What Factors Contribute to Nursing Home Abuse in Florida?
When your loved one requires round-the-clock care, you may have to place them in a nursing home to ensure they receive it. It is the job of nursing home administrators and staff members to ensure that your loved one receives the proper care and support they deserve. In most cases, nursing home staff members provide this quality care. So how then, does nursing abuse happen? In fact, there are many contributing factors to nursing home abuse in Florida. Our Tampa nursing home abuse lawyers explain what these are below.
What Contributes to Nursing Home Abuse in Tampa?
There are many factors that contribute to the high rate of nursing home neglect and abuse in Florida. One of the main factors is that long-term care facilities are notoriously understaffed and the issue is much more complicated than many people believe. Nursing homes were experiencing understaffing issues before COVID-19 but the pandemic certainly made the issue much more prevalent.
The understaffing issue results in residents not being supervised properly, and important aspects of care being overlooked. Florida law dictates that nursing homes have at least one certified nursing assistant (CNA) for every 20 residents and one licensed nurse for every 40 residents. Some facilities do not comply with these laws because they would rather cut corners and keep more of their profits.
The staff members working in nursing homes are also often underpaid, also because nursing home owners and administrators try to turn more profit. This can result in the staff members who are in the facility feeling under appreciated and lacking motivation to provide the proper care residents deserve. With the influx of Baby Boomers becoming older and requiring regular care, these issues are likely only going to become a bigger concern in the coming years.
How to Prevent Nursing Home Abuse
Although it is not always possible to prevent nursing home abuse and neglect, there are steps you can take to help protect your family. First, it is critical to do your due diligence and thoroughly research any facility you are considering. You can check Medicare’s ratings, the ombudsman’s office, and online reviews to get a feel for any nursing home facility.
You should also visit any nursing home you are considering in person before admitting your loved one. Make sure the facility is clean, well-lit, and has an appropriate number of staff members. Also observe how staff members interact with residents and if they seem caring and supportive. Visiting regularly when your loved one is admitted into the facility is also important, so you can check for any changes in their appearance or behavior.
Call Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Tampa Today
Even after taking all of the right steps to prevent abuse and neglect, the sad truth is that it still happens. At Kohn Law, our Tampa nursing home abuse lawyers can help you make things right if you suspect your loved one is not being treated properly. Call us today at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0400/0400.html
