Coverage of aging is supported in part by AARP Arizona
A recent report from a national nursing home resident advocacy group found that a majority of residents surveyed say their facility lacked adequate staff to meet their needs.
It was a smaller survey: Only 120 nursing home residents from across the US responded to a survey by the Consumer Voice, an advocacy group that focuses on resident rights.
Still, more than 80% of respondents said their facilities lacked the necessary staff to meet care needs and that understaffing affects them daily or several times a week.
Questions included things like: Do you wait longer than you’d like to get out of bed in the mornings or how often are your meals late?
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing shortages plagued long-term care facilities. Low wages, a lack of benefits and a lack of career advancement opportunities are some reasons why.
