Older adults living in a nursing home may not be capable of meeting all of their own daily needs. They live in a nursing home because they have medical requirements that they cannot fulfill or functional limitations that prevent them from meeting their own needs. The people staffing nursing homes ensure that older adults take their medication on time and receive support with personal hygiene.
Their job tasks also include handling day-to-day practical support needs, such as meal preparation and laundry. Ideally, those living in nursing homes have compassionate, attentive professionals providing them with routine support. Realistically, the standard of care in many nursing homes can be far lower than families anticipate given the prices paid for a bed in a long-term care facility.
Understaffing has become a widespread issue at many Ohio nursing homes, and the lack of adequate workers compromises the standard of care for vulnerable older adults. Research into staffing issues at nursing homes indicates that more than a third have consistent issues maintaining adequate employees.
What can understaffing mean for the people at a nursing home?
Less support and longer waits
Residents in nursing homes are often dependent on the professionals working there for everything from showering and dressing to reaching the dining facilities. They may request staff assistance when they want to change, go to the bathroom or move out of their rooms.
When there aren’t enough workers on hand, residents end up waiting longer for support during tasks that they cannot safely accomplish alone. In some cases, lengthy delays might result in falls, as people may try to handle matters on their own despite requiring support.
Workers may also cut corners while providing support to residents. They might overlook warning signs of bed sores or indicators of cognitive decline that may alter the services required for the safety of the resident.
The consequences of staff burnout
The practical implications of understaffing on day-to-day tasks are not the only consideration. Nursing home employees spread too thin by their employers may become resentful. Since they can’t express those frustrations to their employers, they may end up taking out their anger on residents.
Underpaid, overworked professionals might become physically or verbally abusive. They might also intentionally ignore requests from residents they view as unpleasant or challenging. When a lack of adequate staff compromises the standard of care for those living in a nursing home, older adults are at risk of injuries, illness and a lower overall quality of life.
Inadequate support because of understaffing can have dire implications for those dependent on professional caregivers. Pursuing a nursing home negligence or abuse lawsuit could help people demand accountability when their loved ones suffer due to nursing home practices.