Most people in Massachusetts and elsewhere all have aging loved ones. While we would all like to see elderly family members and friends age gracefully without any major health issues, this is not always the case. Although some people can manage to care for an elderly loved one in their own home, this isn’t possible for everyone. Because of that, nursing homes and assisted living facilities were established. While these can be very welcoming and stable environments for aging loved ones, one should always be weary of nursing home neglect.
It is not always easy to detect when elder abuse or neglect occurs because it takes many shapes and happens in various degrees. Therefore, the best way to prevent it from occurring is taking the steps to understand the signs associated with major types of nursing home neglect. One of these is ensuring that a loved one is getting proper care such as food, water and nutrition.
What are the signs and symptoms of malnutrition? First, it is important to understand what malnutrition is. This is defined as poor nutrition and means that a person in undernourished and is not getting enough of the essential nutrients to maintain a healthy body. Common symptoms include weight loss, tiredness, not being able to perform usual tasks, being less active, change in mood, becoming depressed and lethargic, loss of appetite, poor concentration and other similar symptoms.
Elderly people are especially vulnerable to malnutrition, and many tenants at a nursing home rely on the staff and nurses at the facility to ensure that they are getting enough nutrients. Serious medical conditions could result if a person is not getting the essential nutrients that are required to stay healthy.
If a person suspects that a loved one is suffering from malnutrition due to nursing home neglect, it is important to understand that there are recourses available. A personal injury claim could help an individual recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, rehabilitation and other related damages.
Source: WebMD, “Malnutrition,” accessed July 18, 2016
