Kansas City Choking Accident Attorney

What is a Choking Accident?

A choking accident at nursing homes refers to an incident in which a resident, typically an elderly person with compromised swallowing abilities or other medical conditions, becomes unable to breathe due to a foreign object blocking their airway. Choking can be a life-threatening emergency, requiring immediate intervention to prevent serious complications or death.

Common causes of choking accidents at nursing homes include:

• Swallowing difficulties: Elderly residents in nursing homes often have dysphagia, a condition that impairs their ability to swallow food or liquids properly. This can lead to food or liquid entering the airway instead of the digestive system, causing choking.
• Dental problems: Poor dental health, missing teeth, or ill-fitting dentures can make it challenging for residents to chew food properly, increasing the risk of choking.
• Cognitive impairments: Residents with cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer's or dementia may forget to chew their food adequately or try to swallow inappropriate items, leading to choking incidents.
• Inadequate supervision during meals: Insufficient monitoring during meal times may result in residents attempting to eat foods that are difficult to chew or swallow, leading to choking accidents.
• Eating too quickly: Some residents may eat too quickly, not giving themselves enough time to chew food thoroughly, which increases the risk of choking.
• Inappropriate food consistency: Failing to modify food textures to match residents' swallowing abilities can lead to choking. For example, serving hard or sticky foods to residents with swallowing difficulties can be dangerous.
• Use of improperly sized feeding tubes: Residents who require feeding tubes may experience choking if the tube is not appropriately sized or placed correctly.
• Medication-related issues: Certain medications can cause dry mouth or impair swallowing reflexes, increasing the risk of choking.
• Lack of awareness: Some residents may not be aware of their swallowing difficulties or may not be able to communicate effectively about their discomfort, making it difficult for caregivers to address potential choking risks.

To prevent choking accidents in nursing homes, staff should receive proper training in handling residents with swallowing difficulties and be vigilant during meal times. Providing appropriate meal modifications, conducting regular assessments of residents' swallowing abilities, and ensuring residents take medications safely can significantly reduce the risk of choking incidents. 

Additionally, nursing homes should have emergency protocols in place to respond promptly in case of choking accidents to minimize potential harm to residents.