Nursing homes exist to provide vulnerable elderly residents with the care, supervision, and support they need. Yet one of the most widespread and dangerous problems facing facilities across Ohio and the United States is chronic understaffing.

When a nursing home does not have enough qualified employees to meet residents’ needs, neglect becomes unavoidable. Staff become overwhelmed, tasks are rushed or skipped, and residents are left without essential care. Understaffing is not just a business problem—it is a safety crisis that endangers lives.

One of the most terrifying events a family can experience is receiving a call that their loved one is missing from a nursing home. Known as elopement, this occurs when a resident leaves the facility or wanders into unsafe areas without supervision.

Elopement is not a harmless “walk outside”—it is a life-threatening emergency. Elderly residents may face exposure to extreme weather, traffic accidents, drowning, falls, or encounters with dangerous environments. Tragically, elopement has led to severe injuries and death across Ohio and the United States.

Supervision is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of a nursing home. Elderly residents depend on staff to help them move safely, prevent falls, monitor medical needs, and ensure their overall well-being. Yet across Ohio and the United States, inadequate supervision has become one of the leading causes of nursing home injuries—many of which are entirely preventable.

When nursing homes fail to properly supervise residents, the consequences can be catastrophic:

Every day, nursing homes across the United States administer thousands of medications to vulnerable elderly residents. Because most seniors rely on multiple prescriptions to manage chronic illnesses, proper medication management is not just important—it is essential for survival.

Yet, despite strict federal and state regulations, medication errors remain one of the most common forms of nursing home negligence. These mistakes can cause dangerous reactions, hospitalizations, permanent disability, and even wrongful death.