What Can I Do If I Think a Nursing Home Resident Is Malnourished?

 Posted on September 22, 2026 in Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Good nutrition is important in helping older people maintain their health. When nursing home residents do not receive enough food or help eating, their health can quickly get worse. Sudden weight loss, weakness, and slow-healing wounds can all be warning signs of malnutrition.

It is the responsibility of nursing homes to make sure their residents receive enough nutritious food to meet their needs. If poor care causes malnutrition and harm, the facility could be held responsible.

If you suspect your resident isn't getting fed well enough in 2026, a Frederick County, MD nursing home abuse attorney can help you understand if you have a legal case.

What Are the Warning Signs of Malnutrition in a Maryland Nursing Home?

The signs of malnutrition are not always obvious. Common signs that families should watch for include:

• Noticeable weight loss over a few weeks or months

• Loose-fitting clothes, rings, or dentures

• Sunken cheeks or eyes

• Weakness, confusion, or fatigue that's new or getting worse

• Slow-healing wounds or new pressure sores

• Complaints about being hungry or thirsty between meals

• Untouched food trays left in the room

Seeing several of these signs together could point to malnutrition. Also pay attention to whether staff can explain sudden changes in the resident’s health.

How Do Maryland Nursing Home Residents Become Malnourished?

Understaffing is a common gateway for malnutrition. When a facility doesn't have enough aides, residents who need help eating may simply not get it in time, or at all.

Other causes can include a failure to track a resident's weight and intake, meals that don't accommodate a swallowing problem or a medical diet, and untreated depression or dementia that affects appetite. Sometimes a resident's care plan is outdated and no longer reflects their actual needs. A facility may also fail to bring health changes to a doctor's attention quickly enough to adjust the resident's care.

What Should You Do If You Suspect a Nursing Home Resident Is Malnourished?

Start by raising the issue with the facility’s staff. If the resident gives permission, or if you are legally allowed to act for them, ask for the resident’s care plan and weight records. A facility is generally required to keep these records. A resident's representative that has adequate authority can also have access to them.

Keep notes of your own observations as well. Write down what you notice on each visit. With the resident’s permission, take photos if appropriate and save any messages or emails from staff.

If you think the situation needs outside investigation, you can file a complaint with Maryland's Office of Health Care Quality. This office is responsible for inspecting and licensing nursing homes. You can also contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program for help resolving concerns directly with the facility. Any concerned individual can report suspected neglect of a vulnerable adult to the local Department of Social Services (Maryland Code, Family Law Section 14-302). A report only requires a reasonable belief that neglect may be happening, not perfect proof.

Can a Family File a Lawsuit for Nursing Home Malnutrition in Maryland After Reporting It?

Malnutrition caused by poor care can be grounds for a civil neglect claim, even if the government is also investigating. The resident, or someone legally allowed to act for them, must show that the facility failed to provide proper care and caused harm.

Evidence is important in these cases. Medical records, care plan documents, and witness accounts from staff or other residents can help establish what happened. An attorney can help you gather these records and evaluate whether a claim makes sense for your family's situation.

Call an Urbana, MD Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today

Watching a loved one decline because of poor care can be exhausting and frightening. With help from Serafini Law, you don't have to sort through the medical and legal questions this raises on your own.

Attorney Andrew Serafini is a sole practitioner who gives every case his personal attention. He answers calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and handles cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you owe nothing unless he wins for you.

Our firm is supportive of clients and aggressive with insurance companies and facility operators alike. Call 240-744-1600 today for a free consultation with our Frederick County, MD nursing home abuse lawyer.