Omaha Elder Malnutrition Attorney

Do You Suspect Elder Malnutrition in an Omaha Nursing Home?

If your elderly loved one is suffering from malnutrition as a result of nursing home neglect or abuse, you could hold the at-fault party responsible and recover compensation for their suffering. At Bottlinger Law L.L.C. in Omaha, our knowledgeable team is prepared to investigate your case and provide skilled legal guidance and compassionate advice every step of the way. We understand the difficulties you are facing and could help get you through it. Reach out to us today at (402) 505-8234 to schedule a free case review with our experienced Omaha nursing home abuse lawyer.

Understanding Elder Malnutrition

We entrust nursing homes with the well-being of our elderly loved ones and expect them to treat them with the respect and caring support they need and deserve. Unfortunately, not every resident receives quality care in these facilities, leading to a wide range of health consequences, including malnutrition. If your elderly loved suffers from malnutrition in a nursing home, now is the time for you retain skilled legal representation to seek justice and compensation. At Bottlinger Law L.L.C. in Omaha, our legal team is dedicated to fighting for the wrongfully injured and their families. Call our law office today at (402) 505-8234 to schedule a free consultation.

When nursing homes are properly staffed and caregivers have the necessary training, residents are more likely to be well-fed and comfortable. Sadly, this is not always the case. These are some of the most common causes of elder malnutrition in nursing homes:

• Lack of proper supervision
• Inadequate assistance
• Unaddressed health concerns
• Intentional neglect
• Undertrained staff
• Lack of personalized attention and care
• High turnover rates in staff

Recognizing the Signs of Malnutrition

Malnutrition can lead to severe health consequences for nursing home residents, including a weakened immune system, wasting, weakness, bone and joint problems, changes in mood, cardiac changes, and scurvy. Below is a list of some of the warning signs you should look out for that could be signs that your loved one is suffering from malnutrition:

• Weight loss
• Fatigue and drowsiness
• Dry skin
• Swelling in the abdomen or face
• Weakness
• Brittle hair
• Depression
• Cognitive decline
• Reduced appetite
• Difficulty swallowing
• Frequent infections
• Irritability
• Poor healing
• Lesions
• Low body temperature
• Sunken eye sockets
• Low blood pressure

Malnutrition has a profoundly negative impact on elderly residents in nursing homes. You may notice that your loved one is confused or severely depressed. Without a nutritious diet, they could become anemic, developing long-term health conditions, such as arrhythmia or heart failure.

Stay Vigilant and Take Action

If you notice the signs of malnutrition in your elderly loved one, it is imperative that fast legal action is initiated. The impact of malnutrition can lead to severe health consequences, hospitalization, or loss of life. The first step is to have the nursing home investigated, with the assistance of a nursing home abuse attorney. The nursing home must be held accountable for the health consequences suffered by the resident, and the suffering endured.

What Types of Compensation Can be Pursued?

The types of compensation sought in a personal injury claim or lawsuit include the financial losses associated with:

• Medical care and prescription drugs
• Psychological and physical therapy
• Depression, PTSD
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life
• Wrongful death (if a loved one died as a result of malnutrition)

An experienced Omaha elder neglect attorney could investigate the reasons your elderly loved one was neglected, the extent of the damage to health, and gather all supporting evidence for a claim or lawsuit. Our legal team may either negotiate the terms of a settlement or take the case to court when necessary.