Weight Loss

Maintaining appropriate nutritional habits is an important contributor for elderly individuals to remain healthy. Residents of nursing homes who do not receive adequate nutrition are at a higher risk for the development of other maladies such as infections, bedsores and muscle weakness, which can lead to falls.

An involuntary sudden weight loss in a nursing home resident may be caused by a number of factors, including illness, infection or depression, all of which may be the result of neglect. Nursing homes often fail to take steps to prevent malnutrition by not monitoring resident food intake and output, not providing a comfortable environment to promote eating and not providing food that is appetizing.

Nitsche & Fredricks LLC has successfully prosecuted custodial care providers in civil courts for illness and injuries associated with weight loss.

Nursing homes are required to make sure that residents maintain their nutritional health. Federal law requires that a nutritional assessment be conducted on all individuals entering a nursing home. The same law requires nursing homes to regularly monitor and record nutritional intake. Measures also must be taken to provide for the nutritional needs of patients who refuse to eat, and it stands to reason that family members should be notified about this type of situation.

Determining if your loved one's weight loss is the result of nursing home negligence is a complex process. Our experienced Delaware nursing home weight loss attorneys are adept at the investigative steps necessary to determine if a nursing home's actions or inaction contributed to or caused your loved one to lose weight.

If you suspect that a loved one living in a nursing home is not receiving the food and liquids he or she needs in order to maintain health and a good quality of life, contact the nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Nitsche & Fredricks LLC. A free, no-obligation consultation with our knowledgeable nursing home lawyers can provide you with the information you need to ensure that your loved one's rights are respected.