What Causes Nursing Home Abuse?
It is a sad but true fact that nursing home abuse happens for many reasons. The different causes of nursing home abuse depend on the specific facility, the standard of care it provides, the quality of staff members, and how the home is managed. Facilities that do not have adequate resources and professional supervision and management are very difficult to operate. This causes the standard of care to suffer, perpetuating neglect and abuse. Below, the different causes of nursing home abuse are examined further.
Understaffing
Nursing homes can only provide the high quality of care that is expected of them when they are fully staffed. Nursing home staff members are only able to provide the highest standard of care when they have other supporting staff members and work in a team environment. When nursing homes are understaffed, responsibilities are not fulfilled, important tasks are neglected, and the standard of care provided to residents starts to slip. This is largely due to the fact that the few staff members who are on the job need to prioritize a specific resident’s needs over others.
If a nursing home is regularly understaffed, it can lead to staff members feeling stressed and even hostile. They may even start taking their frustrations out on residents by physically or verbally abusing them.
Lack of Training
Nursing homes may be fully staffed but if those staff members are not properly trained or they lack experience, they cannot properly perform all of their employment duties. Staff members should also receive continuous training so they can accommodate the changing needs of residents. Without proper training regarding how to provide medical attention, personal care, and support for residents, serious consequences can ensue.
Underpaid Staff Members
Most nursing homes are private businesses and as such, they do not have standard pay rates for their employees. Some staff members may receive a higher wage based on their experience or expertise, while others may only receive the minimum wage. Lower-paid staff members may feel undervalued and underpaid, which can cause them to lose motivation. Without proper motivation, staff members may not feel compelled to go above and beyond for their residents and so, they may not receive proper care. As morale within a nursing home continues to drop, it can create a culture in which low standards of care are considered acceptable.
No Consequences
Unfortunately, one of the most common causes of nursing home abuse is a lack of consequences for staff members and facilities who commit it. Even when nursing home abuse is reported, state and local authorities may fail to investigate it. This allows a vicious cycle of nursing home abuse to continue despite repeated instances of neglect, abuse, or exploitation.
Call Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Tampa Today
If you suspect that your loved one is suffering harm in a long-term care facility, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney at Kohn Law can help. Our experienced attorney can determine who is liable for the abuse, advise on the damages that may be available in your case, and explain your legal options. Call us now at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to request a consultation.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0400/0400.html
