When loved ones live in long-term care facilities, their friends and family members are relying on facility staff members to give them the attention and care they need. However, residents are not always treated with dignity; there are times when abuse happens. One of the dangers that leads to abuse in nursing homes is that not all facilities are fully staffed with qualified employees. There are Florida laws in place to protect individuals who live in nursing homes. Often, there are staffing levels laid out within contracts signed by family members. Assisted living facilities and nursing homes are required to keep buildings staffed with the number of employees they have stated will be present within their contracts. If you believe someone you love has been a victim of abuse in an assisted living facility, talk to a Sarasota nursing home abuse attorney. Reasons Low Staffing Levels Are Risky Dangers are present in facilities that do not have enough trained employees caring for residents. Abuse may be more likely when staff is overworked, stressed, and angry. Sometimes staff is forced by management to work double shifts due to staff levels. When this happens, the staff is tired and frustrated. Overtaxed workers may have short tempers and vulnerable older adults often require patience and understanding. Some issues that can arise from understaffing:
- Unclean rooms and common areas.
- Environments that are unsafe and full of debris.
- Dangers of dehydration, bad nutrition, and malnutrition.
- Risk of infections and bedsores.
- Falls because no staff was available to help an individual with mobility issues.
- Personal hygiene is not attended to, so residents are not bathed or groomed properly.
- Medical and prescription errors.
- Health concerns not monitored.