According to a recent survey by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), 94% of nursing homes and 81% of assisted living communities have faced a shortage of staff members recently. And more than half of the facilities surveyed are still actively trying to fill vacant positions. Many of the job openings include certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, dietary staff, and housekeeping.
The staff shortage trend continues due to the pandemic and many job openings available throughout all healthcare providers. You can read the full survey report here. Mark Parkinson, President & CEO, AHCA/NCAL said of the survey, “The survey results clearly indicate that the long term care workforce is facing serious challenges, and our country must make significant investments to help address these shortfalls.”
Unfortunately, this trend is alarming when you have a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Having insufficient staffing means your loved one will not receive the high-level of care that is required. If you are concerned about your loved one getting the care they need and deserve, here are some warning signs to look out for when visiting:
- Unusual changes in behavior or sleeping
- Fear or anxiety
- Broken bones, bruises or welts
- Untreated bed sores
- Torn, stained or bloody clothing
- Dirtiness or poor hygiene
- Dehydration
These are all important factors to document and approach the management of the care facility right away. If you feel that your concerns are not being met, we recommend the following steps to protect your loved one.
- Document all correspondence with the facility
- Alert the elderly’s primary care physician and schedule an assessment
- Contact an experienced attorney