Nursing home neglect is a relatively common issue. Understaffing may force nursing home professionals to split their attention among too many residents. Burnout combined with low wages can leave workers struggling to find the motivation to be as efficient and compassionate as possible.
Frequently, negligence in a nursing home results in minor issues with facility cleanliness or resident care. However, negligence can quickly spiral out of control and lead to serious injuries or major medical consequences in some cases. Understanding how negligence puts residents at risk can help people demand accountability after an incident at a nursing home.
Unmet needs can lead to falls
One of the most common ways that nursing home negligence leads to injuries is through preventable falls. Many older adults need support to manage daily tasks because they are at risk of a fall. When residents don’t receive a response when they ask for support, they may try to handle tasks on their own.
Residents might fall in trying to dress themselves, take a shower or walk down to the dining room for a meal. Understaffing and burnout can both result in workers delaying their response to support requests from residents with major consequences.
Professionals can overlook major concerns
Professionals rushing through their tasks and dealing with too many demands on their time can easily overlook important details. They may fail to note that a resident’s condition has changed, leaving them at increased risk of a fall or elopement.
If workers don’t document declines in cognitive ability, they may not provide the support that keeps someone struggling with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia safe. Workers just trying to get through their basic job responsibilities could also overlook the early signs of bedsores or infestations.
They may only take action when the situation progresses to an alarming point. Proper intervention can prevent bedsores from worsening and infections from developing. Workers who are negligent due to burnout or too much demand on their time may fail to notice early warning signs of medical issues.
They may also cut corners regarding cleanliness and could transmit pathogens or pests to nursing home residents. Those splitting their attention could also make mistakes regarding the administration of medication, which can have serious consequences for the affected resident.
Speaking up when neglect culminates in a resident’s injury can help families demand accountability. A successful nursing home negligence lawsuit can compensate an affected family and motivate a facility to change its operating practices.