At least 1/3 of the nearly 2 million nursing home residents in the United States are believed to suffer from malnutrition or dehydration according to a study by the Commonwealth Fund. These conditions can cause serious medical problems and even death in our most beloved population.

Despite federal laws that require nursing homes to meet with residents' needs, one study has found that as many as 85 percent of the elderly in our nation are malnourished. In some nursing homes, they are between 30 to 50 percent underweight.

Malnutrition and dehydration have many different causes, including inadequate staffing, lack of care, high turnover of staff, amongst others. Understaffing is a HUGE problem in nursing homes today, with the low pay and long hours deterring qualified candidates for taking the jobs. The low earning potential usually causes low morale and these staff members end up taking their aggression out on the residents. One certified nursing assistant typically must help between seven and nine residents in the daytime. And the profession has a 93 percent yearly turnover rate!

Chronic conditions such as depression and dementia create serious problems in nursing homes as well. When these groups of people are not monitored carefully, their health can go downhill lightening fast.

Don't stand for nursing home abuse or neglect. If someone you care about has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact a nursing home abuse attorney at the Rasansky Law Firm today!