Bobby Jones Law is a nursing home elderly malnutrition law firm. If you or a loved one has suffered inadequate nutrition in a residential care facility, you may have a claim for compensation. Call 864-362-2640 for a free consultation with an experienced Greenville nursing home abuse attorney.
What Is Elderly Malnutrition in Nursing Homes?
Elderly malnutrition in nursing homes is the inadequate provision of food or water to a resident in a care facility.
The World Health Organization says that a person may be malnourished when their diet is:
- Deficient—too little food
- Imbalanced—inappropriate amounts of nutrients
- Excessive—too much food
A person who is malnourished may have a low weight for their height or age. They may have nutrient deficiencies because they aren’t getting vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, fiber, or other things their bodies need. A person may be malnourished despite having excessive food intake, leading to obesity or associated noncommunicable diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer.
Is Elderly Malnutrition in Nursing Homes a Serious Problem?
A study in the National Library of Medicine says that about 20% of nursing home residents are malnourished. Reported malnutrition rates vary significantly due to differing definitions. Studies indicate that malnutrition affects between 1.5% and 66.5% of residents in care facilities.
Regardless of the definition, malnutrition in nursing homes is a serious problem. The Center for Medicare Advocacy says that 25% of nursing homes spend less than $10 per day to feed residents. Food inadequacies are common and increasing. In 2023, nursing home ombudsman offices received 8,485 food complaints, representing a 50% increase over a three-year period.
Another study found that 8.4% of nursing home residents are malnourished, while only 54.6% of care facility residents are well nourished.
Signs Your Loved One May Be Suffering from Malnutrition
These symptoms could indicate that your loved one may be suffering from malnutrition:
- Significant weight loss or gain in a short period of time
- Complaints about food quality or meal service, anxiety about food, fixation on food
- Not wanting to eat
- Mental health decline, irritability, depression, anxiety, confusion, cognitive decline
- Overall health decline without an explanation
- Dry skin, hair loss
- Infection, slow wound healing, swelling, fluid retention, sores
- Tiredness, fainting
- Loss of muscle mass
- Changes in socialization
Some symptoms of malnutrition, like social withdrawal, may seem unrelated, but malnutrition may be an underlying factor.
Common Causes of Malnutrition in Long-Term Care Facilities
Common causes of malnutrition in long-term care facilities include the following:
- Not enough staff members to assist during mealtimes
- Failing to recognize when a person needs help eating and drinking
- An inadequate variety of food
- Not adjusting the diet to a person’s unique needs
- Failing to monitor overall health, including weight
- Improper food safety and handling
- Rushing residents at mealtimes
- Medication side effects
- Health issues that make nutritional needs complex
- Containers that are hard to open or improper utensils
- Using access to food as a control or discipline technique
There may be multiple, co-occurring causes of resident malnutrition in a nursing home.
Malnutrition Can Lead to Bedsores
Nutrient deprivation can be a key factor in the development of serious trauma like bedsores and pressure injuries. Inadequate nutrition decreases the body’s ability to repair itself. One study reports that protein, zinc, animo acids, and vitamin deficits can impair wound healing. Dehydration can disrupt cell metabolism and repair.
When a malnourished person develops bedsores, it can be especially devastating, because the body doesn’t have the resources it needs to heal. The longer a resident goes without proper nutrition, the greater risk they have for skin breakdown and severe pressure injuries.
When Is Malnutrition Considered Nursing Home Neglect?
Malnutrition in a nursing home constitutes neglect if it arises from a failure to provide reasonable care to a resident. In a nursing home, a resident has the right to expect food that is:
- Enough but not too much
- Varied to provide nutrients
- Tailored to meet individual needs
- Served in a way that they can eat and with enough time to eat
The legal requirement is that the nursing home provide reasonable nutrition. There is an overall requirement for the facility that nourishing meals are provided regularly. There is also a legal obligation that individual nutritional needs are addressed. The standard is reasonableness, given the circumstances.
When a nursing home is negligent, reckless, or intentionally harmful in failing to provide adequate nutrition to a resident, the victim may have a legal claim.
Health Complications and Long-Term Risks from Malnutrition
Malnutrition can cause severe health complications, quality of life impacts, and mortality. Chronic disease, immune system impairment, and cognitive decline are some of the serious complications that may develop from malnutrition.
To have a legal claim, the person must have been harmed by inadequate care in a way that is documentable and supported by evidence.
Legal Rights of Residents Suffering from Malnutrition
Someone who suffers from malnutrition in a nursing home may:
- Report nursing home abuse
- Bring a legal claim seeking compensation
- Make a report to the nursing home facility
- Ask for an updated individual care plan to address their needs
Bobby Jones Law is a nursing home malnutrition lawyer who assists residents and their families with nursing home problems. We protect your rights and advocate for you.
What Is a Nursing Home Malnutrition Lawyer?
A nursing home malnutrition lawyer advocates for individuals who have been harmed because of inadequate care in a nursing home. They can also represent families in cases of wrongful death.
A nursing home malnutrition attorney provides legal representation to help secure financial compensation for those affected.
How a Nursing Home Malnutrition Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim
A nursing home malnutrition lawyer can investigate the situation. They can provide legal advice and explain if you have a claim for compensation. They can also assess the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
Your lawyer can file your claim in court and advance the case through the legal process. They can build evidence, negotiate your compensation, and represent you in hearings.
Bobby Jones Law is a nursing home malnutrition lawyer that offers complete representation to our clients. We can create a comprehensive case plan and manage your case from start to finish. As your attorney, we represent your interests, seeking justice and the compensation you deserve.
Contact
If you or a loved one has been harmed in a care facility, contact Bobby Jones Law. See how a nursing home malnutrition lawyer can assist you. We encourage you to contact us to discuss your situation with a lawyer.
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