In order to give nursing home residents the proper care they need, there are rules in place. These may regulate how many staff members must be working at any given time or what type of care is required for each resident. For example, there are regulations that require at least one registered nurse to be present at the facility—someone who can provide a higher level of care than unlicensed staff.
While these rules are well-intentioned, nursing homes often struggle to follow them. Some workers who were interviewed said there simply weren’t enough people on-site at one time, so residents were not always receiving the care they needed. This isn’t necessarily because nursing homes are intentionally ignoring the regulations. It’s often because the facility hasn’t hired enough staff to meet the needs of its residents.
How this can lead to neglect
When many people think of nursing home neglect, they imagine that caregivers are simply not doing their jobs. For example, a resident needing help with medication but being ignored because staff are distracted by personal conversations or using their phones.
While these situations can occur, the reality is often more complicated. In many cases, staff members are doing their best. They may be hurrying from one resident to the next, responding to call buttons and trying to provide as much assistance as possible. But if the nursing home is severely understaffed, it becomes impossible for even the most well-meaning staff to keep up. A resident may experience neglect not because someone is ignoring them, but because there simply aren’t enough caregivers to meet everyone’s needs.
Do you believe your loved one has been suffering from neglect in a nursing home? This kind of neglect can lead to serious injuries, a declining quality of life and many other long-term issues. Be sure you understand the legal options available to protect your loved one and hold the facility accountable.
