When we entrust the care of our elderly loved ones to a nursing home, we expect they will receive attentive, compassionate care in a safe environment. But far too often, that trust is broken. Chronic understaffing plagues many nursing homes in Ohio and across the nation, leading to rampant neglect. Overworked caregivers simply cannot provide adequate care to all their residents, and basic needs go unmet, resulting in suffering, injury, illness, and even death.
As attorneys who represent victims of nursing home neglect, we see the tragic impact of understaffing every day. Understaffing in nursing homes is a root cause of neglect, and facilities that prioritize profits over safe staffing levels must be held accountable.
The Disturbing Reality of Understaffed Nursing Homes
Regulations require that nursing homes provide “sufficient nursing staff” to meet residents’ needs.
However many facilities interpret this loosely and operate with bare-bones staffing to cut costs. Low staffing ratios mean residents often don’t receive basic care like repositioning, hygiene, toileting, hydration, feeding, mobility assistance, and more on a timely basis, if at all. This leads directly to neglect.
Consider some shocking facts:
- Over 75% of nursing homes do not have enough staff to provide adequate care
- On average, a resident receives just 45 minutes of care from a registered nurse per day
- Staffing levels are lowest on weekends even though resident needs stay the same
- Many facilities underreport their staffing numbers to regulators
- Preventable deaths, injuries, and infections are 2-3 times higher at facilities with low staffing
Residents’ care is sacrificed as facilities maintain insufficient staffing ratios to boost their bottom line. Chronic understaffing is a recipe for neglect.
Understaffing in Nursing Homes Fueled by High Turnover and Burnout
Understaffing in nursing homes is made worse by high turnover and burnout among caregivers.
With too few staff, overworked caregivers face crushing workloads, mandatory overtime, and minimal support. Many are underpaid and lack proper training. These stressful working conditions take a heavy toll, leading to high rates of burnout.
Over half of nursing home aides and nurses experience burnout due to understaffing and overwork. Burned-out staff are more likely to make errors, miss signs of illness, and provide substandard care.
Many quit as a result, fueling constant turnover. The average nursing home has an annual turnover rate of over 50% for nursing staff.
Facilities face a revolving door of caregivers, leaving residents with little consistency in their care. Chronic understaffing feeds this vicious burnout-turnover cycle that puts residents at further risk of neglect.
Failure to Meet Basic Needs Causes Suffering
When nursing homes are chronically understaffed, there are simply not enough caregivers to meet residents’ daily needs in a timely way. Needs go unmet for hours or even days, and suffering ensues.
Residents are left alone for long periods and calls for help go unanswered. Stories of residents left to sit in their own waste, with unchanged briefs or soaked bedding, are horrifyingly common.
Residents miss meals or are not assisted with eating, leading to malnutrition and dehydration.
Immobile residents are not repositioned, causing bedsores. Those who need help moving are confined to beds or chairs, losing mobility and independence.
Neglect stemming from understaffing causes real harm and suffering. A recent study found that residents at understaffed facilities were:
- 22% more likely to experience hunger
- 51% more likely to report inadequate hygiene
- 46% more likely to have unmet toileting needs
- 36% more likely to suffer from bedsores, infections, and other health issues
- 18% more likely to experience pain that went untreated
The consequences of understaffing in nursing homes are devastating. Rampant neglect robs residents of their health, dignity, and quality of life. No one should suffer because facilities cut corners on staffing to save money.
How To Spot Signs of Understaffing and Neglect
If you have a loved one in a nursing home, be vigilant for red flags that may indicate the facility is understaffed and neglect is occurring.
Common warning signs include:
- Unanswered call lights
- Residents left alone for long periods
- Lack of staff presence and interaction with residents
- Frequent turnover in caregiving staff
- Your loved one’s personal hygiene and appearance are neglected
- Unexplained weight loss, which may indicate missed meals
- Bedsores, skin breakdown, or infections
- Unchanged linens or clothing
- Frequent falls or injuries
- Withdrawn or despondent behavior in your loved one
If you spot these signs, do not hesitate to speak up, ask questions and demand answers. Make your concerns known to administrators and document everything. Consider reporting the situation to regulators. You may need to move your loved one to a new facility if problems persist. Consulting with an experienced nursing home neglect attorney can also help you understand your loved one’s rights and options.
How to Report Understaffed Nursing Homes
If you suspect a nursing home is understaffed and neglect is occurring, you can report it. In Ohio, there are several ways to file a complaint about substandard care at a nursing home:
- Contact the facility administrator or director of nursing directly to report your concerns. Follow up in writing.
- File a complaint with the Ohio Department of Health, which licenses and inspects nursing homes. You can file online, by phone, by mail, or in person. ODH will investigate.
- If you suspect abuse, neglect, or a crime has occurred, contact local law enforcement to file a police report. You can also report suspected abuse or neglect to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
- The Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for nursing home residents and can help resolve issues. You can file a complaint with the ombudsman.
You can file complaints anonymously if needed. Nursing homes are prohibited from retaliating against you or your loved one for reporting issues. Document the issues in detail and keep records of all correspondence.
Holding Understaffed Nursing Homes Accountable
Neglect caused by understaffing causes real harm. Nursing homes that understaff to prioritize profits over quality care must be held accountable. Residents and families may have the right to take legal action against facilities that fail to maintain adequate staffing, resulting in neglect and suffering.
If your loved one has suffered from nursing home neglect in Ohio, we can help. Our dedicated attorneys have extensive experience holding negligent facilities accountable and fighting for the justice residents deserve. Taking action sends a message that neglect is unacceptable and forces facilities to change their practices. Let us help your loved one get the justice they deserve. Contact us today to discuss your case.
