What are the major problems plaguing nursing home care in the United States, and how do these issues impact resident safety?

According to a GAO report covering a five-year period before the pandemic, nursing home care faces critical systemic problems. A staggering 82% of nursing homes have been cited for infection prevention and control deficiencies, with approximately half experiencing persistent problems that span multiple years, indicating deep-rooted issues rather than isolated incidents. The root cause of many problems is severe understaffing in these facilities. Nursing assistants, who are typically low-paid workers, are often responsible for caring for far too many residents simultaneously. This creates a dangerous cycle where overworked staff cannot provide adequate care, leading to compromised infection control and overall resident safety. These findings highlight urgent need for improved oversight, better staffing ratios, and systemic reforms in long-term care facilities to protect our aging population's dignity and wellbeing.