Elderly bodies have particular needs that must be met every day, including proper nutrition from food and drink, as well as vitamins, minerals, and other supplements that are tailored to each person's needs. Elderly nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to many ailments that can result from malnutrition, especially because many residents struggle to articulate what they are feeling or what they need.
When nursing home staff fail to provide their residents with appropriate nutrition or sufficient hydration, the consequences can be devastating. Some studies estimate the problem of malnutrition and dehydration in nursing homes to be so severe that out of roughly 1,600,000 nursing home residents about one-third of them suffer from some kind of malnourishment. It can be difficult to spot signs of malnutrition in your loved one, but if you are worried that they are suffering from sudden or mysterious fatigue, mouth sores, or vision loss, consider speaking with an experienced nursing home injury attorney right away.
How Does Nursing Home Malnourishment Develop?
Unfortunately, the primary cause of malnourishment or dehydration in nursing homes is a result of staff who are overworked, careless, or who simply have a lack of concern for their charges. Inadequate staffing levels can force even the most well-meaning employees to compromise appropriate nutrition and attention to residents’ care. Staff turnover rates at nursing homes are quite high, leading to sufficient training and avoidable mistakes. Proper management, hiring practices, and training regimens at nursing homes can prevent most or all of these staffing problems.
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