Understaffing can be a form of nursing home abuse when it prevents residents from receiving the care and attention they need. Unfortunately, understaffing is a major issue in nursing homes across Wisconsin. When facilities do not have enough staff, residents may suffer from neglect, medical errors, isolation, and even intentional harm.
Boller & Vaughan is dedicated to advocating for residents of Wisconsin nursing homes, community-based residential facilities, assisted living facilities, and adult family homes. Victims of elder abuse and their families face significant challenges, and Boller & Vaughan is committed to helping them seek justice and move forward with dignity. We have secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements, including some of the largest recoveries in Wisconsin history.
One particular concern with understaffing in nursing homes is the risk of abuse. Nursing home abuse can take many different forms. While verbal berating and physical attacks are clear examples, neglect and isolation are also considered forms of nursing home abuse.
Sadly, all forms of nursing home abuse are alarmingly common. Understaffing contributes to nursing home abuse by increasing the likelihood of these harmful conditions. If you have concerns—whether for yourself or an aging loved one—you should not ignore them. Instead, seek professional help as soon as possible.
Understaffing contributes to the risk of nursing home abuse in a variety of ways. When a nursing home does not have enough caregivers, residents may experience:
These issues—among others—can leave residents exposed to various forms of abuse. Some of the most common forms of nursing home abuse linked to understaffing include:
Understaffing can be nursing home abuse when it leads to inadequate care and support. If a facility does not have enough staff, it cannot meet residents’ needs in a timely manner. The quality of care and support services may also suffer, leaving residents vulnerable to health complications.
Lack of proper nutrition and hydration is another serious concern tied to understaffing-related nursing home abuse. When residents need assistance with eating and drinking, facilities must have enough staff available to ensure their basic needs are met. If they don’t, residents may experience dehydration and malnutrition, which can lead to severe health issues.
Medication errors are a major issue in understaffed nursing homes. When residents need daily medications, but staff are stretched too thin to ensure proper administration, the consequences can be life-threatening. Understaffing contributes to nursing home abuse by increasing the risk of medication errors, missed doses, and incorrect prescriptions.
Stress, fatigue, and rushing from one resident to the next can lead to negligent care. Even when staff members are doing their best, mistakes happen—sometimes with devastating consequences. Understaffing in nursing homes leads to neglect, as caregivers may be unable to provide the level of attention residents need to stay safe and healthy.
When staff members are overworked and fatigued, they are more likely to become frustrated. Unfortunately, this frustration can sometimes escalate into verbal or even physical abuse. Understaffing contributes to nursing home abuse by increasing stress levels, which can result in harmful behavior toward residents.
Understaffing often leads to residents being left alone for extended periods of time, which can have severe physical and psychological effects. Bedsores, malnutrition, inadequate hygiene, medication errors, anxiety, and depression are all serious concerns related to isolation due to understaffing in nursing homes.
In the most extreme cases, isolation can become abandonment. This happens when residents are left without any care or supervision for prolonged periods. Understaffing can be a form of nursing home abuse when it results in complete neglect, leaving vulnerable residents in distress with severe long-term consequences.
While understaffing may be an explanation for inadequate care, it is not an excuse. Nursing homes have a legal duty to provide residents with the care and support they need daily. If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered abuse due to understaffing in a Wisconsin nursing home, we strongly encourage you to seek legal help.
Do you have concerns about understaffing and nursing home abuse in a Wisconsin facility? If so, we can explain what you need to know and take legal action on your (or your loved one’s) behalf if necessary.Contact Boller & Vaughan today online or at (608) 268-0268 for a FREE case evaluation. We proudly serve clients in Madison and throughout Wisconsin.
Passive neglect is an issue in nursing homes across Wisconsin. While all nursing home residents are entitled to the care and support they need to live safely and comfortably, it is clear that nursing homes […]
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We live in Friendship, Wisconsin, and Boller & Vaughan came to our doorstep to discuss our mother’s wrongful death claim on a Saturday morning. Not only were we pleased with the large recovery, we were so thankful to have lawyers who were willing to explain to us every twist and turn along the way. It is great to know there is a law firm that will fight for the rights of elderly people all over Wisconsin.
Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan were incredible in working on my case and my daughter’s case. I was out of work and in the hospital with a new baby. Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan protected our rights and it was a pleasure to work with them. I hope never to be in another motor vehicle accident, however, if I am and I am injured, I will contact Boller & Vaughan immediately.
I was referred to Michelle through a friend. I have never had a better experience. It took a little over a year to get my settlement but the staff there stayed in constant contact and kept me in the loop. Oh, and Michelle actually got me MORE money than we discussed. I will refer anyone to this firm. Words cannot do justice the thanks that I have for Michelle and her staff (Mary especially) thank you guys so much!
After my husband died as a result of a motor vehicle accident, Boller & Vaughan spent countless hours talking with me, meeting with me in person, and making sure that I was okay. The drunk driver who hit us did not have any insurance, and we had to make a claim through our own insurance. Boller & Vaughan was fantastic at explaining the law to me and the handling of our claims.
After my son was injured in a daycare setting, Ms. Vaughan took the time to thoroughly investigate our case and my son’s injuries. Michele was approachable and had answers to our questions. Talking with her helped to relieve many of our anxieties.
