New Jersey Nursing Homes Struggle With Staffing
Chronic staffing shortages continue to be a problem across the country, and nursing homes are one of the most heavily hit industries. There are more Americans who aren’t working today than there were before the pandemic. This staffing crisis isn’t attributed to a lack of open positions in the country, but research has shown millions of people retired during the pandemic, with more to come. Davis & Brusca, LLC shares that health services are a heavily hit industry, nursing homes among them. In many sectors, staffing problems may impact productivity, but a lack of competent staff in a nursing home setting is not just problematic; it can be dangerous, even deadly. Nursing home staffing issues can impact the facility’s ability to provide services to residents that uphold the medical standard of care.
New Jersey Legislation was passed in 2020, imposing minimum staffing requirements for state nursing homes to ensure residents receive proper care and mitigate concerns of abuse and negligence in nursing homes. Our nursing home abuse lawyer NJ victims, recommends shares that nursing homes must apply the following:
- Day Shifts: there must be at least one certified nursing aid for every eight residents
- Evening Shifts: there must be at least one care staff for every ten residents
- Night Shifts: there must be at least one care staff for every fourteen residents
Unfortunately, according to recent studies, nearly 59% of state nursing homes fail to meet this new standard. As a result, certified nursing aides and other staff are often exhausted, overworked, and burnt out. With low staff levels and overworked employees, nursing homes breed environments for mismanagement, where residents receive care that falls well below acceptable standards.
Despite the new legislation, nursing home residents who reside in understaffed settings are at grave risk. Victims of nursing home abuse and neglect stand to experience significant damages such as injuries, physical pain, cognitive challenges, emotional pain, and more. Family members of loved ones who receive nursing home care should be especially aware of the risks. Remaining involved in the care of their loved ones and regularly visiting is one way they can reduce the risk of mistreatment. It’s important to note that these measures may not be enough, and loved ones should be able to identify signs of potential abuse in nursing homes. If you are a loved one visiting family, and you notice any of the following, prompt action should be taken to protect your loved one:
- Unexplained Injuries
- Bedsores
- Restricted Access
- Chronic Illness or Infections
- Malnutrition/Dehydration
- Fractured Bones
- Bruises or Abrasions
- Changes in Mood or Mental Health
- Soiled or Stained Clothing & Bedding
- Poor Hygiene
- +More
Aging relatives being cared for in nursing home settings are among the most vulnerable people in the country. If your loved one has suffered injuries from nursing home abuse or neglect, action should be taken to protect them from suffering further damages. If you suspect nursing home abuse, speak with your loved one and nursing home administration; keep detailed records, and consider filing a complaint. It’s important to note that if your loved one is in imminent danger, you must secure their safety and ensure they receive prompt medical treatment; this may require them to be removed from the nursing home setting.
Damages from abuse are lasting, and victims need a NJ nursing home abuse lawyer from Davis & Brusca, LLC, to represent them every step. Our firm can not only help you regain compensation for the damages but help hold the negligent nursing home accountable for their actions.
