When Failure To Thrive Is Nursing Home Abuse
Many people make the difficult decision to place their loved one in a nursing home only to find in the following weeks and months that their family member is “just not the same.” To some degree, this is quite normal. The increasing frailty that comes with old age, as well as the loss of independence seniors feel, can cause them to become despondent, particularly while they are still adjusting to their new life within the facility.
However, if you have seen a marked decline in the vitality and health of your loved one, it may be a failure to thrive. Failure to thrive can be brought on by nursing home abuse and neglect, particularly if the staff members do not seem especially worried when you tell them about your concerns.
What is Failure to Thrive?
While there is no one definition of failure to thrive (FTT), it is generally considered a syndrome seniors experience that results in loss of appetite, weight loss, inactivity, and poor nutrition. Nursing home residents that suffer from a failure to thrive may also have low cholesterol, symptoms of depression, and impaired immune function.
When is FTT Due to Nursing Home Abuse?
Again, due to the fact that nursing home residents are often adjusting to a new lifestyle, it can be difficult to determine when FTT is a result of nursing home abuse. Still, the staff members in nursing homes are expected to identify when a resident is suffering from FTT and take proactive steps to correct the situation, instead of allowing the elder’s health to decline.
Staff members are not only supposed to be proactive in preventing FTT, but they also must never cause a resident to suffer from this syndrome. Unfortunately, it happens all too often as a result of neglect. For example, a resident may need little assistance getting out of bed and going to the bathroom. If they do not get the small amount of help they need, their health can quickly decline and they may soon develop FTT.
What to Do if Your Loved One Suffers from FTT
Any time you suspect any sort of nursing home abuse or neglect, your first step should be to speak to the staff members charged with your loved one’s care. They may tell you they have noticed the decline, and inform you about the steps they are taking to meet your loved one’s needs. Even if they do, start visiting more frequently at different times of the day, and unannounced, so you can observe and take notes of how the staff members are treating your loved one. If you still suspect neglect or abuse and your loved one has not gotten any better, it is time to speak to an attorney.
Call Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Tampa for a Free Consultation
If you fear that your loved one is suffering from failure to thrive, our Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer at Kohn Law can provide the experienced legal representation you need. Call us today at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
