Nursing Home Abuse: Why Does it Happen?

I just read a news report out of the state of Missouri about a nursing home worker charged with hitting a resident and forcing water into his nose and lungs through oxygen tubing.  How can this happen?  Based on my experience representing victims of nursing home abuse I believe that there are several reasons.  First, many nursing homes are grossly understaffed.  The nurses and aides must care for a large number of patients with complex problems, but have little time to spend with each patient.  Under pressure to perform tasks quickly the staff can lose their own patience and take it out on the people they care for.  Second, many nursing homes do not properly screen potential employees by checking references and criminal backgrounds.   Failure to do background checks can result in terrible hiring decisions.  Finally, residents in nursing homes today frequently suffer from multiple and complex medical and psychiatric problems.  The staff at many nursing homes are not properly trained to deal with these complexities. For more information about nursing home abuse and injuries visit the Nursing Home section of my website.