When Nursing Home Neglect Leads to Choking

Our Georgia attorneys demand accountability and safer care for every resident

Choking is one of the most frightening emergencies that can happen in a nursing home. For elderly residents, many of whom have difficulty swallowing, weakened muscles, or cognitive conditions, something as simple as eating a meal can turn dangerous. While accidents do happen, the reality is that most choking incidents in nursing home facilities are preventable with proper supervision, safe food preparation, and attentive care.

At Johnson Greer Law Group, we know how devastating it is for families to learn that a loved one has been harmed in a nursing home. If you believe abuse or neglect played a role in a choking episode, our team is here to help you understand your legal options and pursue justice. When a nursing home breaks your trust and puts your loved one at risk, we step in.

Why choking happens in nursing homes

Elderly residents are at a higher risk of choking than the general population, and nursing homes must take this into account when providing care. Choking can occur for many different reasons, and in most cases, it stems from medical issues combined with inadequate staff attention.

Some of the most common causes include:

• Swallowing disorders (dysphagia): Many seniors develop conditions that make it hard to swallow safely, particularly after a stroke or when living with Parkinson’s disease, dementia, or other neurological disorders.
• Medication side effects: Certain prescriptions can affect muscle control, reduce saliva production, or create drowsiness, all of which increase the risk of choking.
• Dry mouth: A common side effect of medications and aging, dry mouth makes chewing and swallowing food much harder.
• Dentures: Ill-fitting dentures can cause chewing difficulties, leading to larger, improperly chewed pieces of food that may become lodged in the throat.
• Epilepsy: Seizures can occur unexpectedly, creating a risk of choking if a resident is eating or drinking at the time.
• Parkinson’s disease: This condition affects muscle control, including the muscles used to chew and swallow, which greatly increases choking risks.
• Alzheimer’s disease and dementia: Residents with cognitive decline may forget to chew, attempt to swallow too quickly, or not recognize the need for assistance while eating.
• Poor supervision: Residents who need help eating may be left alone, with staff failing to notice when something goes wrong.
• Improper food preparation: Foods that are too tough, too large, or not cut to size can create serious hazards for residents with swallowing difficulties.
• Neglect of special diets: When facilities ignore doctor-ordered dietary modifications, such as pureed meals or thickened liquids, the chance of choking rises significantly.

Warning signs of choking risks

Choking is a serious and preventable danger in nursing homes. Many residents have medical conditions or physical limitations that make eating and swallowing more difficult, which is why staff must stay alert and provide proper supervision. When they fail to do so, what was a small problem can quickly escalate into life-threatening emergencies. Signs that a loved one may be struggling with swallowing or choking risks include:

• Coughing or gagging repeatedly while eating or drinking
• Changes in skin color, such as turning pale or blue
• Food or liquid escaping through the nose or mouth
• Sudden wheezing, breathing trouble, or changes in voice after meals
• Loss of consciousness if the airway is fully blocked
• Struggling to swallow or appearing to choke with effort
• A visible lump in the throat while attempting to swallow
• A panicked look on the face, often accompanied by distress gestures
• Clutching the throat or chest (the universal choking sign)
• Difficulty speaking, gasping, or an inability to breathe normally

When these symptoms appear, nursing home staff should act quickly by arranging medical evaluations, adjusting diets, and providing closer supervision. Failure to do so can put residents in danger.

Health risks of choking

A single choking incident can have lifelong consequences. Older residents are especially vulnerable because their bodies cannot withstand long periods without oxygen. If the airway becomes blocked and staff do not respond appropriately, brain damage or death can occur within minutes.

Even when choking is not fatal, residents may face:

• Oxygen deprivation and brain injury: Interrupted breathing can cause permanent neurological damage.
• Aspiration pneumonia: When food or liquid enters the lungs, it can lead to dangerous infections.
• Throat or esophagus Injuries: Straining or improper emergency techniques may damage the airway.
• Emotional trauma: Residents may develop anxiety about eating, leading to malnutrition or dehydration.

How nursing homes can prevent choking

Choking is often preventable when nursing homes follow basic safety practices. Facilities are required to assess each resident’s risk level and adjust care accordingly. Best practices to prevent choking include:

• Conducting screenings for swallowing difficulties during admission and whenever a resident’s condition changes
• Following doctor-prescribed diets and modifying food textures appropriately
• Training staff to recognize signs of distress and respond immediately
• Supervising residents with known risks during all meals and snack times
• Ensuring caregivers know emergency techniques such as the Heimlich maneuver and CPR

When nursing homes cut corners, fail to train staff, or ignore medical recommendations, they put residents in avoidable danger.

How Johnson Greer Law Group can help your family

If your loved one has suffered a choking incident in a Georgia nursing home, you may be left wondering whether it could have been prevented. Was your loved one properly supervised? Were their dietary restrictions ignored? Did the staff know what to do in an emergency? These are the questions our nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Johnson Greer Law Group work to answer.

We investigate nursing home neglect cases thoroughly, reviewing medical records, staff training, and facility policies to uncover the truth. And if the nursing home failed in its duty to protect your loved one, we will fight tirelessly to hold them accountable.

Your family deserves answers, and your loved one deserves to be safe and protected. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us stand by you from start to finish.