May 18, 2023 | Nursing Home Negligence

Cases of nursing home neglect are increasing across the country. These cases aren’t isolated to nursing homes in urban areas but also in rural areas. In fact, nursing homes in rural areas face unique challenges that contribute to the occurrence of nursing home neglect cases. In this article, we discuss some of the most common challenges facing nursing homes in rural areas and how they contribute to nursing home neglect.

Challenges Facing Nursing Homes in Rural Communities in Nebraska

• Rising operating costs

The country’s economy has taken a beating in recent years. This has resulted in an increase in costs. It is becoming more expensive for nursing homes to meet the cost of labor as well as for supplies. Up to 11.3% of nursing homes in Nebraska have shut down between 2015 and 2019 as a result of the increased running costs. 89% of the nursing homes that shut down during this period were located in rural parts of Nebraska. Many more nursing homes in rural areas face closure. Those that are still operating seek every means possible to cut down on their expenses.

Cutting back on operating costs has resulted in understaffing as well as lack of supplies in nursing homes. Nursing home staff are unable to meet the needs and requirements of the patients in the nursing home. There aren’t enough nursing staff members to ensure the safety of patients and to meet their needs.

Nursing homes’ cutting back on operating costs may also cut back on supplies. They may therefore not meet the needs of their residents including nutritional needs, medical supplies, drugs and much more.

• Poor funding

Nursing homes in rural areas also face the challenge of not receiving adequate funding. Nursing homes may therefore not be able to meet the needs and requirements of residents. They may be understaffed and not be able to purchase the supplies they need. When nursing homes are unable to meet their operating costs, cases of neglect are likely to occur.

• Recruiting challenges

Nursing homes in rural areas find it especially challenging to recruit and retain staff. These nursing homes aren’t able to provide lucrative compensation packages as they receive poor funding. In addition, many qualified and experienced professionals aren’t willing to relocate to rural communities. These nursing homes often experience high turnover as employees continually leave in search of better opportunities in urban settings.

• Distance from loved ones

Many nursing homes in rural communities have shut down in recent years. Families have had to relocate their loved ones to nursing homes that are further away. This means that families are unable to visit their loved ones as frequently. They are therefore less likely to identify signs of neglect in their loved ones. This leaves their loved ones vulnerable to neglect as nursing home employees are not held accountable for their actions or lack thereof.

Common Types of Neglect in Nursing Homes

Nursing home neglect involves poor care or a breach in the duty of care of the nursing home staff to the resident. Nursing home neglect can take various forms. Some of the most common types of nursing home neglect include:

• Abandonment

This occurs when the nursing home resident is deserted with no regard to their well-being. For example, a nursing home may kick out a resident in order to cut back on their costs and increase their profit margins.

• Neglect of basic needs

This occurs when the nursing home does not meet the basic needs of the patient. These basic needs include water, food and a safe and clean environment. For example, the nursing home may not provide the patient with a nutritious meal and this may result in malnutrition and other health problems.

• Medical neglect

This occurs when the nursing home caregivers do not meet the medical needs and requirements of the patient. For example, nursing home staff may neglect to turn a patient with mobility problems resulting in bedsores and other health complications.

• Neglect of the patient’s personal hygiene

This occurs when the nursing home fails to help the patient with their personal hygiene including bathing, dental care and laundry. Residents may wear soiled clothes, sleep in soiled beds and have a dirty and unkempt appearance.

• Emotional neglect

This occurs when nursing home residents are ignored, left alone or not allowed to interact with loved ones or other residents of the nursing home. This can result in the development of emotional or psychological disorders.

While many people consider neglect as less serious than nursing home abuse. However, when nursing home neglect occurs, it can have serious consequences. It is therefore important to ensure that nursing homes and their staff are held accountable for their actions or lack thereof. Filing a nursing home negligence lawsuit will not only help to ensure that victims and their loved ones are compensated but also that justice is served and that the negligence is deterred in other nursing homes.

Nursing Home Neglect in Rural Communities