People have been growing increasingly skeptical of nursing homes for several reasons over the years. The pandemic has unfortunately transformed nursing homes into traps for over 170,000 residents who need long-term care, as well as staff members who have died as a result of COVID-19.

But the virus has revealed how the nursing home system in the U.S. is flawed in ways that will continue to cause harm to staff members and residents. This will likely be applicable even once the pandemic is over, which is why many people wonder if sending their elderly family member to a nursing home is the best solution.

The Biggest Problem for Nursing Homes

Not enough money is invested in caregiving for the elderly, according to interviews with nursing home researchers, staff members, and industry representatives. This suggests that the tax dollars that are supposed to be spent on these facilities are not being invested properly.

The recent pandemic has further revealed that the caregiving system is dysfunctional. Nexus Insights founder Robert Kramer shares that the system has been dysfunctional for a while, and the pandemic only worsened these issues. Kramer asserts that nursing homes are center-stage in this healthcare crisis, whether or not companies want to admit it.

If you or a loved one are dealing with neglect or mistreatment in a nursing home, it’s best to get in touch with a nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible. An experienced

attorney can look at the evidence connected to your case to determine if you or your relative is entitled to compensation.

Having the right legal representation will raise the chances that you’ll get the settlement you deserve so you can afford to give your family member the best possible care.

What Are Advocates Doing to Change Things?

Advocates for elder care are pushing for nursing homes to be more accountable for how public funds are spent at their facilities and demand that restrictions are placed on how nursing home funds are spent.

The changes the advocates want are likely to be met with resistance from an industry that has been significantly damaged by the pandemic, according to nursing home leaders. Nursing homes are now trying to care for their residents with limited funds and often use the public money offered through Medicaid. However, states are facing other financial crises that could limit the amount of healthcare funds nursing home residents receive.

Worker Pay and Work Requirements

Nursing homes are breeding grounds for infections and viruses, including COVID-19. Many residents suffering from health issues have to receive treatment in their rooms and often share a living space with someone else. Residents also have to depend on workers to feed, bathe, and dress them, in many cases. This, in turn, increases the chances that the sickness will spread to other residents and workers.

Hands-on caregiving is one of the main reasons family members decide to put their relatives in nursing homes, especially if an elderly person has needs that require constant, long-term care. However, when the staff is burnt out and trying to protect themselves from the pandemic, they may not be completely able to provide all the services a resident may need.

Some workers are so dissatisfied with salary and other conditions in nursing homes that it affects the quality of care offered. This leads to a growing concern among family members who aren’t sure that their relatives are receiving the best care possible.

Factors like a high turnover rate, difficult working conditions, and low pay are among the reasons some healthcare workers are shying away from nursing homes. Unfortunately, some staff members developed COVID-19 from working in the nursing home and had to miss work. In December 2020, 30% of the nursing homes in the US were short-staffed, according to the AARP.

What the Future Holds

We are still passing through turbulent times on a global scale. Unfortunately, the vulnerable groups from the population are those most exposed in the face of the pandemic. Advocates, healthcare professionals, and policy makers are all struggling to find solutions to existing problems within the nursing home system. What the future holds is yet uncertain and largely depends on the actions each of us take.

Author: How does one combine a passion for journalism with a strong sense of justice? For Theresa Fortier, the choice was simple: legal journalism.

Born and raised in a family of attorneys but wanting to approach the law from an investigative angle, Theresa decided that people would not hear her voice in the court, but online, in magazines, journals, and other platforms. That’s why she’s collaborating with Anastopoulo Law Firm.

When she is not studying active lawsuits closely to report on them, she writes public-friendly articles detangling the complicated threads representing the American legal system.