Negligent Hiring Practices Can Lead to Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

 Posted on February 24, 2021 in Physical Abuse

There are over a million individuals currently living in nursing homes across the United States. Some nursing home residents suffer from physical disabilities, hearing and vision loss, and age-related illnesses. Others suffer from cognitive conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Regardless of their reasons for being there, all nursing home residents have one thing in common: the right to competent and compassionate care. When nursing homes employ staff who are not qualified to work in a long-term care environment, residents may suffer from neglect or even intentional abuse.

Underqualified Staff Members Can Make Dangerous Mistakes

Caring for elderly and disabled individuals is not an easy job. Residents may suffer from multiple physical and mental health complications and require a strict medication regimen. They may need help with daily living activities like eating and bathing. Many residents also need help getting to and from their beds and wheelchairs. When staff are not qualified to handle residents’ needs, the residents can suffer preventable injuries or even death.

Intentional Abuse in Nursing Homes

Nursing homes must take steps to ensure that the staff they hire are suited to perform the job tasks. They should also ensure that the applicants do not have a history of violence or abuse. The following steps can prevent unqualified or dangerous individuals from being hired at a nursing home:

• Criminal background checks
• Personal and professional reference checks
• Drug tests
• Validating the applicants’ degrees, licenses, and certifications
• Credit checks
• Evaluating the applicants’ driving records  

Failing to properly vet staff can expose residents to neglect and, in some cases, intentional abuse. Nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Many residents are not even physically or mentally capable of reporting it when they are being abused. Sadly, some offenders gravitate to positions in nursing homes because they know that the residents can make easy targets.

Contact a Cook County Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Lawyer

Nursing homes must ensure that the staff they hire do not have a history of violence or criminality. They must also ensure that the staff are properly qualified to provide appropriate medical care and assistance with daily living activities.

If your loved one suffered injury or death because of negligent care or intentional abuse in a nursing home, it is important to take swift legal action. A nursing home abuse and neglect claim may allow you to hold the negligent facility accountable and get justice for your loved one. You may also be able to recover financial compensation for the damages caused by the nursing home’s negligence. A Chicago nursing home injury attorney can help. Call Schwartz Injury Law at 312-535-4625 for your free consultation.

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/nursing-home-care.htm