Foodborne Illness Can Be Fatal in Nursing Home Residents 

 Posted on January 11, 2022 in Nursing Home Abuse

Unsanitary conditions in nursing home kitchens can run the gamut from disgusting to downright dangerous. Undercooked meat, bugs in food storage areas, unsanitized cooking equipment, and food left unrefrigerated for too long all constitute food safety violations–but more importantly, they allow for dangerous pathogens to develop. 

Nursing home residents are often in frail health and are particularly vulnerable to the risks of improper food handling. Because food poisoning may sound more quotidian than bedsores and sepsis, it tends to get less attention–but it can be just as dangerous. If your loved one has experienced sickness, hospitalization, or death in their long-term care facility because of foodborne illness, an experienced nursing home injuries attorney may be able to help. 

Know the Dangers of Foodborne Illness to Elderly Residents 

People over the age of 65 are particularly susceptible to food poisoning because they often have weak immune systems, chronic disease, and decreased digestive capabilities. All of these make residents more vulnerable to foodborne illness and less capable of recovering from it safely. 

Even worse, residents are unable to leave their nursing home’s dining establishment; even when food conditions are clearly stale or unclean, there are no other available options. If you are worried about the conditions of the kitchens in your loved one’s residential home, be on the alert for signs of food poisoning. Common symptoms of foodborne illness include: 

• Nausea and vomiting 

• Diarrhea, especially if it is watery or bloody 

• Abdominal pain or cramping

• Fever 

• Dehydration and its related symptoms, such as no urinating, weakness, and dizziness

• Neurological symptoms like blurry vision and muscle weakness 

These symptoms can last anywhere from several hours to many days. Doctors can perform diagnostic tests that try to determine the exact cause of these symptoms, including whether any parasites or bacteria are present.

Left untreated, food poisoning can worsen into more severe illnesses, including hemolytic uremic syndrome and kidney failure. If your loved one is regularly experiencing symptoms of food poisoning with no other explanations, it may be time to speak to a nursing home injuries attorney. 

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Chicago Nursing Home Injuries Attorney

At Schwartz Injury Law, our experienced Cook County nursing home injury attorneys take your concerns of nursing home abuse and neglect seriously. If you are worried that your loved one may be facing improper nutritional care and want to learn more about your options, schedule a free consultation with us today. Call us at 312-535-4625. 

Source: 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-poisoning/symptoms-causes/syc-20356230 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1225&ChapterID=21