Dangers of Understaffed Nursing Homes in Georgia
If your aging loved one requires nursing home care, you will be relying on the facility to provide him or her with the care and attention necessary to continue living a rich and fulfilling life. Nursing homes have an immense responsibility to care for their residents, and the only way to meet that obligation is through adequate staffing. However, the dangers of understaffed nursing homes are many, and understaffing happens much too often. If your loved one has suffered the unfortunate consequences of living in an understaffed nursing home, consider contacting the experienced Atlanta nursing home neglect attorneys at Hall & Lampros, LLP, by calling 404-876-8100 to schedule a consultation.
Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
According to the Georgia Department of Human Services, abuse of the aging is one of the most unrecognized and least reported issues in the United States. The distinction between nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect is that abuse involves intentionally causing harm, while neglect is a failure to provide appropriate care and attention. Consequently, when nursing homes are understaffed, the risk of both neglect and abuse rises. When the staff at your loved one’s nursing home is spread too thin, the dangers of understaffed nursing homes may become apparent in the care that he or she is, or is not, receiving, which can lead to problems for the resident in the following areas:
- Overall health
- Nutrition and hydration
- Medications
- Social well-being
- Emotional health
- Ability to heal from injuries and illness
Factors in Understaffing
Many people who have loved ones living in nursing homes have experienced staffing levels that are not sufficient for providing adequate care. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has provided a list of nursing homes with a history of problems in their quality of care. Some of the factors of inappropriate staffing include the following:
- Significant and frequent fluctuations in the day-to-day availability of staff
- On the days that are most affected by staffing shortages, nursing home staff members are often required to care for almost twice as many residents as they do when the full staff is available
- Staffing data often comes from nursing homes’ own reporting, which can be inflated, while payroll records offer more accurate information
- Staffing fluctuations can lead to care caps, but residents require the same level of care daily rather than only when there is enough staff to provide it
If you fear that your loved one has been a victim of the dangers of understaffed nursing homes, the compassionate Atlanta nursing home neglect attorneys at Hall & Lampros, LLP, may be able to help you get the care your loved one deserves.
Signs of Nursing Home Understaffing
A payroll analysis performed by the federal government found that its own nursing home five-star rating system often inflated staffing levels and that understaffing is far more common than previously believed. Some of the signs that the nursing home caring for your loved one may be understaffed include the following:
- Things appear chaotic when you visit
- Your phone calls often go unanswered
- You witness a high turnover rate in the staff
- You have questions that no one at the facility can answer
- The facility’s overall communication with you is generally poor
- The nursing home does not appear to be clean
- Your loved one is not receiving his or her prescribed medications at the appropriate times
If your loved one is displaying any of the concerning signs, symptoms, or behaviors listed below, they might be a result of the dangers of understaffed nursing homes. The following issues should not be ignored:
- A sudden, unexplained weight loss or a gradual but consistent weight loss
- A sudden display of increased anxiety
- A sudden change in mood or demeanor
- Signs of newly acquired depression
- The presence of bedsores
- An unexplained change in overall personal hygiene
- Unexplained injuries
- Signs of malnutrition or dehydration, including immense hunger and thirst
Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Neglect Attorney Today
The dangers of understaffed nursing homes as described above are best avoided completely. Research your nursing home choices in advance if you have the option, avoiding those that have a history of understaffing, neglect, or abuse. If you have done your due diligence but still believe that your aging loved one has been harmed by understaffing, a knowledgeable Atlanta nursing home neglect attorney at Hall & Lampros, LLP, can skillfully advocate for a resolution that upholds your relative’s rights and best interests. Consider calling 404-876-8100 today to learn more and to schedule a consultation.
Chris has successfully represented numerous clients in catastrophic personal injury, employment law matters, class action, consumer protection, business tort, and legislative matters involving multi-million-dollar damages.