Older adults who move into nursing homes often do so because they cannot properly care for themselves anymore. They might forget to feed themselves or may struggle to cook nutritious meals.
Nursing homes provide nutrition support by developing balanced meal plans and handling all of the preparation for meals. Older adults living in nursing homes and similar facilities should receive a wide range of different nutritious foods to ensure that they receive adequate micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, and macronutrients, including complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and lean proteins.
When older adults develop malnutrition despite living in nursing homes, families may have reason to question the standard of care at that facility.
Malnutrition is relatively common
According to research into the safety and living standards of nursing home residents, as many as one in five older adults in nursing homes may have some symptoms of malnutrition. In some cases, malnutrition can be a result of insufficient calories due to portion control or workers ignoring when residents fail to eat their meals. There may even be an element of intentional abuse, such as withholding food from residents as punishment.
Other times, malnutrition can be a result of using poor-quality foods that do not provide appropriate nutrients for vulnerable older adults. Malnutrition can have dire health implications for older adults. They may require hospitalization, medication or a special diet to recover from malnutrition. Their future care costs could also be higher.
Those dealing with the medical and financial aftermath of a malnutrition issue may have grounds for a nursing home negligence lawsuit. Reviewing medical documents and nursing home practices with a skilled legal team can help families identify problematic business practices that may have led to malnutrition.