While under the care of a nursing home facility, residents should have access to care that keeps them as healthy and active as possible. This is not always the case. If your loved one begins to experience rapid weight loss or hair loss, these could be signs of neglect or abuse.
Rapid weight loss is a sign of malnutrition, not getting enough to eat or the right nutrients to stay healthy. Hair loss is also a sign that a person’s diet is not nutritious enough to keep them healthy. Rapid weight or hair loss can happen when nursing home residents do not receive access to food due to abuse or neglect by staff members.
Nursing home abuse and neglect are a growing problem across the country as more residents in facilities go without proper care. If your loved one has experienced neglect or abuse in a New Jersey nursing home, you can seek legal assistance from a Newark rapid weight loss or hair loss lawyer to resolve the problem. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 201-3999 for a free case review from a team member.
Causes of Rapid Weight Loss
Many reasons can explain why your loved one experienced rapid weight loss in a nursing home. Some of the causes of rapid weight loss include:
- Illness: The Mayo Clinic provides a long list of diseases that could cause your loved one’s rapid weight loss. The nursing home should have your loved one see a doctor to determine if a medical condition is the underlying cause of their weight loss.
- Restricted diet: Not eating enough can cause rapid weight loss. The nursing home should provide enough to eat for their residents. Rapid weight loss could mean that the facility reduced its residents’ access to food.
- Reduction in nutrition: Even if residents get enough to eat, they may not be the right foods. An unhealthy diet can cause rapid weight loss as the body takes in less of the nutrients it needs to sustain good health.
- Muscle loss: Neglected residents who have trouble moving on their own may experience muscle loss. Muscle mass will decrease over time from lack of use. Residents who stay still for a long time can also develop other conditions like joint issues or bedsores.
- Diabetes: Diabetes is a condition that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains causes the body not to produce enough insulin or use it efficiently. Diabetes becomes a more significant problem as people age. It can affect how the body processes food, leading to a loss in weight.
- Dental problems: Dental problems can make it difficult for people to eat. Difficulty eating may drive residents to eat less, causing them to lose weight.
- Mental health changes: Changes in mental health can interfere with how often and how much nursing home residents eat.
If your loved one starts to experience rapid weight loss, seek the assistance of a doctor as soon as possible. The cause may be out of the nursing home’s control. However, the nursing home should monitor its residents’ health and address these problems as they develop.
Causes of Hair Loss
Rapid hair loss can also signal nursing home neglect or abuse. Rapid hair loss and weight loss share some of the same causes (e.g., illness or malnutrition). However, hair loss can develop faster and is a sign of significant changes in a person’s health. If your loved one’s hair begins to fall out, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Depending on what the doctor finds, you may be able to treat the problem quickly and prevent further health problems.
Once you have taken care of your loved one’s situation, you might want to contact a Newark rapid weight loss or hair loss lawyer. They can assess the situation and explain the steps you can take to recover justice and compensation for your loved one’s injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a Newark Rapid Weight Loss or Hair Loss Lawyer serving Newark, call (800) 794-0444
Elder Abuse
As elder abuse becomes a bigger problem, more organizations try to understand what causes it. Some organizations argue that staff members do not receive adequate training and education to keep them from resorting to elder abuse because of job stress.
Nursing homes expect their employees to do the job of multiple staff members because of a personnel shortage. Through training, they could become more efficient at their jobs to relieve some of the stress. Alternatively, training can address on-the-job stress management to make it easier for caregivers to handle work situations.
Whatever the reason, you should not tolerate nursing home abuse or neglect in any form. A nursing home abuse lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can work with you to hold the facility accountable. Call us today to get started.
Newark Newark Rapid Weight Loss or Hair Loss Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Next Steps to Take
Dealing with nursing home abuse and neglect can seem like a daunting task. However, it can be easier than you might think. You can take the following steps when you discover signs of nursing home abuse such as rapid weight or hair loss:
- Document the problems for further investigation.
- Investigate the nursing home to see if there is a pattern of abuse.
- Remove your loved one from the home.
- Inform law enforcement if you suspect abuse or neglect.
- File a report with the state Department of Health.
- Consult a personal injury lawyer to see what your legal options are.
Taking these steps can help you resolve the problem quickly and get your loved one into a nursing home facility with better outcomes.
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Discuss Your Potential Case with Our Legal Team
If your loved one has experienced problems in a nursing home that cause you to suspect abuse or neglect, you can consult a Newark rapid weight loss or hair loss lawyer to take a more in-depth look into the problem. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 201-3999 to get assistance from a team member in dealing with potential nursing home abuse.
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