When nursing homes run short on staff, residents suffer the consequences. Medications are missed, call buttons go unanswered and hygiene gets overlooked. Our attorneys for nursing home negligence believe that understanding shortages is the first step in protecting your loved one and suing a care home for neglect. Read on for our insights on care home neglect. 

The State of Elder Care 

Elder care in the U.S. is at a historic breaking point. Surveys by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living reveal that 99% of nursing homes and 86% of assisted living facilities are experiencing a staffing shortage.

Qualified caregivers aren’t readily available, yet the population continues to age. U.S. Census data shows that the number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to increase by 42% by 2050. 

Put simply, there are few hands tackling more than they can handle. Countless nursing home facilities are ill equipped to care for a high volume of patients — but what is the reason?

The Shortage Explained 

Our attorneys for nursing home negligence know that staff shortages are not the result of a single issue. Instead, they stem from a perfect storm of challenges built up over time. 

Some frequently cited reasons for shortages include: 

• Limited qualified applicants, especially for roles such as CNAs and RNs
• Low pay and limited benefits
• Minimal career advancement opportunities
• High stress, emotional fatigue and physical strain 
• Strong competition from other healthcare sectors
• Minimal onboarding and training 

These factors, among others, have left facilities struggling to hire and retain enough qualified caregivers to meet an acceptable standard of care. 

The Dangers Posed 

In response to a shortage, nursing homes may stretch existing staff members thin — or hire unqualified individuals to fill the gaps. This may result in multiple types of care home neglect, such as:

• Physical Neglect. Staff may fail to meet a resident’s physical needs for safety, comfort and cleanliness. Common examples include malnutrition, dehydration and unsanitary conditions.
  
• Medical Neglect. Staff may fail to provide proper and timely medical care, which may cause health conditions to worsen or emerge. Common examples include bedsores, untreated infections and medication errors.
  
• Emotional Neglect. Staff may fail to provide for a resident’s psychological well-being, causing distress that leads to mental and physical decline. Common examples include isolation, intimidation or ignoring requests for assistance. 

The Time for Action 

The warning signs of care home neglect are often subtle. Seniors may not recognize the neglect on their own or may feel unsafe sharing their experiences with their family. 

As such, our attorneys for nursing home negligence advise that you look out for the following warning signs:

• Poor personal hygiene
• Unsanitary conditions
• Unexplained injuries
• Sudden or rapid weight loss
• Changes in behavior
• Untreated medical conditions
• Avoidant staff members

The Next Steps 

Though we empathize with the challenges of elder care, staffing shortages do not negate the harm seniors experience. You and your loved one deserve justice after experiencing neglect — and Roman & Boock is here to provide legal support. 

With 100 years of combined experience, our attorneys are prepared to take on your care home neglect case. Contact Roman & Boock for a free consultation at 314.754.1500 or potentialclients@boocklaw.com.