Malnutrition

Massachusetts and Rhode Island Nursing Home Litigation Attorney

If your family member has experienced weight loss while in nursing home care in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, contact me, lawyer Jeffrey Padwa. Weight loss may be a sign of malnutrition.

Malnutrition, like dehydration, is a serious health problem among the elderly. Since the elderly have a reduced sense of taste and appetite, proactive steps may be required to prevent physical decline and wrongful death due to starvation.

Attorney Padwa is highly trained and experienced in evaluating, investigating and pursuing cases in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and in other states nationwide.

Signs of Elderly Malnutrition

You should contact an attorney if you notice signs of malnutrition in a family member. Those signs may include:

• Unintentional weight loss
• Frequent hospitalization
• Decline in health
• Loss or physical and cognitive abilities
• Dizziness, lethargy, weakness

Causes of Elderly Malnutrition

Elderly malnutrition can have multiple causes:

• Inadequate food intake
• Poor food choices (Since the elderly often eat less, it is more important to eat nutritional food)
• Illness
• Poor nutrient absorption
• Depression causing a lack of appetite
• Medications causing a lack of appetite
• Decreased sense of taste

Preventing Elderly Malnutrition

Assuring adequate nutrition for the elderly requires proactive measures, which may include the following:

• Increase protein intake by adding meat or peanut butter
• Offer liquid nutritional supplements between meals
• Change medication that causes a lack of appetite
• Treat conditions such as depression that cause a lack of appetite
• Offer a more liberal diet
• Offer frequent small meals
• Offer nutritional foods
• Offer flavor enhancers

Nursing Home Liability for Malnutrition

In almost all cases, elderly malnutrition is caused by neglect. Nursing home dietitians are required to assess the nutritional needs of their residents and plan healthy meals and snacks. The nursing home is supposed to monitor food intake and take steps to encourage the eating of healthy foods.

A nursing home or assisted living residence may be found liable for failing to prevent malnutrition while a resident is in their care. Personal injury claims and wrongful death cases hold nursing homes accountable, help protect other seniors from similar harm, recover money damages for injured persons and their families, and help families to gain emotional closure.

Free Consultation: Concerned about your loved one's care in a nursing home or assisted living residence? Call Rhode Island nursing home injury lawyer Jeffrey Padwa.