Put an End to Nursing Home Nutrition Neglect

Since some people in nursing homes can’t feed themselves, malnutrition and dehydration are increasing problems due to staff shortages and other negligence. If your loved one is suffering because they cannot nourish themselves and the nursing home staff is failing, it is essential to work with an experienced lawyer who can hold the nursing home accountable for its negligence. At the Law Offices of Glenn W. Cunningham, our nursing home abuse attorney in San Antonio aggressively pursue justice for nursing home abuse and neglect victims. We have over 30 years of experience handling elder injury matters and can help you receive the compensation you need.

Identifying the Cause of Malnutrition and Dehydration in Nursing Homes

The two most common ways in which nursing home malnutrition takes place is either the nursing home’s failure to provide residents with nutrient-rich foods as part of their diet, or the nursing staff’s failure to provide the requisite amount of assistance to ingest food and water. Because some people in nursing homes cannot feed themselves, they must rely on the nursing home staff to directly provide the nutrients they need. However, because nursing homes are continually trying to improve their financial bottom line, they are frequently understaffed and unable to attend to this very basic need for all their residents. When there are not enough staff to care for the residents, they do not receive the nourishment they need.

Although that seems straightforward, it can be difficult to determine what constitutes “enough” staff. As seniors age, they often become more vulnerable and dependent on those around them and less able to physically and verbally advocate for themselves. In the same way that children at daycare centers must rely on their caretakers for everything, nursing home residents must rely on their caretakers to nourish them throughout the day. And while daycare centers have strict regulations governing the appropriate staff-to-child ratio, there is no comparable standard for nursing homes. As a result, nursing home residents are often left without enough people to properly care for them and slowly (or quickly) begin to starve and dehydrate. Some physical signs of nursing home malnutrition and dehydration include:

  • Weight loss
  • Overall weakness and fatigue
  • Dental corrosion
  • Depression
  • Yellow skin
  • White and brittle fingernails
  • Disease severity
  • Higher risk of infection
  • Low body temperature
  • Dry mouth
  • Tremors

Ultimately, malnutrition in nursing home residents can have short-term and long-term impact. The sooner a problem is identified, the better. Unfortunately, when malnutrition and dehydration is not rectified, a completely avoidable death can occur and, while a family is busy grieving, the nursing home is usually busy covering up their actions and denying liability.

Banner media
young and old person holding hands

Contact Us Experienced Texas Nursing Home Dehydration Lawyer

When we put our loved ones in nursing homes, we trust that they will be well-cared for, and that starts with the basic needs of proper food and water. We acknowledge their vulnerability and depend on the nursing home staff to care for our loved ones around the clock. When the nursing home betrays that trust by failing to hydrate or nourish residents, it is important to hold the nursing home fully accountable. When there is a malnutrition injury or death in a nursing home, it is often a systemic problem rather than an isolated issue, which is why it is all the more important to quickly address and stop this potentially deadly behavior. At the Law Offices of Glenn W. Cunningham, we aggressively pursue nursing homes that are responsible for serious injuries to innocent victims. Contact us online or call our office to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. We are ready to get started on a winning case for you today. 

Client Testimonials

I can’t say enough good things about Glenn Cunningham and his firm.

He took my case and fought for me from day one. Glenn and his staff were professional and caring. They kept me updated on all aspects of my case. We were able to go to mediation and reach a settlement that was more than fair. I would recommend Glenn to any of my friends and family. I am beyond pleased with how my case was handled and ultimately settled.

D.M.

Glenn Cunningham is tough, smart, experienced.

A very deep heartfelt thank you to the whole team at the Law Offices of Glenn W. Cunningham. Glenn is tough, smart, experienced, and he will do everything in his power to make sure that you or your loved one get the best outcome possible from whatever personal tragedy you may be facing. He fought for me when no one else would. He will do the same for you.

A.K.

I am grateful to Glenn Cunningham for the hard work he did

I am very pleased with the legal services provided by Glenn Cunningham. He is very competent, knowledgeable, caring, personable, and professional. If you are seeking justice for medical malpractice or wrongful death, Glenn will fight for you. He is tenacious and assertive on behalf of his clients. He also keeps you informed of the status of your case on a regular basis.

J.O.

Glenn Cunningham knows his job well.

Glenn was amazing! Very knowledgeable, and Nicole, his secretary, is very helpful and knowledgeable as well. We never had a problem reaching someone at the office, and our questions were always answered promptly.

C.R.

This is by far the best attorney for your malpractice case.

I wanted to thank Mr. Cunningham and his staff for there amazing work and dedication to my case and fighting for me when I couldn't. They truly were amazing and always kept my family and I updated on everything that was happening.

K.V.
View all Testimonials

Let's hold health care professionals accountable when their neglect severely injures or kills a loved one.

Schedule a free consultation
Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at (210) 228-0600 .