Poor Nutrition in Nursing Homes is Abuse in Oregon, Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Explains Malnutrition
Malnutrition is devastating to experience and see, regardless of who you are or where you come from. It is even more devastating when a senior experiences malnutrition, because, in many cases, the senior is completely helpless to doing anything about it. Luckily, if a loved one or responsible staff member notices this malnutrition, for example, help may be on the way. If or if not, elder abuse neglect has taken place, and help and compensation are due immediately. Contact our Oregon nursing home abuse attorney today to get the help and compensation you or your loved one deserves if you suspect your loved one suffered elder abuse or malnutrition in an Oregon nursing home.
Malnutrition in the Nursing Home Population
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), elder abuse is: “an intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult.” The CDC goes on to explain that caregivers or a person the elder person trusts are usually responsible for this abuse.
Elder abuse takes many forms: sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse, financial exploitation, emotional abuse, and neglect. In turn, neglect can itself take many different forms: dehydration, poor hygiene, malnutrition, and other physical issues. Neglect is failing to meet a particular standard that meets the elder’s basic needs. This includes food, or nutrition.
What are the signs that a loved one in a nursing home is not being fed properly and is consequently, experiencing malnutrition? Fortunately, looking for malnutrition in the elderly population is not vastly different than it would be in a non-elderly person. Still, there are unique characteristics that an elderly person will exhibit, in comparison to a non-elderly person. Contact our Oregon nursing home abuse attorney to learn more about these characteristics and pursue a nursing home abuse claim.
Signs of Malnutrition in Seniors
- Physical issues arise or worsen—if the resident all of the sudden lacks energy tremendously, or seems more frail than usual, they may not be obtaining adequate food, or nutritious food. Similarly, if they have lost a lot of weight, look pale, or exhibits any other traditional signs of malnutrition and hunger, nursing home staff should be notified immediately.
- Understaffing—if the home has undergone recent staffing changes, or has consistently been understaffed, it is well worth investigating whether the resident or loved one is getting the attention and care necessary to stay nourished.
- Dehydration—if the resident appears dehydrated, it is possible that they are not being fed properly as well.
- Mood fluctuations—if the resident appears more moody than usual or is acting erratically, that can often signal that there are changes in the resident’s environment that are making them upset. It is important to not brush these moods off, but to look into them further. Likewise, if the resident is reluctant toward staff, this can mean more.
- Other neglect or abuse appears—if you notice that the resident is suffering from some other abuse or neglect, it is likely that there is more than just one form of abuse or neglect occurring. Other forms of abuse or neglect would include: poor personal hygiene, being left in bed for excessive periods of time, psychological abuse, financial exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, dehydration, and any other form of abuse and neglect.
Call our Oregon Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer for a FREE Consultation to Learn More
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of nursing home abuse or neglect contact the Oregon Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take Nursing Home Abuse cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.
