Nursing Home Resident Injuries and Deaths Related to Staffing

Questions about nursing home facilities’ staffing are always important to know whenever there is a report of an injury, neglect or abuse in any nursing home setting. A study from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College concluded that when the economy is strong, death rates at nursing homes rise. This research shows that when general employment levels rise, staffing at nursing homes drop. It turns out that the reason is that many nursing home staff prefer to work elsewhere. Therefore, the loss of caregiving for the elderly is linked with higher death rates, particularly in older women who outlive their male partners.

As Americans live longer, the need for nursing home facilities and care-giving resources are being stretched to their limits. Those living into their 80s are among the fastest growing age groups in the United States.

Because the federal and state governments have reduced Medicare funding for nursing home facility reimbursement rates, the elderly face much greater financial pressure. There is continued pressure to reduce healthcare spending, particularly on caregivers. The study found a precipitous rise in deaths at nursing facilities as the economy expands and workers find jobs in other work places.

There is a direct correlation between decreasing staffing numbers and deaths among older nursing home residents. With a greater scarcity of caregivers, the elderly will be directly impacted, the study concluded.

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling nursing home abuse cases for individuals and families for more than 40 years, in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Aurora, Blue Island, Calumet City, Chicago Heights, Hoffman Estates, LaGrange and Oak Park, Ill.