting staff hours or staff members also lead to inadequate levels of care or simply absent care. Without sufficient assistance, residents will not be adequately cared for and may decide to get up and take care of themselves. Unfortunately, for fail elderly, this can lead to falls and injury. Sadly, some residents may not be turned properly in bed or left for too long in a wheelchair. This results in bedsores and other related injuries.
Decisions to cut staffing results in overworked staff and even the best may lose their tempers, taking out frustration on residents. It’s not intentional and is disappointing but may happen, leading to more nursing home accidents.
The Impact Of COVID-19
Nursing homes were already facing staffing shortages prior to the emergence of COVID-19. As we enter the third year of the pandemic, its impact on the nursing home industry is obvious.
To protect vulnerable nursing home residents, who may already have a diminished immune system, cities and states closed access to nursing home patients. This meant loved ones were not able to visit residents as they had before. Loved ones were required to either make do with FaceTime and Zoom calls or simply visit residence at the window.
This lack of access put an additional strain on staff members. An unrecognized factor was that residents’ family and friends regularly provided considerable assistance to nursing home staff by providing a needed helping hand. The sudden closure of nursing homes due to the pandemic put a bigger strain on nursing home staff to do it all. Additionally some staff simply quit to find safer easier employment.
Vaccination Reluctance
The availability of vaccines for COVID-19 were supposed to be a blessing in the fight against COVID-19. Unfortunately, not everyone saw it that way. Many were reluctant to become vaccinated with a newly developed vaccine. Staff were expected to be vaccinated and in many cases, mandates required it. If a staff member refused vaccination, they had to be fired, leading to further reduction in staff. Some even quit before they would have to get the vaccine.
With COVID-19, staff burnout is common with employees and many health care workers have decided to leave the field entirely. Nursing homes have been setting limits on new patients because of the lack of staff. A potential statewide staffing crisis may be just around the corner for West Virginia nursing homes with many considering having to close.
A Voice For Charleston’s Vulnerable
Understaffed nursing homes can lead to accidents and injuries with devastating after-effects or even death. Without sufficient staff, residents don’t receive the care they need on a daily basis. If your loved one has been in a nursing home accident or harmed by neglect or abuse in a nursing home, the attorneys of Love Law Firm can help.
Because a nursing home lawsuit can be complicated, it’s important to have an attorney who understands the complexities of such a case. Contact The Love Law Firm today at (304) 344-5683 for a free consultation. We’ve helped thousands of West Virginians fight for their loved ones in nursing homes, and we’re ready to fight for your loved one.