Residents in nursing homes in Alabama are typically treated the same as they would be if they were at home with family members or caring for themselves. However, some situations occur when residents don’t get the proper nutrition that they need, resulting in serious health issues that progress over time. If you have a family member in a nursing home, there are a few signs that you can look for if you think this kind of treatment is taking place.

When there aren’t enough workers to provide meals on a timely basis or snacks when they are requested, nursing home neglect in the form of malnutrition and dehydration can occur. While this sometimes isn’t done intentionally, it’s an issue that should be addressed if you notice that your family member asks for food or drinks when you visit or if you see that there are no workers available who can take the time to make sure residents have what they need.

Sometimes, residents may experience depression or other mental health issues that can affect their desire to eat or drink. They may not want to eat with people they don’t know or feel comfortable eating in an unfamiliar location. When nurses and assistants allow residents to continue going without food or beverages while knowing that they also have issues that need to be dealt with, then it could be a reason to obtain legal help to try to determine if there are other issues taking place.

While residents don’t usually eat all the time at a nursing home, they need to get the proper nutrients to maintain their life at this time. When that doesn’t happen, then it could be a form of neglect on the part of the facility.

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