By Dan Noll on October 13th, 2024 in Nursing Home Abuse
Springfield Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Explains the 5 Dangers of Malnutrition in a Nursing Home
One of the most important things that nursing homes and long-term facilities must do for its residents is to ensure they are receiving proper nutrition. This is sometimes overlooked when it comes to a nursing home’s responsibilities, but it is incredibly important because malnutrition can result in a whole host of serious and potentially deadly health complications and other dangers of malnutrition in a nursing home. Unfortunately, according to recent studies, malnutrition affects between 35% and 85% of nursing home residents, depending on the specific criteria used for assessment. Another report found that approximately 20% of nursing home residents suffer from severe malnutrition, while an additional 50% are at risk of developing nutritional deficiencies. When a resident suffers from any health complications due to malnutrition in a nursing home, they should consult with a Springfield nursing home malpractice lawyer for help – especially if one of the 5 dangers of malnutrition in a nursing home may have occurred.
At the Noll Law Office, their compassionate legal team knows that malnutrition in nursing homes can lead to a range of serious health complications, reduced quality of life, and in some cases, wrongful death. Residents of nursing homes in Illinois are supposed to receive proper care and treatment, which includes nutrition that fits their unique needs. The failure to do so could be a form of nursing home abuse or neglect, or it could be related to nursing home negligence. As a result, victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for their personal injuries. Schedule a free appointment with an experienced Springfield nursing home abuse lawyer to learn more about your rights if you suspect malnutrition may have contributed to your loved one’s injuries in a nursing home in Illinois by dialing (217) 414-8889.
Understanding the Main 5 Dangers of Malnutrition in a Nursing Home
There are many different types of serious complications that could be caused by malnutrition. Indeed, the main 5 dangers of malnutrition in a nursing home are generally all preventable. However, nursing homes and long-term care facilities often cut corners on dieticians and maintaining proper foods for their residents – usually to save money and time.
The top 5 dangers of malnutrition in a nursing home in Illinois include the following:
1. Increased Risk of Infections
Malnutrition severely compromises the immune system, making elderly residents more susceptible to infections – especially if they are recovering from a surgery, in rehab, or otherwise recovering from another illness, surgery, or condition. A weakened immune response can turn minor illnesses into life-threatening conditions, including UTIs and respiratory illnesses.
These infections can lead to prolonged hospitalizations, decreased quality of life, and in severe cases, fatal outcomes for conditions that are normally survivable and not dangerous. Proper nutrition is crucial in maintaining a robust immune system capable of fighting off pathogens and protecting overall health of residents, especially as they are healing or recovering from other conditions or ailments.
2. Impaired Wound Healing and Increased Likelihood of Bedsores
Adequate nutrition plays a vital role in the body’s ability to heal wounds and recover from injuries, as well as to fight off wounds that could be caused like bedsores. Malnutrition significantly impairs this process, leading to delayed healing and increased risk of complications for scenarios that would not normally cause those risks – such as sitting in a chair, couch, or bed for long periods of time.
For nursing home residents, this can mean the following:
- Slower recovery from surgical procedures
- Increased risk of pressure ulcers or bedsores
- Higher likelihood of wound infections or at surgical sites
- Prolonged healing time for cuts, bruises, and other injuries, including even just at IV sites or injection sites
- Mouth wounds, sores, or injuries that can also get infected and turn to an abscess, and
Other types of wounds and injuries that could affect residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities that a Springfield nursing home abuse lawyer could handle for you and your family.
Increased Risk for Bedsores
To this point, with impaired wound healing comes the increased likelihood of bedsores and pressure sores. Indeed, malnutrition also significantly increases the risk of developing pressure sores and bedsores. When the body lacks essential nutrients, especially protein and vitamins, the skin becomes more fragile and prone to breakdown. This vulnerability, combined with reduced mobility and weakened muscle tissue, creates perfect conditions for pressure sores to form when nursing home staff fail to properly monitor and guard against bedsores. Sometimes this is even in direct contradiction to their facility’s policies and procedures, which further highlight how negligent a facility really is when bedsores form due to malnutrition.
These wounds can develop quickly in malnourished individuals, often starting as small red marks and rapidly progressing to open, infected ulcers that are necrotizing (flesh-eating). Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, are categorized into four grades based on their severity:
- Grade I: The mildest form, appearing as a persistent red area on the skin that does not blanch when pressed. The skin remains intact but may be painful or feel different from surrounding areas.
- Grade II: The outer layer of skin is damaged or lost, creating a shallow open sore. It may also present as an intact or ruptured blister filled with clear fluid.
- Grade III: The ulcer extends through all layers of the skin, exposing subcutaneous fat. The wound appears as a deep crater, and there may be evidence of tissue death. This is a medical emergency that can become life-threatening very quickly, usually before infections are almost guaranteed at this stage.
- Grade IV: The most severe stage, where extensive tissue death occurs, potentially exposing muscle, tendon, or bone. These ulcers can extend into supporting structures like fascia, causing serious complications such as bone infections. This is a medical emergency and is life-threatening, usually resulting in sepsis.
3. Muscle Wasting and Reduced Mobility
Protein-energy malnutrition, a common form of nutritional deficiency in nursing homes, can result in significant muscle wasting. This condition, known as sarcopenia, leads to a loss of muscle mass and strength. The consequences of muscle wasting include the following:
- Increased risk of falls and fractures
- Reduced ability to perform daily activities independently
- Decreased mobility and physical function
- Heightened risk of bed sores and pressure ulcers due to immobility
The loss of independence and mobility associated with muscle wasting can have profound psychological effects on nursing home residents, leading to depression, social isolation, and a further decline in overall health.
4. Cognitive Decline and Mental Health Issues
Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining cognitive function and mental health in older adults. Malnutrition can accelerate cognitive decline and exacerbate existing mental health conditions. The effects of nutritional deficiencies on mental health in nursing home residents may include an increased risk of developing dementia or worsening of existing cognitive impairment, higher rates of depression and anxiety, and other cognitive effects like confusion and disorientation.
These mental health consequences can significantly impact a resident’s quality of life and their ability to engage with family, friends, and caregivers, but also increase their changes of being involved in an accident such as a slip and fall, due to wandering, elopement, or other injuries due to malnutrition.
5. Increased Mortality Risk
Perhaps the most alarming danger of malnutrition in nursing homes is the increased risk of mortality. Malnourished residents have a significantly higher risk of death compared to their well-nourished counterparts. This increased mortality risk is attributed to the following:
- The cumulative effects of weakened immune function
- Increased susceptibility to infections and complications
- Reduced ability to recover from illnesses and injuries
- Overall decline in physical and mental health
- Increased likelihood to be involved in accidents due to impairs such as falls, and the increased chance for suffering serious injuries due to those falls because of weakness or vulnerability, and
- Other common risks of serious injury and wrongful death that a Springfield nursing home abuse lawyer could handle for you and your family.
Hurt by One of the 5 Dangers of Malnutrition in a Nursing Home in Illinois? Call the Noll Law Office
The Springfield nursing home abuse lawyers at the Noll Law Office can help victims and their families after malnutrition has contributed to or outright caused serious injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one. The dangers of malnutrition in nursing homes are severe and far-reaching, and are much work than man families and victims may initially believe. As an Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer, Sarah Noll and Dan Noll have seen the devastating impact of nursing home abuse, neglect, negligence, and just outright inadequate care on vulnerable elderly residents.
That’s why, if you suspect that your loved one is suffering from malnutrition or neglect in a nursing home, it is essential to call their compassionate legal team at the Noll Law Office to schedule a free consultation by dialing (217) 414-8889 or by sending a message here. They are happy to speak with you and your family, answering your questions and providing accurate answers to your rights under the law.