Typically, the kind of nursing home abuse that we are aware of involves physical or emotional violence. However, one of the common forms of abuse in a care facility that people are often unable to see is malnutrition. This form of abuse may go on for a while before the effects become visible and concerned friends or family may notice, and therein lies the problem. An employee’s failure to provide nourishment needed to sustain the health of a patient must immediately be reported.
An elderly person’s appetite may alter, especially when taking medications, and this can also make it very difficult to identify when an employee is failing to provide sustenance. However, it is the responsibility of nursing home employees to do everything in their power to give their patients the food and care that they need. Because early detection is vital in correcting malnourishment, those with elderly family members should watch for the following signs:
- Redness or swelling around the eyes, deteriorated vision
- Canker sores, excessive redness in the mouth
- Flaccid muscles
If you know someone in Chicago who is suffering from any form of nursing home abuse, please immediately consult with our legal team at Peck Ritchey, LLC to discuss what legal action may be available to take. Call us today at (855) 328-5787.