Families alarmed by staffing shortages at The Haven report compromised patient care.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Families with loved ones at The Haven nursing facility in Charlotte are voicing growing concerns about staffing shortages they say are compromising patient care.
Maggie Bond, whose mother recently became a resident at the facility, described the emotional toll of the decision.
“My mom has done a lot for me in my 60 years,” Bond said. “I’m losing my best friend and that’s hard because she’s one of the sweetest things on this planet, and she needed more than I can give.”
Bond is among several family members raising alarms about staffing levels at The Haven.
“We are complaining about the workers and the way they are running this place. We need more workers, we need more staff,” Bond said.
After months of waiting to address their concerns with facility administrators, families say a planned meeting was abruptly canceled when WCNC Charlotte’s crew arrived.
“We actually going to cancel the meeting,” a facility spokesperson told families, according to multiple attendees. Family members reported being told that administrators were uncomfortable meeting with journalists present and wanted to speak with families individually instead.
Steve Monroe, whose father is a resident, described staff-to-patient ratios as concerning.
“There will be times when there are 16 people in a wing and one person. People are working 16 and 24-hour shifts,” Monroe said. “The staffing is the issue that’s creating the falls because they are happening a lot. My father has fallen twice.”
The situation reflects a broader trend across North Carolina. Data from the state’s Department of Health and Human Services shows increasing vacancies at care facilities and a rise in complaints.
“I’ve seen cases where they are helping and assisting each other because there is no one there to help them, and they don’t even know where they are really,” Monroe said.
Family members say they are now taking their concerns to county and state officials in search of solutions.
“This is the worst it’s ever been,” Bond said.
The Haven facility did not respond to requests for additional comment.
