One of the biggest threats to the wellbeing of nursing home residents is understaffing. When facilities do not have enough qualified caregivers, residents suffer. From poor hygiene to life-threatening neglect, understaffing can create dangerous conditions that often go unnoticed until it's too late. 

Why Are Nursing Homes Understaffed? 

Many nursing homes are owned by larger corporations that are responsible for allocating funds to the facility, requiring that facility to operate on a tight budget. This distribution of funds often prioritizes profits over patient care.

Sometimes, understaffing happens due to unavoidable factors, such as a lack of job applicants. However, in other cases, nursing home owners and managers intentionally keep staffing levels low. 

Common Causes of Understaffing in Nursing Homes

Some common causes of understaffing in nursing homes include:

• Intentional Cost-Cutting - Some nursing home owners deliberately keep staffing levels low to reduce labor costs and maximize profits. 
• High Turnover Rates - low wages, burnout, and poor working conditions lead to frequent staff departures, making it hard to maintain consistent staffing levels. 
• Misallocation of Funds - Instead of investing in direct patient care, corporate owners may divert funds to executive salaries, marketing, or shareholder profits. 
• Lack of Regulatory Enforcement - Some nursing homes take advantage of weak oversight at both the state and federal levels, knowing that they can get away with operating with fewer staff than needed. 
• Workforce Shortages - A limited pool of qualified caregivers can make it difficult to fill open positions, even when facilities want to hire. 
• Increased Demand for Care - As the elderly population grows, many facilities struggle to keep up with the demand for services without increasing staff. 

The Consequences of Understaffing

When a nursing home lacks adequate staff, it is the residents and their families who suffer. Understaffing in nursing homes means that residents are more likely to experience:

1. Increased Risk of Falls and Injuries. 

Without enough caregivers to assist residents with mobility, transfers, or supervision, falls become more common, leading to fractures, head injuries, and even wrongful death. 

2. Bedsores. 

Residents who rely on staff for bathing, changing clothes, and turning or repositioning in bed may be left unattended for long periods, leading to infections, skin breakdown, and bedsores. 

3. Malnutrition and Dehydration. 

Understaffed facilities may not have enough caregivers to ensure residents eat and drink regularly, increasing the risk of malnutrition and dehydration, including related illnesses such as weight loss, bedsores, cognitive decline, urinary tract infections, or bowel obstruction. 

4. Medication Errors.

Overworked staff may forget to administer medications on time, give the wrong medication to a resident, or give incorrect dosages, leading to serious health complications or, in some instances, wrongful death. 

5. Increased Emotional and Psychological Harm. 

Residents in understaffed facilities often suffer from loneliness, depression, and anxiety due to lack of attention and emotional support. 

Legal Rights of Nursing Home Residents

Federal and Wisconsin state laws require nursing homes to provide adequate care. 

Under the Nursing Home Reform Act, residents have the right to:

• Freedom from abuse, mistreatment and neglect. 
• Proper medical treatment. 
• Assistance with daily living needs. 
• A safe and clean living environment. 

Wisconsin nursing homes are also governed by Chapter DHS 132. Under DHS 132, facilities must:

• Provide care that meets each resident's individualized needs. 
• Maintain residents' cleanliness and grooming while promoting skin integrity and preventing bedsores. 
• Administer medications safely and accurately. 
• Offer a nourishing, well-balanced diet that meets both daily nutritional and specialty dietary needs. 

If a facility fails to meet these standards due to understaffing, it may be held legally responsible. 

What Can Families Do?

If you suspect your loved one is suffering due to understaffing, you can take the following steps:

1. Visit the facility often and observe staff interactions. 
2. Speak with nursing home administrators about your concerns.
3. Document any signs of neglect (e.g., photos, written reports, medical records). 
4. File a complaint with the Wisconsin Division of Quality Assurance or your state's Department of Health if the facility is located in a state other than Wisconsin. 
5. Consult an experienced nursing home abuse attorney to explore legal options. 

Holding Negligent Wisconsin Nursing Homes Accountable

Understaffing is not an excuse for inadequate care. Nursing homes have a legal obligation to provide sufficient staffing to meet residents' needs. If they fail to do so and a resident is injured as a result, families may have grounds for a negligence lawsuit against the facility and any larger, parent corporation or management company associated with the nursing home. 

Your Wisconsin Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Understaffing in nursing homes is a serious issue that can lead to life-threatening neglect. Families must remain vigilant and take action if they suspect their loved ones are suffering. If you believe understaffing has caused harm to your loved one, seeking legal advice can help hold negligent nursing homes accountable. At Lojewski Abuse & Injury Law, Milwaukee nursing home abuse attorney, Kristen Lojewski, understands what it takes to fight against these large corporations. Call Kristen today for a free consultation and to be seen, be heard, be safe, and be championed.