New Jersey Nursing Home Malnutrition and Dehydration Lawyers
Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Represent Clients Injured in Malnutrition and Dehydration Incidents in Middlesex County, Monmouth County, and Throughout NJ
Our elderly in New Jersey deserve the best care. If you believe that a nursing home is not working up to the best standard and supplying your loved one with the necessary care they deserve, then you may be eligible to bring a nursing home negligence claim on behalf of your loved one during this difficult time.
Studies have shown that malnutrition and dehydration are growing issues in nursing homes across New Jersey and the numbers only increase each year. According to statistics, at least a third of nursing home care residents are affected by malnutrition or dehydration at any given time, which means that they are not getting optimal care in these facilities. This issue represents one of the most widespread problems that is prevalent in nursing care facilities every year and one that is easily tackled when staff and those in charge take certain measures to work together on the issue.
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Elderly malnutrition takes place when an elderly person is not being fed enough food in a care facility setting or when they are not getting the right type of food. Elderly people are expected to take certain vitamins to maintain the best health with help of staff and malnutrition can result if they are not eating the healthiest foods available to them. In some nursing homes, studies have shown that as many as 85% of elderly residents were suffering from some type of malnutrition or dehydration that can put them at risk of serious health effects.
The truth is, elderly malnutrition is extremely preventable in nursing home settings. If your loved one is not getting the food or vitamins that they need, then this is a direct result of the neglectful acts of a nursing home and potential mismanagement that should be investigated immediately.
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Why Malnutrition Occurs in Nursing Home Facility Settings
In many cases, malnutrition can result from the types of foods that a facility is serving. However, in the most cases, it sometimes comes down to health care facilities being understaffed and unprepared for the level of care that needs to be given to multiple residents throughout a day’s time. In a large number of settings, you might find that one single certified assistant is responsible for too many people and has too much on their plate at any given time. For instance, one assistant might have to ensure that up to nine or ten residents receive adequate nutrition throughout a day’s time all by themselves. Evening mealtimes in nursing care facilities tend to have even more demands, with up to 15 residents needing cared for at any given time. This means that a nursing staff assistant will have to ensure that all parties received their food, that they are actually eating, and that they receive proper vitamins.
Understaffing and inexperience stand at the center of most cases of malnutrition and dehydration in nursing care facilities. Because staff might be undertrained for certain jobs and areas of expertise, these same staff might be more likely to make errors or lack proper training to complete the tasks at hand and, as a result, patients will lack the care they deserve.
“Words cannot express how tremendously grateful I am to Jeff Zenna for his sincere compassion and legal assistance during one of the most challenging times in my life.”
“I just wanted to take some time to thank you and your team for all your help in the last 3 1/2 years. Your confidence, professionalism, knowledge, and efficiency in resolving this case have been greatly appreciated by my family and I. ”
“You exhibited a genuine caring for my predicament and the outcome. These are all qualities that are prized in any professional relationship.”
Physical Symptoms You Might Notice in a Patient Suffering from Malnutrition
If you are someone who regularly visits your loved one in the nursing home, there are signs that you can pay close attention to if you want to determine if your loved one is receiving the best care or not. Here are a few physical symptoms your loved one might show if they are not receiving proper nutrients or are not properly hydrated:
- A sufferer’s mouth might turn a bright shade of red and canker sores might be present.
- A loved one’s muscles might seem to be more flaccid and they could become more easily fatigued doing everyday tasks they were once used to.
- The loved one might have red, glassy, or swollen eyes and their vision might worsen.
- A loved one might not be able to think as clearly.
- The skin might take on a yellow tone if an elderly person is not receiving the nutrition they need.
Contact a New Jersey Nursing Home Abuse Attorney at Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari Today — We Will Help You Obtain Maximum Compensation Following a New Jersey Nursing Home Abuse Accident
If you suspect that your loved one is not getting the nutrition they deserve in a nursing home setting, this is a form of abuse and should be treated with care. Your loved one is entitled to a high standard of care in a nursing home facility and we wish to ensure that they are receiving this care at all times. At Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari, we will help you obtain results after an investigation takes place into the circumstances leading up to the claim. Please reach us as soon as possible to get started on your claim by filling out this online contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Home Malnutrition and Dehydration
Not only should you report it and start working with an attorney quickly so that you can get started on your case, but it could also save your loved one’s life. Malnutrition and dehydration can lead to health concerns like rapid weight loss and seizures as well as death in the worst cases. These instances can also aggravate existing health problems, which is why you want to work as quickly as possible to save for your loved one from future trauma. Our attorneys are ready to get started on your case immediately.
As with all claims, there is a statute of limitations to abide by under New Jersey law as well. The clock starts ticking and you only have two years to file your claim from the moment you discover that your loved one has been suffering at the hands of a negligent party. These cases are complex and in-depth at times, involving many aspects such as interviews of staff and witness testimony. It is a good idea to get started immediately.
