Physical problems or mental impairments often cause elderly people to have difficulty swallowing. Regardless of the reason, if the problem is known to the nursing home, the resident must be assessed for what foods are safest for the resident to eat. Further, a nursing home must monitor and supervise a resident who is a known choking risk while they are eating.The obvious danger to a resident with a swallowing problem is choking.
A nursing home resident who is at risk for choking must also be assessed to see if their food should be pureed, which means that the food is blended or strained to make it a thick liquid, similar to pudding. Pureed food is safer for those at risk for choking and makes it less likely that a resident will experience injury or death due to choking.
Unfortunately, too many nursing homes are insufficiently staffed leaving residents who need assistance with eating on their own. Those who are without the cognitive ability to feed themselves may take non-pureed food from another resident and choke when they are unable to swallow. Poorly trained staff members may not even be aware of which residents are choking risks and give residents the wrong food resulting in choking.
Food is not the only item that creates choking risks for nursing home residents. Just like children, nursing home residents with mental insufficiencies can put foreign objects in their mouths that create choking hazards. With children, we are told to keep small objects such Lego blocks, coins, and small toys out of their reach. Nursing homes may not have Lego blocks, but elderly residents who lack the skills necessary to make good decisions may place seemingly common items in their mouths, such as:
- rubber gloves
- razor blades
- pen caps
- coins
Each of these items and many more create choking hazards for some vulnerable nursing home residents. It is the responsibility of the nursing home to insure that the facility is free of dangerous conditions that may cause a resident to choke and suffer injury.
What happens when someone chokes?
When a person chokes, they are unable to breathe making it impossible to get oxygen to the brain. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, the consequences can be catastrophic brain damage or even death. Whether the person has the mental capacity to understand what is happening or not, the fact remains that choking is scary and painful and can result in significant and deadly injuries.
We can help if your loved one has been seriously injured by choking at a nursing home
Our attorneys have been successful in resolving cases favorable to our clients when nursing homes have caused serious injury by not keeping residents safe. If a family member or loved one has been suffered injuries or death because a Maryland nursing home failed to protect your family member from choking contact Nursing Home Justice Associates at 1-410-825-ABUSE (2287) to learn more about your legal rights.
Nursing Home Justice…..It’s What We Do.
Other Injuries Suffered By Nursing Home Residents:
Bed Sores, Pressure Sores, Decubitus Ulcer
Burns
Choking
Clogged Breathing Tubes
Falls
Malnutrition & Dehydration
Medication Errors
Physical Abuse
Restraints & Bedrails
Sepsis/Infection
Sexual Abuse
Wandering & Elopement