Elderly people who reside in nursing homes need extra support in all aspects when it comes to caring for themselves. Many elderly people are likely to deal with appetite loss, and as a result, they may struggle to consume adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals. This lack of basic nutrition can lead to a vicious cycle of sickness.
Nursing home carers have the responsibility to monitor and care for nursing home residents. They should know what type of diet would be best for every individual patient, and therefore, they should do what they can in order to ensure that malnutrition is not a problem. If you have a loved one who is residing in a nursing home and you believe that their diet is not adequate, you may want to consider filing a nursing home abuse claim.
When does malnutrition count as abuse?
It is a reality that many nursing home residents need assistance when eating and drinking. If they do not receive this assistance, it could be classed as abuse or neglect. Residents will likely be suffering and in distress if they are malnourished and dehydrated.
Malnutrition epidemics can occur in assisted living facilities where staff are uneducated on the importance of assistive care. They may also be more common when a facility is understaffed since workers will not have enough time to tend to the needs of all residents.
If you believe that your loved one is suffering due to malnutrition and neglect, it is important to know that action can be taken against the responsible party.