Are Nursing Homes Responsible for Residents’ Weight Loss?
Posted in General on January 30, 2012Unexplained weight loss in nursing home patients can be a very serious problem. Research shows that patients who lose 10% or more of their weight over a period of six months are much more likely to die within a year. One study showed that two-thirds of patients who lost that much weight died within six months versus only 10% of patients who maintained their weight. Another showed similar results for residents who lost 5% of their body in one month.
Recently, two different nursing homes in Connecticut were cited for failing to monitor weight loss in residents and intervene with treatment. The consequences of losing too much weight can be very serious. These consequences include muscle wasting and an increased rate of disease complications.
In addition, there is a strong correlation between severe weight loss and depression, although it can be difficult to know whether the depression causes the weight loss or is the result of it. In addition, researchers have seen that in Alzheimer’s patients weight loss correlates with the disease’s progression. A weight loss of 5% or more, in an Alzheimer’s patient, is a significant predictor of death.
There are, however, many steps a nursing home can take to prevent, monitor and reverse weight loss. Medical staff should be aware of when patients are losing too much weight. Patients should be evaluated to determine whether the weight loss is the result of physical or emotional problems. Depression, anorexia, alcoholism, late-life paranoia and social problems, all of which can cause weight loss, can be treated with counseling and possibly medical intervention, like anti-depressants.
There are also a number of easily-treated physical problems that may lead to weight loss — swallowing disorders, for example. Oral factors, including poorly-fitted dentures, hyperthyroidism and enteric problems, can cause weight loss. Sometimes nursing home residents stop eating because they’ve been put on a restricted diet and they simply don’t enjoy their food anymore. In other cases, a lack of appetite may result from the effects of the medications they’re taking. In these situations, nursing home staff – doctors, dietitians and caregivers – can work out a successful plan to help the resident start eating again.
More Information:
Weight Loss Linked To Death In Nursing Homes, Study Shows
Evaluating and Treating Unintentional Weight Loss in the Elderly
Cromwell, Milford Nursing Homes Among Six Penalized By DPH
Nursing Home Cited After Patients Suffer Weight Loss
