Choking Deaths in Kern County Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

Older adults in nursing homes and assisted living facilities are at risk of suffocation and choking deaths. While we often think about choking hazards and very young children, older adults are actually at greater risk of suffocating and choking than young kids. Indeed, according to a study in the peer-reviewed journal Geriatrics, adults over the age of 65 “have seven times higher risk for choking on food than children aged 1 to 4 years of age.”

Older adults are at greater risk of choking than younger adults due to physical changes that occur. In general, as we age, we produce less saliva. As such, it becomes more difficult to swallow. A study in the peer-reviewed journal Geriatrics explains that, in addition to less saliva production, older adults also experience a range of physiological changes that make swallowing more difficult, including muscle atrophy and the loss of elasticity in ligaments that aid in swallowing. To be clear, even healthy older adults are more likely to choke than younger adults.

At the same time, there are a range of health conditions that also increase an older adult’s choking risk. Certain medications that cause fatigue, as well as dental issues and wearing dentures, lung disease, mobility issues, and neurological diseases can all increase a person’s likelihood of choking. Staff at nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Kern County must account properly for these risks and ensure that residents are properly monitored and have appropriate foods to reduce the likelihood of a choking death.

Difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, is common among older adults and is one of the leading reasons for choking deaths in Kern County. According to the Mayo Clinic , there are many different types of dysphagia, and this condition has a range of causes, including:

• Natural aging that can result in “wear and tear on the esophagus”;
• History of stroke;
• Parkinson’s disease;
• Neurological disorders; and
• Nervous system disorders.

When an older adult suffers from dysphagia for any reason, food can easily become stuck in the throat. As the Mayo Clinic emphasizes, when this happens, unless a trained staff member is nearby to perform the Heimlich maneuver successfully, the older adult can die.

Nursing homes play a critical role in preventing choking among residents by implementing proactive measures. Proper assessment is key: staff should evaluate each resident’s ability to chew and swallow and monitor for conditions like dysphagia. Based on these assessments, residents should receive tailored diets, such as pureed food or thickened liquids, to match their swallowing abilities.

Staff training is equally vital. Caregivers must be trained to recognize choking hazards, provide assistance during meals, and respond swiftly in emergencies, including performing the Heimlich maneuver or CPR if necessary. Supervision during meals can prevent residents from eating too quickly or attempting to consume unsafe foods.

By combining individual assessments, staff training, appropriate diets, and vigilant supervision, nursing homes can significantly reduce the risk of choking and promote safer dining experiences for their residents. If nursing home staff fails to asses and train for choking prevention, call our Kern County choking death lawyers for a free case evaluation.

Choking deaths should never happen in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, but they do occur when staff members and facilities are negligent. If you recently received the tragic news that an elderly loved one died in a nursing home due to choking, you may be able to file a claim against the facility. It is critical to hold nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Kern County and throughout the state accountable for these devastating and preventable injuries. One of our experienced Kern County nursing home choking attorneys can learn more about your case and can discuss moving forward with a claim. Contact the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group today for more information about how we help families with nursing home injury cases in Kern County.