In order to age successfully and in good health, seniors require proper nutrition to ensure adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals, protein and calories. In the previous posts, we’ve learned about the effects of malnutrition on nursing home residents, and how signs of malnutrition may indicate Illinois nursing home neglect. Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers point out elderly patients are at a much higher risk for malnutrition when under skilled nursing care, and family members should be diligent in watching for symptoms.

In addition to overt Illinois nursing home neglect, there are many factors that could contribute to the occurrence of malnutrition, both physical and environmental.

Physical causes may include illiness, adverse drug effects (such as nausea or vomiting), food and drug interactions which would decrease the body’s ability to absorb vitamins and minerals, depression, swallowing disorders, oral problems such as mouth sores or dentures that do not fit, or tremors (which might affect a resident’s ability to feed herself).

Environmental causes usually relate to neglect, and may include inadequate attention from staff for residents who require feeding assistance, undereducated staff who do not know how to properly feed residents who need assistance, over-reliance on liquid supplements, or special diet requirements.

Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers suggest watching for the following signs of malnourishment:

• Obvious weight loss
• Clothes fitting more loosely than usual
• Cracks around the mouth
• Pale mouth or lips
• Dentures no longer fit
• Thinning hair
• Wounds taking longer to heal
• Confusion (not related to disease)
• Skin infection
• Sunken eyes

If you suspect malnutrition due to Illinois nursing home neglect of your loved one, contact a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney today.

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