Malnutrition in Nursing Homes

Malnutrition Should Never Happen in a Nursing Home

Malnutrition in elderly nursing home residents is not inevitable. It’s not just a side effect of aging or illness. It’s often a sign of neglect—a failure to provide the food, hydration, supervision, and clinical attention that vulnerable residents need to survive and thrive.

At The Higgins Firm Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers, we help families across the country confront the painful reality of malnutrition-related harm and loss. With decades of experience and national reach, we investigate how and why malnutrition occurs in long-term care, and we hold negligent facilities accountable.

What is Malnutrition?

Malnutrition refers to a condition where a person doesn’t receive enough nutrients to maintain healthy body function. In the elderly, malnutrition can be especially dangerous, leading to:

• Rapid weight loss
• Muscle wasting
• Weakened immune function
• Impaired wound healing
• Falls and fractures
• Cognitive decline
• Increased mortality

Nursing home residents often require special diets, feeding support, or close monitoring due to medical conditions, medication side effects, or mobility issues. When care plans aren’t followed or basic needs go unmet, malnutrition becomes not just a risk—but a result.

Common Causes of Malnutrition in Nursing Homes

Malnutrition is rarely caused by a single oversight. It typically results from a combination of systemic failures and daily neglect.

Contributing Factors Include:

Warning Signs of Malnutrition in Loved Ones

Malnutrition may develop gradually, making it difficult to detect without regular observation and documentation. Families should be alert to:

• Noticeable weight loss or sunken features
• Lethargy, confusion, or unresponsiveness
• Dry skin, brittle hair, or cracked lips
• Frequent infections or slow healing wounds
• Refusal to eat or complaints of poor food quality
• Dehydration or signs of poor fluid intake
• Lack of documentation on food/fluid intake by staff

If you suspect your loved one is not being properly nourished, you have the right to demand records and an investigation.

Who Is Most at Risk?

While all nursing home residents deserve proper nutrition, some are more vulnerable:

• Residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s, who may forget to eat or be unable to express hunger
• Stroke survivors or individuals with physical disabilities, who may need full feeding assistance
• People on special diets (e.g., thickened liquids, soft solids)
• Those recovering from illness, infection, or surgery
• Residents with mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety

Proper staffing, training, and oversight are essential to protect these individuals from gradual and deadly decline.

Preventing Malnutrition: What Facilities Are Required to Do

Federal and state regulations require that long-term care facilities ensure residents receive adequate nutrition and hydration. Under the Nursing Home Reform Act, facilities must:

• Conduct a nutritional assessment upon admission and routinely thereafter
• Create individualized care plans with dietary interventions
• Provide meals and snacks that meet medical and cultural needs
• Offer feeding assistance when necessary
• Monitor intake and weight changes regularly
• Intervene early when nutritional deficiencies arise

Failure to do so may constitute negligence or even abuse.

Real Consequences of Neglect-Driven Malnutrition

Malnutrition can have serious, permanent consequences. Our firm has investigated cases involving:

• Pressure ulcers that fail to heal due to protein deficiency
• Infections that develop due to weakened immunity
• Hip fractures from falls caused by muscle weakness
• Severe dehydration and hospitalization
• Wrongful death due to prolonged starvation or lack of care

When residents die from malnutrition, it is almost always preventable.

How The Higgins Firm Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Can Help

We take a structured, evidence-based approach to investigating malnutrition claims. When you contact us, we:

• Obtain and review medical records, including dietary logs, weight tracking, and care plans
• Analyze staffing levels, shift reports, and staff-to-resident ratios
• Consult medical and nutritional experts to evaluate whether standards were met
• Compare documentation to observed condition, especially if weight loss was never charted
• Determine regulatory violations and build a strong claim for compensation and accountability

If your loved one was harmed or passed away due to poor nutritional care, our attorneys are prepared to pursue justice on your behalf.

Compensation in Malnutrition Cases

A successful legal claim may help your family recover compensation for:

• Hospital and rehabilitation costs
• Emotional suffering and trauma
• Pain caused by preventable complications (e.g., infections, bedsores)
• Funeral expenses and wrongful death damages
• Punitive damages in extreme or repeated neglect cases

Nationwide Legal Support, Compassionate Advocacy

With a home base in Nashville, Tennessee, The Higgins Firm Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers represents clients in all 50 states. We are proud to be one of the few national firms solely focused on protecting the rights of elderly nursing home residents.

You don’t need to navigate this alone. We will listen, investigate, and fight for the outcome your loved one deserves.

Speak with a Nursing Home Malnutrition Attorney

If you believe your loved one is malnourished—or you’ve lost someone due to poor nutritional care in a nursing facility—please contact us today. A single phone call can start the process of finding answers and securing justice.

Based in Nashville, TN | Representing Families Nationwide

Call or request your free, confidential consultation online