Stephen Schultz | March 6, 2025 | Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing homes and life care centers are essential in providing long-term daily living assistance to the elderly community. However, complaints about various aspects of care in these facilities are common, with concerns often arising about staffing, living conditions, and neglect and abuse.
Understanding the most common issues residents face can help them and their loved ones make informed decisions and take appropriate action when issues arise.
This article discusses three prevalent complaints about nursing homes, why they happen, and the steps needed to address them.
1. Inadequate Staffing And Care Deficiencies
One of nursing homes’ most frequently cited concerns is a lack of employees. When these facilities are understaffed, residents often do not receive timely or sufficient care, which can lead to potential harm and neglect.
Some of the consequences of a lack of manpower include:
- Delays in assistance with daily activities like dressing, bathing, and eating
- Missed or incorrect administering of medications
- Lack of social engagement, often leading to emotional distress and depression
- Increased risk of hazards like falling due to lack of supervision and negligence
Insufficient personnel in nursing homes often means inadequate care, leading to concerns for the elderly patients who live there.
Considerations When Evaluating Lack Of Staff Concerns
Nursing home workforce issues can be addressed in a variety of ways when you are considering different facilities. Some of the things to keep in mind include the following:
- Use federal guidelines to ensure the center has the required number of caregivers per resident.
- Visit at various times of day to observe employee responsiveness.
- Report any concerns to management and to state agencies responsible for overseeing the center, including an ombudsman.
It’s important to be thorough with your investigations of these facilities before fully committing to one. Doing research and making inquiries beforehand will likely save time and reduce future stress.
2. Poor Living Conditions And Facility Upkeep
Nursing homes should provide their residents with clean, safe, and comfortable environments.
Some signs of a substandard environment include:
- Unkempt facilities with dirty and dusty common areas, soiled linens, and unpleasant odors
- Poor food choices that lack nutritional benefit and variety and are improperly handled
- Unsafe situations on site, including slippery floors, broken equipment, and inadequate security
- Reports of frequent infections and bedsores due to unhygienic conditions and lack of staff to provide proper medical attention
In the state of Missouri, nursing home regulations have high expectations for sanitation and infection control. When a facility fails to meet these requirements, it jeopardizes residents’ health and could be held liable for resident issues.
Considerations When Addressing Facility Concerns
When investigating a nursing home, it’s important to look into any complaints regarding the facility and consider them before deciding. If you need to report a concern, it’s necessary to take the following steps:
- Document any problems with both written information and photos.
- Report concerns to management and request improvements promptly.
- If the issues persist, contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), as DHSS has the authority to investigate and enforce standards.
Poor living conditions can negatively impact many aspects of nursing home residents’ lives. Proper measures to prevent or change these circumstances can ensure accountability and help prevent future issues from arising.
3. Abuse And Neglect
Among the most serious complaints about nursing homes are those regarding abuse and neglect by staff members. Whether they are the result of a lack of employees, improper training, or intentional misconduct, these allegations are not to be taken lightly.
There are several types of nursing home abuse, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and even financial exploitation.
In one survey, 88.5% of nursing care and related staff reported witnessing or suspecting abuse of residents in homes where they had worked previously. Similarly, in another study, over 95% of residents of these facilities reported witnessing acts of maltreatment or neglect — or experiencing it themselves.
Reporting Abuse And Neglect
Reporting abusive situations and concerns of neglect in a nursing home is extremely important. There are a few steps you can take when filing a complaint or a concern regarding these facilities.
First, try speaking with management and documenting all concerns. You can also contact Missouri’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates for nursing home residents. If any immediate danger is suspected, contact Adult Protective Services or local law enforcement.
How To File A Complaint Against A Missouri Nursing Home
If you suspect that a nursing home in the state of Missouri is neglecting or abusing its residents, or if a lack of sufficient care is cause for concern, you should lodge a complaint immediately.
There are several organizations that can assist in these circumstances:
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS): File a complaint online or call the DHSS hotline at 1-800-392-0210.
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: This provides advocacy for residents and, when necessary, can intervene on their behalf.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): These handle complaints that are made about federally funded nursing home facilities.
- Local Law Enforcement: If immediate danger is a concern, the police should be contacted to ensure a swift response to the issue.
Filing a formal complaint will help ensure that state agencies investigate the situation and take appropriate action to improve nursing home care and the safety of their residents.
Addressing Issues In Nursing Homes
The grievances surrounding nursing home facilities stem from systemic issues like inadequate staffing, poor facility conditions, and situations involving abuse and neglect. By recognizing these points of concern, families can advocate for the best care for their loved ones, ensuring they live in a safe, clean, and dignified environment.
If you suspect abuse or neglect of a nursing home resident, report it immediately to the appropriate authorities. You are not only protecting those you love but also looking out for others who may be experiencing similar circumstances and are unable to advocate for themselves.
Contact the St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers
If you’ve been injured, please contact the attorneys at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation, we proudly serve all throughout Missouri, including St. Louis County and Boone County and we have offices in St. Louis, Ladue, Columbia, Creve Coeur.
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Louis Office
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St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 444-4444
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Columbia, MO 65201
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Creve Coeur, MO 63141
