How to help nursing home residents through the staffing crisis

Seek answers from direct care staff, including certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and RNs, recommends Marjorie Moore, the executive director of Voyce, a

national nonprofit advocacy organization for people living in long-term care. These workers may be more open and honest than administrators about staffing shortfalls. “They’re really bearing

the brunt of this crisis, so you might find they’re willing to share their challenges with you.” Most care deeply about their residents and have their best interests at heart, so want to

work with you to keep them safe, she says. “Be assertive but not aggressive,” Moore adds. “You need to advocate for your loved one and make sure you can get to the bottom of things, but many

of these workers are doing tough jobs for usually very poor pay, so be kind where possible.” Don’t forget to engage residents, says Bogdan of National Consumer Voice. Helpful questions 

include: Do you get the help you need from staff when you need it? What activities have you been doing? How do you like living here? Are you hungry or thirsty? “If it’s hard to communicate

with your loved one — say, if they have dementia — there might be another resident in the facility who can clue you in,” she says. Many nursing homes have resident or family councils where

you can share or listen to staffing concerns. 4. AM I ASSISTING WHERE POSSIBLE? Family members can often perform the same tasks that a worker usually would, such as helping residents dress,

taking them for a walk, entertaining them, ensuring they get adequate fluids, or assisting them in going to the bathroom. “Fill the gaps,” says AARP’s Goyer. Charlene Harrington, professor

emerita and a nursing home researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, recommends visiting your loved one at mealtimes if they need help with feeding. She says staff often

struggle most with shortages at these times, when many residents need assistance all at once. She also recommends incorporating exercise for your loved one into your visits. According to

Lindsay Raupe, the director of social services at a faith-based continuing care center in northern Oklahoma, it’s “the little things” that help. “One lady brought up a cake for the whole

staff to help celebrate her mom’s birthday — that was sweet,” she says. “My favorite drink is Coca-Cola. One lady brought me a Coke one day because she said I looked tired. It touched my

heart to know she noticed and cared.”    5. DO I NEED TO SEEK OUTSIDE HELP? If you’re concerned or unsure about the care your loved one is receiving, contact your state’s long-term care

ombudsman. Ombudsman programs were established by the federal Older Americans Act in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, to address problems related to the

health, safety, welfare and rights of residents of nursing homes and long-term care communities. Staff and volunteers at ombudsmen offices advocate for residents of long-term care facilities

and investigate and resolve complaints. Residents, family members, representatives or staff members can all file complaints. The service is free of charge and, if requested, confidential.

If an issue isn’t resolved, you can file a complaint with your state survey agency, which inspects nursing homes to determine if they’re complying with federal and state requirements. Your

local ombudsman program can support you in filing a complaint. Experts also recommend keeping correspondence (emails, texts and notes) with your loved one’s nursing home regarding complaints

or concerns. These records could provide valuable documentation in conversations with nursing home administrators, or when working with state regulators, ombudsmen or advocates. Ways to

Advocate for Your Loved One in a Nursing Home