Understaffing in San Antonio Nursing Homes

Name: Janicek Law
Address: 1100 NE Interstate 410 Loop #600, San Antonio, Texas, 78209
Telephone: 210-366-4949

Millions of elderly people are already receiving round-the-clock care in U.S. nursing home facilities. The number of nursing home residents is expected to grow significantly over the next 10 years due to the aging Baby Boomer generation. The problem is that the United States has had a significant shortage of nursing home staff members for a long time now. The issue of understaffing in nursing homes has only gotten worse due to economic struggles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In many cases, elder abuse and neglect occurs when there’s a severe staffing shortage in a nursing home. Nursing home neglect and abuse can lead to a rapid deterioration of a resident’s health. For example, many residents who are neglected and/or abused can suffer from bedsores, fall injuries, choking accidents, poor hygiene, frequent infections, and so much more. This often means that older adults spend the last few months or years of their lives in poor health and significant pain.

The San Antonio nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at Janicek Law are passionate about fighting for the justice of nursing home residents who aren’t receiving the care they so desperately need. If your elderly loved one has suffered from multiple injuries and illnesses in their nursing facility, you could receive financial compensation in an elder abuse lawsuit. Call 210-366-4949 to schedule a free legal case review with our team.

How Many U.S. Nursing Homes Are Understaffed?

According to a June 2022 survey conducted by the American Health Care Association (AHCA), 87% of the surveyed nursing facilities report moderate to high staffing shortages. For the sake of contrast, only 2% of the skilled nursing facilities surveyed reported to be fully staffed.

Because of these nationwide staffing shortages, 99% of the surveyed nursing homes claimed that they had to ask their staff members to work overtime. Additionally, 61% of nursing homes are now forced to limit new admissions. Lastly, 73% of surveyed nursing facilities are concerned about being forced to close due to understaffing.

The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Understaffing in Nursing Homes

Many nursing home administrators report that the pre-existing staffing shortages got significantly worse during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the senior vice president of public affairs for the AHCA, Beth Martino, the COVID-19 pandemic “really turned these challenges into a historic crisis. Nursing homes have lost more than 240,000 caregivers, or roughly 15% of its workforce, since the beginning of the pandemic. This is worse than any other health care sector.

The pandemic has caused increased burnout among caregivers, especially in long-term care, where many feel forgotten or blamed by public officials and the public for COVID.”

The “2030 Problem”

These statistics really highlight a nationwide problem because approximately 1.3 million elderly people are currently residing in assisted living facilities or nursing homes according to the CDC. By 2030, the number of U.S. nursing home residents is expected to explode due to the aging Baby Boomer generation. Not only that, but the generation that comes before the Baby Boomers (the Silent Generation) are still going to be alive and needing round-the-clock-care.

There will be approximately 61 million people between the ages of 66 to 84 in 2030 (Baby Boomers). Meanwhile, there will be approximately 9 million people between the ages of 85 and 100 in 2030 (the Silent Generation). The vast majority of these elderly people will need to stay in skilled nursing facilities.

Healthcare experts are calling this the “2030 Problem.” If we are having a severe staffing shortage now, then it’s only bound to get worse if our nursing home facilities can’t figure out better staffing solutions.

Why Are Nursing Homes Understaffed?

There are many reasons why there’s a huge shortage of nursing home staff members. But the biggest reasons are maximum pay with minimum hours, high turnover rates, and inaccurate reports of staffing levels.

Maximum Hours, Minimum Pay

It’s no secret that working in the healthcare industry is hard work. The hours are long, the stress is high, and for many, the pay is very low. That’s because providing high quality medical care is very physically, emotionally, and financially taxing. It takes so much work and money to keep these skilled nursing facilities open that there’s not a whole lot of money left over to pay nursing home workers a livable wage.

For example, Indeed.com states that the average salary for a U.S. nursing assistant is $12.62 per hour. If nursing home staff members only worked 40 hours per week (although many of them work much longer hours than this), their annual salary would only be $23,000 per year. This is not a livable wage in the United States.

Additionally, some nursing facilities intentionally engage in short-staffing to keep costs down. When there aren’t enough staff members at a nursing home facility, nursing home neglect and abuse is more likely to occur to innocent elderly people.

High Turnover Rates

Because many certified nursing assistants are required to work far more than 40 hours a week at a low hourly rate, exhaustion and burn out rates are really high. Exhaustion and burnout can lead to significant mental health problems among staff members, which drives many of them to quit.

Inaccurate Reports of Staffing Levels

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 states that nursing home staffing levels must be verified through payroll. However, because the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) receives staffing data directly from long term care facilities in the U.S., they can certainly report false information.

Consequences of Understaffed Nursing Homes

In many cases, inadequate staffing in nursing homes directly relates to high rates of neglect and abuse allegations. If there aren’t enough people to take care of our older adults, then quality care is simply not possible. There are simply too many nursing home residents to feed, bathe, and treat, and not enough hands to do it. This can cause serious harm to any nursing home resident.

Common warning signs of abuse and neglect in nursing homes include:

Bedsores (pressure ulcers)
Poor personal hygiene
Frequent infections and illnesses (such as MRSA infections)
Medication errors
Major depression, anxiety, panic, and antisocial behavior (which is often a sign of emotional neglect and abuse)
Fall injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, etc.
Malnutrition and dehydration
Choking accidents
Bruises, scratches, and cuts on the skin
Sexually transmitted diseases (if sexual abuse is occurring)
Wrongful death

How to Report Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

One of the main ways to prevent elder neglect and abuse in skilled nursing facilities is to enforce minimum staffing levels across the nation. But this is way easier said than done. All nursing homes would have to prioritize the mental and financial well being of their staff members, which would directly turn into higher quality care for our elderly population. Therefore, our elders would suffer less emotional and physical harm.

Until major changes happen within the U.S. nursing facility industry, it’s important to keep in mind where you can direct elder abuse complaints especially if your loved one is actively suffering from serious injuries and illnesses in their nursing facility.

You can report abuse to one of the following state and federal groups:

Adult Protective Services
State Survey Agency
State Licensure Office
National Center on Elder Abuse
Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
Long-Term Care Ombudsman

If nothing is being done about your report of elder mistreatment, your next step should be to call San Antonio nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at Janicek Law. We strongly believe that abusing and neglecting residents is unacceptable, and we will do everything we can to help you and your loved one obtain justice from the nursing home in question.

Damages for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

San Antonio nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at Janicek Law can help elderly people and their family members recover financial compensation for the following damages:

Past and future medical treatment costs associated with injuries and illnesses
Past and future physical therapy costs
Emotional distress
Mental health counseling costs
Costs associated with changing nursing homes or caregivers
Physical pain and suffering
Funeral and burial expenses if the nursing home abuse and neglect resulted in wrongful death

How San Antonio Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers Can Help

The elder abuse attorneys at Janicek Law unfortunately cannot change the broken system which has caused severe understaffing in nursing homes. However, we can continue to fight for the justice of abused elderly residents. We hope that one day the amount of elder abuse lawsuits that have been filed over the last several decades can spur significant change.

When you hire our trusted law firm to take on your elder abuse case, we will:

Intently listen to your story,
Gather sufficient evidence to prove that nursing home neglect or abuse occurred,
Inform you (and your elderly loved one) of your legal rights and options,
Help you report abuse to one of the aforementioned state and federal groups (if you haven’t already),
Help you file an elder abuse lawsuit (if we all believe that is the best course of action),
Walk you through the entire legal process,
And help you obtain fair compensation and justice on behalf of your elderly loved one.

Call San Antonio Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers at Janicek Law Today

It’s not fair for the elderly, vulnerable residents in U.S. nursing homes to live the rest of their lives in such poor health due to abuse and neglect. If you suspect that your elderly loved one’s recent injuries are caused by abuse and neglect (due to severe staffing shortages), you may have grounds to file an elder abuse against their nursing facility. San Antonio nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers are the best team to have on your side during this impossible time. Call us today at 210-366-4949 to schedule a free case review.

Practice Areas

Multi-Million Dollar Results For Over 30 Years

Schedule a Free Consultation

    
 
 
        
   Natasha Garza 
 31 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an amazing experience with Janicek Law from beginning to end. Karen Rangel recommended us to Cassidy Muniz, and we are so thankful she did. Cassidy assisted myself, my husband, and our two daughters, and all four of us are extremely happy with the experience and outcome.

Cassidy truly went above and beyond for our entire family. She was always responsive, patient, professional, and helpful, and she kept us informed throughout the entire process. Everything went smoothly, we had no issues, and she made what could have been a stressful situation so much easier for us.

The entire team at Janicek Law is amazing, and we felt like we were in great hands from start to finish. We are incredibly grateful to Karen for recommending Cassidy and especially grateful to Cassidy for everything she did for our family.

We would 100% recommend Cassidy and Janicek Law to anyone looking for a team that truly cares about their clients. Thank you all so much for everything! ❤️
  
 
       
   Alex McWhirter 
 18 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We were referred to Janicek Law firm from a lawyer in Brownsville, who pointed out that they are experts in the field of medical malpractice and I am so grateful. We worked with Andrew and Gaby and they were dedicated and worked hard to get us the best possible outcome. They kept us informed and updated through every step of the process, always with a friendly and very professional disposition. Despite language and distance challenges, they accommodated all of our needs, and I would highly recommend Janicek Law Firm. They made a bad situation better by listening to our concerns, helping us through a sorrowful time for my family, and advising on how to defeat our opponent. For any families that have a beloved and elderly relative who suffered in the hands of callous and neglectful medical institutions, Janicek Law Firm were amazing in advocating for our relative and making these corporate entities accountable. Thank you, Andrew and Gaby, we really appreciated your help!
  
 
       
   Heidi Soto 
 8 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mr Bernal and Karen were great. They always kept me up to date on all that was going on at all times. When it came down to mediation Mr Bernal knew exactly what to do and say to make things clear with the insurance company who wanted to take advantage of me. I highly recommend Mr Bernal if you ever are in an accident. He will definitely take care of you.
  
 
       
   Lucy 
 30 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am beyond thankful for everyone at Janicek law for the professionalism, dedication, and support you all have showed throughout my lawsuit. From the very beginning, you all made a difficult and stressful situation much easier to navigate! Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, keeping me informed every step of the way and making this process as stress free as possible! I can without a doubt definitely recommend this law firm!
  
 
       
   Iris Contreras 
 16 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have started this review so many times, but every time I do, I realize there simply aren't enough words to thank the people at Janicek Law.
Almost 3 years ago, my world ended. I lost my son, Zayden—the greatest love of my life. My other son, Zy, witnessed the unimaginable that day. He carries those memories with him every single day, and we are forever grateful that he is still here because we very easily could have lost him too. Our family didn't just experience a tragedy—we experienced trauma that changed us forever.
When I first met the team at Janicek Law, I wasn't just grieving. I was broken. I was a mother trying to survive the unthinkable while helping my surviving son heal from something no child should ever witness. I didn't know if I had the strength to keep fighting.
There were so many moments when I wanted to give up. Every deposition, every conversation, every piece of evidence forced me to relive the worst day of my life. I told them I couldn't do it anymore. But they never let me forget why we were fighting. They reminded me that Zayden deserved justice. They reminded me that Zy deserved justice. They believed in my family even when I couldn't believe in myself.
What makes Janicek Law different is that this was never just a job to them. They never made me feel like another client or another case number. They knew my children by name. They celebrated Zayden's life. They cried with us, prayed with us, hugged us, encouraged us, and walked beside us through every heartbreaking step. They carried a piece of this burden with us, and I will never forget that.
Even after the case was over, they didn't disappear. They still answer my calls. They still help me with paperwork. They still check on me. They still make me feel like my family matters. That's something you cannot fake. That's love. Somewhere along the way, I stopped seeing them as "my attorneys" and started seeing them as family. And I truly believe I have a family for life.
No amount of money will ever bring my little boy back. I would trade every penny to hear his laugh one more time. But because of Janicek Law, I have peace knowing that his life mattered, his story was heard, and that they fought for my boys with everything they had.
From the deepest part of a mother's heart... thank you. Thank you for loving my children. Thank you for never giving up on us when I wanted to give up myself. Thank you for standing beside us through the darkest chapter of our lives. You gave my family more than legal representation—you gave us hope, dignity, and people we will love for the rest of our lives. You helped a grieving mother find the strength to be the voice her son no longer had. In a world that can feel so unfair, you reminded me that there are still genuinely good people. We love each and every one of you, and we will never forget what you did for Zayden, for Zy, and for us.❤️
  
 
       
   Destiny Sanchez 
 14 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My friend Karen referred us to Janicek law firm and I am so grateful. We worked with cassidy moving forward and she went above and beyond while helping me with my accident case. From the very beginning, she was professional, knowledgeable, and always available to answer my questions. She kept me informed throughout the entire process and made a stressful situation much easier to handle. Her dedication, hard work, and attention to detail truly made a difference in my case. I am incredibly grateful for everything she did for me and my family. I would highly recommend Cassidy and Janicek Law Firm, who genuinely cares about clients and fights for the best possible outcome. Thank you cassidy for everything!
  
 
       
   Virginia-Ann Bernal 
 8 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After my accident, I felt overwhelmed and had no idea what to do next. Choosing Janicek Law Firm was one of the best decisions I could have made. From the very beginning, Philip Bernal,  Cassidy Muniz, and Karen Rangel took the time to explain the process, answer my questions, and make sure I always knew what to expect.

Cassidy and Karen were  absolutely incredible throughout my entire case. They coordinated my medical care, helped with scheduling appointments, communicated with my insurance, and was always available whenever I needed guidance or reassurance. Their compassion and dedication truly made a difficult time so much easier.

The entire team worked hard to build my case, keeping me informed every step of the way, and ultimately secured a settlement I was very happy with. More importantly, they gave me the peace of mind to focus on healing instead of worrying about the legal process.

I can’t thank Philip, Cassidy, Karen and everyone at Janicek Law Firm enough for their professionalism, kindness, and commitment. If you’re looking for a law firm that genuinely cares about its clients, I highly recommend them. THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!
  
 
       
   Corey Sil 
 29 June 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mr. Skemp and Gaby took care of everything and made my suit for Wrongful Death as easy as possible. I couldn’t have done any of this with out them! They honored and represented my Mother to the fullest and for that I am greatful! G. Silvas
  
 
       
   Jasub Baez 
 22 June 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Good lawyers .
  
 
       
   Aldo Salinas 
 10 June 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I highly recommend the team at Janicek Law. From the very beginning, they provided outstanding legal service that was both professional and deeply compassionate. The entire staff is incredibly knowledgeable, and they made a complex process feel manageable and stress-free. It’s rare to find a firm that combines such high-level legal expertise with a genuinely friendly, client-focused approach. I am very grateful for their support and would choose them again without hesitation.
  
 
 
 
  
 
   Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 358 reviews

Janicek Law handled my case with such professionalism. I was always kept in the loop about what was going on with my case. Cassidy Muniz is amazing at what she does and I really felt like they actually cared about me and my case. Highly recommend Janicek Law Firm!

I could not be happier with the service and compassion from the Janicek Law Firm. They were friendly, responsive and knowledgeable throughout the entire process. I would give ten stars if I could – They are excellent!

Janicek Law was patient and understanding to my situation – it’s a fight – but they would make my father proud. Thanks you for taking the time to look over my case and speaking up for my family.

Beth and Mona have been truly helpful with our case! They have really done an amazing job. I would highly recommend them to anyone I know.

Incredibly talented and knowledgeable attorneys that will fight negligent nursing homes and bring Justice to the elderly and their families.

I am very happy and pleased with the Janicek Law Firm. I had such a difficult time finding someone to look into my case. The Janicek Law Firm has been very professional and attentive to my questions. They will take the time and review your situation and have been very dedicated in reviewing my case.