Nursing home residents often suffer from health conditions that cause them to be carefully monitored. Sometimes, residents with chronic medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s need to be carefully fed so that they can avoid suffering from infections such as pneumonia, which is often related to aspiration.

Aspiration pneumonia occurs in nursing home patients when they inhale food particles into their lungs and end up aspirating on their food. Coughing while swallowing is a sign that should indicate to nursing home workers that a patient needs help being fed. Unfortunately, many nursing homes throughout Florida are often understaffed and neglect patients or feed them too quickly, which can increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia.

Aspiration Pneumonia Caused by Feeding-Related Problems

If nursing home workers would pay attention to a patient who coughs while swallowing, they would recognize that a patient has trouble eating and swallowing. When they see this sign, they should feed a patient slowly or puree the food in order to reduce the risk of aspiration. Unfortunately, many nursing homes fail to provide quality care and fail to spot eating and swallowing problems because they are in a hurry and understaffed. Sadly, patients suffer because nursing homes fail to take the proper precautions.

When nursing home feeding problems lead to aspiration pneumonia, residents can pursue compensation for their injuries and hospital bills, and families can pursue a financial recovery for the wrongful death of their loved one. To learn more about your rights to holding a nursing home liable for neglect, request a free copy of our book: The Florida Nursing Home Abuse Handbook.

Damian Mallard, Esq.
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Board Certified Sarasota Personal Injury Attorney
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