Concerned About Weight Loss in Nursing Home Residents

When your loved one is being cared for by a nursing home and its staff, the first thing that families may find themselves worrying about are medications. Although medication is an absolute necessity for the health and proper treatment of a nursing home resident, there is another component of healthcare that is often over looked—nutrition. A proper and individualized nutrition plan can prevent diseases from occurring and or progressing. Proper nutrition also maintains a healthy body weight and digestive health.  Nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys view nutrition as one of the most important aspects to their client’s cases. Often during investigations, a resident’s nutrition plan is carefully looked at to check for any negligence regarding nutrition and diet.

One of the most common nutritional issues in nursing homes is weight loss. This is also one of the most treatable conditions by way of strategic nutritional care plans by nutritionists, nurses and doctors.  If weight loss is not properly treated and or communicated and documented amongst all staff caring for a resident, it can lead to serious injuries including bed sores, depression, higher risk of infection and even death.  

Pressure ulcers are one of the most common injuries associated with weight loss. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, “One in five nursing home residents with a recent weight loss had pressure ulcers.” The road from pressure ulcers can be a terrifying and painful experience for residents and their families to endure. If pressure ulcers are not properly treated, other infections can form such as sepsis, osteomyelitis (bone infection), and the overall pain and suffering of a resident will be increased. The occurrence and progression of all serious diseases attributed by weight loss in residents is not tolerated by the nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Malman Law.

If your loved one experienced rapid weight loss in a nursing home, it is pertinent that you call a nursing home abuse attorney today to further investigate any negligence that may have occurred. By calling a nursing home abuse attorney, you and your loved ones will submit a case that will help to higher the standards and practices of all nursing homes. The Law Offices of Steven J. Malman & Associates, P.C. are committed to fighting against nursing home abuse and neglect. Our experienced attorneys are also committed to performing detailed investigations to submit a successful claim. We can ensure that we will fight for maximum compensation to relieve high medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call our office today to speak with a nursing home abuse attorney to learn about your legal rights. Malman Law only works on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we do not get paid unless you do.