California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
Whether you have an elderly loved one who resides in a Hayward nursing home or elsewhere in the Bay Area, you should be aware of the risks of malnutrition and nursing home negligence. Older adults are at greater risk of malnutrition when they have certain chronic conditions, and nursing homes have a duty to monitor residents to ensure that they are receiving proper care based on the chronic conditions they have and, if necessary, that they receive certain new types of care to prevent malnutrition. Given that malnutrition is linked to physical decline in addition to increased mortality and morbidity rates, it is essential to recognize signs and symptoms.
If you have an elderly loved one in a San Francisco Bay Area nursing home, what signs or symptoms of malnutrition should alert you to seek help?
Signs of Malnutrition in Elderly Nursing Home Residents
There are many different reasons that an older adult may not get the nutrition they need, from having a limited ability to chew foods to having a chronic condition that impacts how nutrients are absorbed or that changes their metabolism. According to the Alliance for Aging, signs of malnutrition to be aware of include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Unexplained weight loss;
- Unexplained fatigue;
- Swelling;
- Difficulty eating; and/or
- Loss of appetite.
Chronic conditions such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia, and diabetes are all chronic conditions that can put a senior at increased risk of malnutrition. Nursing homes have a duty to provide residents with the level of care they require based on their individual circumstances, which means taking steps to prevent malnutrition and addressing signs of it when they occur.
How Malnutrition Can Cause Harm to an Elderly Person’s Health
How does malnutrition result in an increased risk of infection, disability, and death among elderly nursing home residents? The National Council on Aging (NCOA) cites the following types of consequences from both temporary and prolonged malnutrition, for which a nursing home in the Bay Area may be liable:
- Muscle and bone harm, including making muscles and bones weaker in such a way that mobility, posture, and strength are affected, and serious falls (and resulting fall-related injuries) are more likely;
- Immune system issues, including difficulty healing from infections, developing illnesses and infections more easily, and having difficulty tolerating cancer treatments; and
- Organ damage, including to the eyes, brain, and kidneys, can in turn lead to other serious conditions and effects.
Contact a Hayward Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer for Assistance with a Negligence Claim in the Bay Area
Nursing homes have a duty to provide care for residents, which means ensuring that they have sufficient nutrients and medical care. When a resident is suffering from malnutrition or suffers from other infections or injuries as a result of malnutrition, the facility can be held accountable. One of our experienced Hayward nursing home neglect lawyers can speak with you today about your elderly loved one’s case. Contact the California Nursing Home Law Group to find out more about how we can assist your family and about the broader nursing home abuse and neglect services we provide in the Bay Area.
See Related Blog Posts:
Nursing Home Neglect in the San Francisco Bay Area — Real Stories
