Kansas City Negligent Nursing Home Supervision Attorneys

What Is Unsupervised Care? 

Unsupervised care is a form of nursing home negligence in which staff fails to adequately oversee residents. This can lead to a wide range of consequences, including wandering. 

“Wandering” refers to excessive ambulation—AKA walking, roaming, or moving around—by elderly residents. While wandering does not necessarily pose any risks on its own, it can be concerning in individuals with certain cognitive impairments or conditions that may cause confusion, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. Individuals may become disorientated or lost, or they may fall and become injured while wandering. This can—and should—be prevented by proper supervision.

Causes of Inadequate Nursing Home Supervision 

Negligent supervision in nursing homes is a critical issue that poses significant risks to the well-being and safety of elderly residents. It refers to the failure of nursing home staff or management to adequately oversee and monitor residents, leading to preventable accidents, injuries, or instances of neglect. 

This form of negligence can have devastating consequences, ranging from physical harm to emotional distress and a decline in the overall quality of life for residents.

Several factors contribute to negligent supervision in nursing homes:

• Inadequate staffing: Shortages in staff numbers or poorly trained personnel can hinder the ability to provide proper supervision. Insufficient staff-to-resident ratios often result in staff members being overwhelmed and unable to provide individual attention and monitoring.
• Lack of training: Insufficient training and inadequate orientation for staff members can lead to a lack of understanding about the specific needs of residents, including those with mobility issues, cognitive impairments, or medical conditions requiring specialized care.
• Failure to implement protocols: Nursing homes may have specific protocols and procedures for resident monitoring and care. Negligence can occur when these protocols are not followed or are disregarded by staff members due to neglect, oversight, or indifference.
• Poor facility management: Negligent supervision can also stem from inadequate facility management. Issues such as faulty equipment, inadequate safety measures, or a lack of proper maintenance contribute to an unsafe environment for residents.

The most common cause of inadequate nursing home supervision is understaffing. According to a 2022 study by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living, as many as 87% of nursing homes nationwide are experiencing staffing shortages, half of which are classified as severe. 

When nursing homes have a poor staff-to-resident ratio, there simply aren’t enough caregivers to oversee the residents. However, this isn't an excuse for nursing homes to provide negligent or substandard care.