Residents suffer as only 8% of N.Y. nursing homes comply with proposed staffing law

[TexasTowelie]

Understaffing is a common problem in many of the worst-rated nursing homes in Western New York.

Residents in these facilities often must wait long periods to be taken to the bathroom, have their diapers changed or receive assistance in being fed, according to their relatives.

A proposed state bill would require nursing homes and hospitals to maintain specific minimum staffing ratios for nurses and certified nursing assistants. At present, these facilities are required only to have “sufficient" staffing levels.

The bill, which passed in the Assembly in 2016 but was not voted on by the Senate, is expected to gain more support when Democrats take control of both chambers next year, according to two legislators representing Buffalo.

Read more: https://buffalonews.com/2018/12/10/only-49-new-york-nursing-homes-comply-with-proposed-minimum-staffing-law/

[WePurrsevere]

1. While this bill is an excellent start...

There's also a serious and increasing shortage in truly qualified people to hire that needs to be addressed. Patients definitely need more help but they don't need crappy staff who aren't qualified or lack in caring.

https://geriatricnursing.org/10-states-with-biggest-nursing-shortages/

https://money.cnn.com/2018/05/04/news/economy/health-care-workers-shortage/index.html

[blueinredohio]

2. In the 80s I worked in nursing homes

Three really good people who work there and some only for the money(what little there is). I've always loved working with older people but the work is hard and doesn't pay. You make minimum wage with no benefits and every time there's a reduction in residents there's always a reduction in staff. Even some of the residents families come to visit they talk to you and treat you like you are beneath them.

[WePurrsevere]

3. This is a part of what's addressed in the articles...

I linked to.

I did a lot of volunteer work in nursing homes back in the 70s and most of my nursing experience was working on the geriatric floors. Nursing home staff and hospital staff are often grossly under paid for what they do. So many of the truly caring and helpful ones burn out of can't make en vs meet so they leave for greener pastures.