Overworked Nursing Home Staff Is Often a Sign of Potential Neglect and Abuse

Nursing home facilities are often understaffed, undertrained, and overwhelmed.  Employees are overworked and unhappy, two qualities that effect judgment and ultimately lead to poor resident care.  The term “nursing home facility” is misleading, as many facilities do not have a registered nurse present all hours of the day.  The majority of the care received is at the hands of aides.  Aides who are paid poorly and are often not given the proper training to care for the wide range of health concerns of their residents.

While individuals with criminal backgrounds do manage to become hired by facilities on occasion, this is not the main source of nursing home abuse.  Nursing home aides often have responsibilities that are far more than they can handle.  The number of residents they are responsible for caring for in any given shift is too great.  So they are forced to pick and choose who they can give their attention to.  This creates a frustrating work environment because the aides are aware that residents are being neglected, but they feel powerless as they simply cannot be in two places at once.  Aides are forced to determine on their own which residents should receive greater priority and it is overwhelming.

When the turnover rate for nursing home aides is high in a facility it is and a good indicator of just how emotionally taxing the job can be.  Dedicated, hard working individuals are leaving their jobs in nursing home facilities because too much is expected of them.  Unfortunately, neglect and poor care happens, but it is not because the employees are bad people.  It is often the result of a drought in resources that forces employees to give poor care.  Better care can be achieved when facilities are properly staffed and ensure there are enough nurses and aides present to meet the needs of the residents.

Even nursing homes that are very expensive are struggling to solve these care issues.  Money cannot always buy a better nursing home experience.  Residents receive proper care when facilities recognize the value in being properly staffed and well managed.  Every nursing home resident deserves a comfortable and caring experience.

If you wish to learn more about nursing home neglect and the level of staff responsibility, contact Thomas Law Offices for more information.  We represent families taking legal action against nursing home facility negligence.