Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers
Orlando, Florida
Malnutrition poses a life-threatening health risk for people of any age, and can quickly become deadly in the elderly.
Dangers of malnutrition
Malnutrition affects the entire body and the brain. The results go beyond weight loss to risk of death from falls and secondary conditions that the body no longer has the strength to fight. Malnutrition can cause:
- Muscle weakness
- Falls
- Confusion
- Lowered immunity
- Infections
- Sores
- Pneumonia
- Poor wound healing
Causes of malnutrition
Malnutrition can be a normal part of aging, but nursing homes have a responsibility to prevent malnutrition whenever possible, and to inform loved ones of the problem and the cause when it cannot be prevented.
Many of the causes of malnutrition can be corrected if they are detected by caregivers. Failure to detect and address malnutrition is neglect. Causes of malnutrition include:
- Illness
- Dental problems or poor fitting dentures
- Depression
- Reactions to medications
- Swallowing disorders
- Tremors
- Lack of assistance with eating
- Failure to feed patient
- Mental or emotional abuse
- Inappropriate diet
- Isolation
- Loss of appetite
- Being rushed through meals
- Limited or no access to snacks
Signs of malnutrition
A trained professional should be able to recognize malnutrition, but loved ones may mistake the signs of malnutrition for the normal effects of aging. Warning signs of malnutrition include:
- Clothing fitting loosely
- Sunken eyes
- Thinning hair
- Slow wound healing
- Frequent infections
- Skin breaking down
- Confusion
- Frequent falls
- Weakness
- Poor fitting dentures
- Pale skin
- Pale lips and mouth
- Weight loss
If you believe that you or your loved one is suffering from nursing home malnutrition in Orlando, or anywhere in Florida, don't wait. Please contact one of our experienced nursing home neglect attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter today to schedule your initial consultation.
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