Swallowing Problems in Elderly Nursing Homes

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing food and/or fluids, is a common issue among individuals over the age of 65. Because swallowing problems can pose major health and safety risks, patients with this condition require careful monitoring and treatment interventions to help manage it. But unfortunately, swallowing problems in elderly patients are not always properly addressed in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. This is a serious oversight, as failure to provide proper care and accommodations for a patient with dysphagia can lead to complications or even death.

For attorneys working on a case involving alleged negligence on the part of nursing staff, partnering with legal nurse consultants can be of immense value. At Cardinal LifeCare Consulting, we connect law firms across the nation with licensed registered nurses. Our network of nursing experts is highly qualified to provide objective, clinically based reports centered around medical facts and evidence which may be used to concretely support or disprove claims.

Swallowing Problems in Elderly Nursing Homes

Generally, as part of the nursing home standard of care, elder care facilities have a responsibility to provide residents with adequate nutrition and hydration throughout the day. By extension, if a patient has dysphagia, nursing home staff have a duty to intervene in order to ensure the individual can remain properly nourished and hydrated, plus prevent dangerous complications associated with swallowing issues.

Common interventions for swallowing problems in elderly patients include:

• Teaching the patient techniques to help them swallow more easily and safely;
• Adjusting the patient’s diet based on their unique swallowing difficulties; and
• Administering a feeding tube (if dysphagia is severe).

Sadly, there are a number of reasons why a patient with dysphagia might not receive the personalized attention and care they need and deserve. For instance, a nursing home may be understaffed, or staff members may not be properly trained to respond to and manage swallowing problems in their patients.

Top-Notch Nurse Consulting Services for Legal Professionals 

If you’re a lawyer working on a case involving alleged nursing home negligence, partnering with the right team of legal nurse consultants can have a huge impact on the litigation process. Legal nurse professionals can help bring clarity to the courtroom by providing specialized expertise, conducting relevant medical research and performing objective analysis of evidence (including determining whether a breach of the standard of care occurred). Contact Cardinal LifeCare today at 724-487-0519 to speak with one of our experienced nurse consultants and find out how they may assist with your legal case.