Residents in nursing homes count on the staff members at the facility to help care for them. The level of care and specific assistance they need depends on the circumstances of the resident.
Some nursing home residents have significant limitations that make it impossible for them to feed themselves. This puts them at risk of malnutrition, particularly if they’re not being properly monitored.
Serious harm can result from malnutrition
Residents of nursing homes likely have very specific dietary needs, based on their current medical conditions and other determinants. The dietary needs can include specific nutrient requirements, but it isn’t limited to that. It can also impact the frequency of meals.
When a long-term care resident’s dietary needs aren’t met, due to being ignored or poorly managed, the person can suffer serious harm. Some of the possibilities include confusion, frequent infections, slowed healing and fatigue. It’s also possible that they may suffer from weakness, which can lead to falls.
Lack of staffing can impact malnutrition
One of the issues that can sometimes lead to malnutrition in these care facilities is lack of proper staffing. When there’s not enough staff in the facility, there might not be anyone who can help to feed a resident who can’t feed themselves or to monitor how much food the resident actually eats.
Malnutrition is a serious issue that can lead to legal action, particularly if the long-term care resident suffers harm. These cases are often complex, so working with someone familiar with these matters may be beneficial. It may hinge on reviewing medical records, care logs and interviews. Time is limited to get these cases filed, so it’s critical for anyone dealing with this to take action quickly.
