If your loved one is in a nursing home, the last thing you want to believe is that he or she could be being abused or neglected. Unfortunately, these cases happen all too often, so loved ones need to be vigilant. A common issue experienced in nursing homes is understaffing, which can lead to negligent care. If you suspect your loved one could be the victim of elder abuse or nursing home neglect, contact an attorney in Riverside to find out what your rights are.
Nursing home understaffing occurs when a home accepts more patients than they can adequately care for with the staff that they have. These staffing issues can be exacerbated when nursing homes try to compensate by hiring staff without proper background checks, further putting residents at risk. Understaffing can also lead to unreasonable overtime demands that can make staff careless and overstressed. Consistent understaffing leaves residents vulnerable to falls, missed medication doses, and sores and infections from inattentive personal hygiene assistance. Emotional distress is also possible. If your loved one exhibits these symptoms, contact an attorney to determine if you should file a lawsuit.