Some injuries occur because elders need help with eating and drinking but don’t receive it.  Such help includes everything from physical aid with meals to food that is more in line with an elder’s preference.

Injuries from failure to give this help can include malnutrition,dehydration and weight loss.  Other problems can be caused by these injuries, including urinary tract infections, renal (or kidney) failure and sepsis, as well as constipation and fecal impaction.  Some elders also have dysphagia, a swallowing problem caused by dementia; if they don’t receive special help with eating (usually from speech therapists), this problem can lead to aspiration pneumonia.