Nursing homes provide an essential service to their communities. They care for our elderly loved ones who can no longer care for themselves or continue to live safely on their own.
It’s no secret that the United States is experiencing a healthcare worker shortage. What does that mean for the nation’s elderly population?
Errors are more likely
Florida is making improvements in its healthcare staffing, but is still expected to see a shortage of 59,100 nurses by 2035. Conversely, Florida has the second-highest population of residents aged 65 and older. That number will likely increase as the Baby Boomer generation continues to hit retirement age, and approximately 70% of them will need long-term care services at some point in their lives.
Understaffed nursing homes can have devastating consequences for the residents who live there. Risks include:
- Delayed response time: Many residents depend on their caregivers for basic needs, such as dressing, hygiene and toileting. Without enough staff, residents are required to wait for help. This can result in bedsores for residents unable to get out of bed. Other residents may try to walk to the bathroom independently. A broken hip resulting from a fall increases the risk of mortality among older adults.
- Medication errors: When employees rush through med passes, it’s more likely that prescriptions will be misread, the wrong dosage will be administered or the medication will be skipped altogether. These mistakes can result in worsening health conditions or even be life-threatening in some cases.
- Abuse and neglect: Fewer workers trying to accomplish more means that some essential care will be missed. Dirty fingernails, bedsores, dried food on faces, clothing and wheelchairs are all signs of neglect. In addition, burnout and frustration are common among staff and can sometimes lead to abusive behavior.
Our elderly loved ones deserve loving care from nursing home providers. Understaffing is not an acceptable excuse for putting residents at risk. If your loved one was injured at a nursing home, you will want to discuss your situation with someone who can review the details and determine if you have a personal injury case. One way to effect change is to hold nursing homes accountable for their actions.