What Signs To Look For In Malnutrition At The Nursing Home

In older adults malnutrition means more than not being given enough to eat and it can lead to a variety of serious health problems. The health problems from malnutrition, which in many cases can be been avoided with the proper nutritional supervision by the nursing home staff, are not.

The new Riverside nursing home residents should be assessed on admission, so the staff is aware if any changes should take place in the residents eating habits. When any changes take place, it should be noted with each change of condition, and medical attention provided to assess the situation. This should be done at least every three months throughout their stay, to ensure there is no risk of malnutrition.

When a family member has been placed in a nursing home, there are some signs that are critical to monitor to ensure their physical well-being is not in jeopardy. There are signs of malnutrition to look for when visiting the Riverside nursing home to see the family member that is residing there, these signs include changes in behavior, loss of weight, dizziness and other similar signs. On visits to the nursing home, look the family member over carefully and watch for unexplained weight loss and if there is a loss of weight present, a medical evaluation should be done.

Under the law the standards of care under Medicare states that a nursing home resident should maintain acceptable nutritional status, this means body weight and protein levels. The exception to this is unless the resident's medical condition reveals that this is not possible, in this case the resident is to receive a nutritious diet their body can process when there is a problem.

The nursing home needs to identify the residents in their care that are at risk for nursing home malnutrition and put into practice a suitable plan of care to ensure this resident receives the proper nutrition. When the nursing home does not follow these types of steps and adhere to the laws set in place by Medicare they need to be held responsible.

When a family member is suffering from malnutrition they need to be removed from the situation and the family needs to bring their concerns to a Orange County elderly abuse attorney. This is the only way to ensure an aging person is not deprived of the nutrition the body needs and that the nursing home and their staff are held responsible.