Tracking the rate of elder abuse across the nation isn’t easy. Researchers estimate that approximately 10% of senior citizens experience some form of abuse, with rates increasing in long-term care facilities like nursing homes.
One of the reasons why it’s hard to give a confident estimate is that some forms of elderly neglect are less noticeable. For example, you might realize your loved one is not eating. Is this a personal choice or a sign of nursing home mistreatment?
Read on as we discuss issues surrounding malnutrition and seniors who aren’t eating in nursing homes.
Signs Your Loved One Is Not Eating
Seniors aren’t always forthcoming about the treatment they’re facing. Here are some potential signs that your loved one isn’t eating in their nursing home.
Weight Loss
Naturally, one of the most common signs of malnutrition is weight loss. You may notice that your loved one’s face looks thinner or that their clothing no longer fits. You may also notice weakness caused by accompanying muscle loss.
On the contrary, weight gain can also indicate poor nutrition. If balanced meals are being replaced by low-value, calorie-dense foods, your loved one may gain weight rapidly.
Poor Immunity
There are many health hazards of malnutrition in seniors, including increased risk of death or hospitalization. This is in large part because malnutrition can weaken the immune system.
Seniors in nursing homes typically already have at least one condition that compromises immune function. Prolonged malnutrition can put them at extreme risk, especially when viruses like the flu are going around.
Dehydration
If seniors aren’t receiving the caloric intake they need, they’re likely also not getting enough water throughout the day. Dehydration can set in much faster than malnutrition, with symptoms like:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Dark urine
- Muscle cramps
- Vision problems
- Confusion or disorientation
The latter can present as cognitive decline and is often mistaken for an early stage of dementia. Make sure your loved one evaluates possible dehydration in addition to running cognitive tests.
Complaints of Hunger and Thirst
If your loved one has cognitive issues, it may be difficult to gauge the truth of their concerns. For example, seniors with dementia may grow distrustful of their caretakers despite no real symptoms of abuse.
However, many seniors develop a diminished sense of hunger and thirst. If your loved one tells you they are often hungry or thirsty, it’s worth investigating their claims.
When Not Eating Is a Sign of Elderly Neglect
Identifying nursing home abuse isn’t easy, especially when the type of abuse is something subtle, like neglect. How do you know if your loved one is being abused versus simply refusing food? Here are the ways in which not eating can be a sign of elderly neglect.
Lack of Adequate Meals
Under Georgia state law, nursing homes are required to provide adequate meals to their residents. A registered dietician must approve nursing home meal plans. Residents must receive meals no further than five hours apart during the day, with no more than 14 hours between dinner and breakfast.
If seniors in a nursing home aren’t receiving adequate meals in terms of amount and nutritional value, this is a form of neglect.
Lack of Eating Assistance
Many nursing home residents require assistance with activities of daily living, including eating. If they are unable to feed themselves, staff members must step in.
That means that even if your loved one is receiving adequate meals, staff members are demonstrating abuse if they are expecting seniors to feed themselves when they are unable to do so.
Lack of Dietary Accommodations
Georgia state law also requires nursing homes to make adjustments to meal plans based on things like age and physical condition. For example, seniors with serious dental health problems should receive soft foods that they can properly chew and swallow.
If your loved one is not eating, assess the types of food they receive. If their meals do not accommodate their physical or dietary needs as diagnosed by a doctor or dietician, they are experiencing neglect.
What to Do About Malnutrition in Nursing Homes
If you suspect that not eating is a sign that your loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse, it’s time to take action. Here are some of the steps to follow to protect your loved one and seek justice for the damage that was already done.
Consult a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
You can seek elder care legal help if you suspect abuse. An experienced nursing home abuse lawyer can help you collect the necessary evidence to file a claim against your loved one’s nursing home.
The purpose of these claims is to receive financial compensation for relevant damages. For example, malnutrition can cause undue physical health problems. Claims can seek compensation for related medical bills and more.
Find Out About Nutrition Policies
With the help of an attorney, find out more about a nursing home’s nutrition policies. Nursing homes must keep records of prior menus for 30 days.
Assess these menus with an attorney and your loved one’s medical care provider. This will allow you to determine if a nursing home’s meal plan meets both state laws and your loved one’s specific health needs.
Report Your Concerns
In addition to seeking financial compensation for damages, you should report elder abuse. This can open a detailed investigation of a nursing home, which can lead to protection for all current and future residents.
Contact the Department of Community Health to report suspected elder abuse in Georgia. Keep in mind that reporting abuse to the state government will not, in and of itself, yield financial compensation for your loved one.
Dealing With Elderly Neglect? Call David Bell Law Firm
Do you suspect that your loved one is not eating in their nursing home? Are you concerned that malnutrition may reflect abusive or neglectful behaviors? David Bell Law Firm can help.
David Bell Law Firm has helped Georgia clients seek financial justice in cases of elder abuse, malpractice, and more for over 30 years. Contact us to work with some of Augusta’s most established and successful attorneys.
