Care homes fail to meet basic nutrition standards, putting elderly lives in danger
- California ranks first with 83% of its nursing facilities reporting deficiencies in food and nutrition services
- 79% of Arkansas’s nursing facilities have deficiencies in food and nutrition services
- Vermont reports the fewest deficiencies, with an average rate of 23%
A new study conducted by injury lawyers Bader Scott reveals significant disparities in food and nutrition service deficiencies among nursing homes across the United States.
The research analyzed data from nursing facilities nationwide, identifying the states with the highest and lowest rates of deficiencies in providing proper nutrition to residents.
The prevalence of food and nutrition service deficiencies in nursing homes highlights a broader issue of neglect in elder care, raising serious concerns about the well-being of vulnerable residents.
Malnutrition in seniors can lead to a host of health complications, including weakened immune systems, increased risk of infections, and slower recovery from illnesses. Many facilities struggle with inadequate staffing, limited resources, and poor oversight, exacerbating the issue and leaving residents without the proper nutrition they need to maintain their health.
“Addressing these deficiencies requires stronger regulations, increased funding, and better training for caregivers to ensure nursing homes meet essential dietary standards.
Without urgent action, the neglect of nutritional care in nursing facilities will continue to compromise the quality of life and dignity of aging individuals who rely on these institutions for their well-being,” said Seth Bader from Bader Scott.
With an average rate of deficiencies at 63.5%, California tops the list. A concerning 83% of its nursing facilities report deficiencies in food and nutrition services. Quality of care deficiencies are present in 85% of facilities, while 80% have infection control issues.
The high percentage of facilities with food and nutrition deficiencies underscores the challenges faced by the state’s elderly population in receiving adequate dietary care.
Ranking second, Arkansas has an average deficiency rate of 43.2%. Notably, 79% of its nursing facilities have deficiencies in food and nutrition services, impacting the well-being of residents.
Additionally, 83% of facilities have quality of care deficiencies, and 36% have infection control issues. These figures highlight the need for improvements in Arkansas’ nursing homes to ensure residents receive proper nutrition and care.
With an average deficiency rate of 55.8%, West Virginia ranks third. Food and nutrition services deficiencies are present in 74% of the state’s nursing facilities.
Additionally, 89% have quality of care deficiencies, and 61% have pharmacy services deficiencies. The prevalence of these deficiencies raises concerns about the standard of care provided to residents in West Virginia’s nursing homes.
Delaware comes in fourth with an average deficiency rate of 50.3%. 73% of its nursing facilities have deficiencies in food and nutrition services.
Quality of care deficiencies are reported in 82% of facilities, and 61% have resident rights deficiencies. The state’s nursing homes face significant challenges in providing adequate nutrition and safeguarding resident rights.
New Mexico holds the fifth position with an average deficiency rate of 61.7%. In the state, 71% of nursing facilities have deficiencies in food and nutrition services.
Furthermore, 79% report deficiencies in both quality of care and resident rights. These issues indicate systemic problems that may affect the overall health and satisfaction of nursing home residents.
Top five states with the highest rate of food and nutrition service deficiencies:
| Rank | State | Average Rate of Deficiencies | Average Rate of Food and Nutrition Service Deficiencies |
| 1 | California | 63.5% | 83% |
| 2 | Arkansas | 43.2% | 79% |
| 3 | West Virginia | 55.8% | 74% |
| 4 | Delaware | 50.3% | 73% |
| 5 | New Mexico | 61.7% | 71% |
While some states struggle with high rates of food and nutrition service deficiencies, others are managing to maintain better standards of care, with the lowest deficiency rates.
At the top of the list is Vermont with an average deficiency rate of 34.9%. Only 23% of its nursing facilities report deficiencies in food and nutrition services, the lowest among all states. This suggests that Vermont’s nursing homes are performing relatively well in providing proper nutrition to residents.
In second place, Montana has an average deficiency rate of 48.%. Approximately 24% of its nursing facilities have deficiencies in food and nutrition services. The state shows better performance compared to many others but should continue efforts to address existing issues.
Ranking third, North Dakota has an average deficiency rate of 35.8%. Only 25% of its nursing facilities report deficiencies in food and nutrition services. While this is lower compared to states with higher deficiencies, there is still room for improvement to ensure residents receive optimal nutritional care.
Ranking fourth, New Hampshire has an average deficiency rate of 33.5%. About 25% of its nursing facilities have deficiencies in food and nutrition services. While slightly higher than Vermont or Montana, New Hampshire still maintains a lower rate of deficiencies compared to the national average.
Ranking fifth, Mississippi reports an average deficiency rate of 27.9%. Notably, 28% of its nursing facilities have deficiencies in food and nutrition services, which is higher than some states with more overall deficiencies, indicating a need to focus on nutritional services.
Top five states with the lowest rate of food and nutrition service deficiencies:
| Rank | State | Average Rate of Deficiencies | Average Rate of Food and Nutrition Service Deficiencies |
| 1 | Vermont | 34.9% | 23% |
| 2 | Montana | 48.6% | 24% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 35.8% | 25% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 33.5% | 25% |
| 5 | Mississippi | 27.9% | 28% |
Seth Bader, an injury lawyer at Bader Scott, commented on the findings: “These statistics highlight serious concerns in the care provided to our seniors. Proper nutrition is vital for maintaining health, and deficiencies in this area can have severe consequences.
“It’s crucial that nursing homes prioritize food and nutrition services to ensure the well-being of their residents. Families entrust these facilities with the care of their loved ones, and meeting basic nutritional needs should be a fundamental responsibility.”
story credit: https://baderscott.com/.
Sources: https://www.kff.org/state-category/providers-service-use/nursing-facilities/
Methodology:
Data was collected from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), focusing on nursing facility deficiencies across various categories. The study analyzed the percentage of facilities with specific deficiencies, including food and nutrition services, quality of care, resident rights, and more. A weighted average rate of deficiencies was calculated for each state using assigned weightings for each category to determine the overall rankings.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
