Malnutrition in Nursing Home Residents
As our bodies get older, people tend to lost more nutrition, therefore proper nutrition among the elderly is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform estimates that nearly 40 percent of nursing home residents suffer from malnutrition. Malnutrition can be due to the neglect of nursing home or assisted living staff. The individual may not be getting the proper nutrients -- this is not just the wrong food or lack of food but improper or no vitamin intake. Proper absorption and digestion of food is important for the individual's health and life, the provider should be held legally responsible for their lack of care on the resident. An Arizona Nursing Home Advocate Attorney can assist in your legal needs involving a relative who has suffered from malnutrition due to the neglect of a nursing home residence.
Symptoms of Malnutrition
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Weak immune system
- Decrease in Weight
- Dark Urine
- Tremors
- Fever
- Various Infections
- Anemia
- Memory loss or Confusion
Environment tends to be the cause of malnutrition and it may lead to more severe diseases and medical conditions, which may become fatal or costly to your family. NCCNHR can cause both physical and psychological diseases. The medical conditions can vary from medium to severe and include but are not limited to: heart disease, chronic lung disease, kidney disease, and even liver disease. This can counteract with medications and complicate residents' health in nursing homes or living assistant housing. Malnutrition shortens the life span further of an individual, and it can be easily prevented.
Prevention of Malnutrition
A key way to help in the prevention of a possible fatality of an individual or other medical problems of a loved one in a nursing home is not only to watch out for know malnutrition symptoms but look at physical appearance of the family member or friend.
Physical appearance Symptoms:
- Dry Mouth
- Pale look
- Sunken Eyes
- Cracked lips
- Bright discolored Tongue
- Thin hair
- Dry Skin
- Less Muscle Mass
How does the Law work for you?
The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 is a federal law that aids in protecting the residents' rights in nursing homes, including care to avoid malnutrition. The reform act states that each resident should and has a right to a proper, well-balanced meal even if the patient is uncooperative and does not want to eat. The Nursing home has to provide some sort of adequate nutritional diet. Each resident should have an appropriate diet that fits their needs -- a plan and schedule should help maintain their health.
Contact an Arizona Nursing Home Advocate Attorney
If someone in a Maricopa County nursing home or assisted living center has been a victim due to negligence the nursing home or assisted living center should be held liable. An Arizona lawyer can help get you the compensation you and your family deserve for the emotional and physical suffering. For more information about how you can legally help your family member, check out www.nursinghomeadvocates.com.
