Nursing Home Abuse and Malnutrition

Poor nutrition can be a factor in nursing home abuse

Proper nutrition is essential to a person’s health and increased quality of life. It is particularly important to get proper nutrition as a person ages to avoid various medical conditions. Even though malnutrition is avoidable, approximately two out of five nursing home residents suffer from this form of negligence.

The reasons why so many nursing home residents suffer from malnutrition vary; however, it is mostly due to the negligence of the nursing home’s employees. The following are some reasons why nearly half of all nursing home residents suffer from malnutrition:

·        Education. The nursing home staff is not properly educated on the importance of nutrition and feeding methods, and this in turn diminishes the importance of feeding residences properly and regularly.

·        Adequate Staffing. A serious problem in nursing homes around the United States is the understaffing of nursing homes. When nursing home employees are over-worked, the quality of care decreases and thus leads to various forms of both unintentional and intentional negligence.

·        Supplements. Even though supplements can be beneficial, they do no take the place of eating solid food. When nursing homes rely fully on supplements, solid or liquid, there is a possibility that the residents are not getting the proper nutrition.

According to government statistics, nearly 50% of nursing home residents require assistance with eating and 21% of residences are completely dependent upon another person to feed them. When a resident is not being fed properly, the following medical conditions can occur:

·        Weakness

·        Bedsores

·        Various infections

·        Loss of muscle

·        Organ function failure

·        Lowered immune system

·        Confusion and/or memory loss

·        Death

Therefore, it is very important to question if your loved one is being fed properly and regularly. Speak to the nursing home director about meal plans and schedules.

When you visit your loved one in a nursing home, check for signs of malnutrition. There are many physical signs you can look for. These signs include the following:

·        Pale lips

·        Cracks around the mouth

·        Loose fitting clothes

·        Thinning hair

·        Wounds take longer to heal

·        Significant weight loss

·        Confusion

·        Skin breakdown

It is very difficult to think that your loved one might be suffering from malnutrition, especially if they are completely dependent upon someone else to feed them. A good way to confirm your concerns is to speak to your loved on about this issue, or visit the nursing home at meal times to physically witness that your loved one is being fed properly. If you detect any of the signs listed above, it is important that you speak up and act accordingly.

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