Kansas City Unsupervised Care Attorneys

Unsupervised & Negligent Care in Nursing Homes 

Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have a duty to properly supervise residents. Failing to do so can increase the risk of accidents, wandering, and other incidents that may lead to serious injury, health complications, or even death.

If your loved one was harmed while under the care of a nursing home or similar facility, and you believe insufficient supervision may have been the cause, reach out to the Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr. team right away. We dedicate the majority of our practice to nursing home abuse and neglect claims; our attorneys have extensive experience handling all types of cases arising from various causes, including inadequate supervision of nursing home residents. 

For a free consultation with our Kansas City unsupervised care attorneys, call (816) 597-4556 or contact us online today. You do not owe any legal fees unless we win your case.

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.

What Are the Causes of Inadequate Nursing Home Supervision? 

Unsupervised care in nursing homes and other assisted living facilities can occur due to a wide variety of reasons. 

Some of the most common causes of unsupervised care in nursing homes include: 

• Inadequate staff 
• Inadequate training 
• Negligent hiring 
• General neglect 
• Personnel issues 

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.

The Effects of Unsupervised Care 

When nursing home staff fails to adequately supervise residents, it can lead to serious accidents, mistakes, and other potentially harmful incidents.

Some of the common effects of unsupervised care in nursing homes include: 

• Falls and other accidents 
• Wandering 
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Medication errors 
• Failure to diagnose or treat medical conditions 
• Failure to obtain medical attention for residents 
• New or worsened infections 
• Bedsores 
• Isolation of residents
• Residents being left alone for long periods of time
• Mental, social, and psychological harm 
• Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions 

When elderly residents are harmed due to inadequate nursing home supervision, the facility can be held accountable. You could be entitled to compensation for any resulting medical expenses, financial loss, physical pain, mental suffering, emotional distress, and other related damages. In rare cases, unsupervised care can lead to wrongful death. When this occurs, surviving family members may have grounds to bring a lawsuit against the nursing home.