When it comes to our elderly loved ones, we want them to have the best care. Sometimes, that means putting them into a nursing home that can focus on them, nurture them, and make sure they’re okay when you can’t be there. While this may be your goal when it comes to putting them into a nursing home, there is a crisis at hand. Nursing homes across the U.S. are understaffed. Which, in turn, may lead to your loved one not receiving the care that was intended for them. In any case, if you notice that your loved one’s nursing home is not up to par, it may be time to consider another facility. However, making sure that they don’t face the same issue, is extremely important.
Understaffed: Nursing Homes in Need of Help
This issue is a prevalent, and troublesome, one for elderly care facilities. However, it’s an even larger issue for the residents at hand. Due to the lack of staff, many residents are not getting the necessary care that they need to maintain their quality of life. Furthermore, many residents in understaffed nursing homes are susceptible to bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, pneumonia, and serious infection. Ultimately, those in a nursing home need the care provided by nursing staff. Therefore, when that staff is not available, many of them will be stuck, in need of medication, and help to perform basic maneuvers.
Is it the nursing home’s fault?
Many elderly people are on a strict regimen when it comes to medications, diet, and bathroom procedures. Therefore, when those needs fall to the wayside— it can lead to those complications listed above. But, who deserves the blame? Where does the problem start? 95% of nursing homes in America are understaffed, but who’s to blame for this statistic? Many nursing homes face fines and penalties for not having the correct amount of staff. But, many nursing homes fall through the cracks over and over again, because the problem is so widespread.
When it comes down to it, it isn’t our job to fix the problem. But, rather, to avoid it when it comes to making sure our loved ones are in a safe place. So, do your research. Make multiple visits to the facilities— both planned, and unplanned. Maybe even consider volunteering a few hours one day. By doing this, you’ll be able to get a good feel for the environment, how the patients feel about it, and whether the level of care is to your standards. At the end of the day, it’s our job to make sure our loved ones are receiving proper care, and putting that trust into someone else is a big deal. Make sure you do your due diligence beforehand.