Protecting The Rights Of The Injured

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Nursing Home Malnutrition And Dehydration

If an elderly patient is unable to feed themselves, they are at substantial risk for malnutrition or dehydration unless they are assisted by the facilities staff. Unfortunately, staff shortages have resulted in the frustrated and dangerous scenario where food is placed in front of residents, yet they are unable to eat without assistance, which is not provided. Even if residents are able to feed themselves, they may not be eating enough to get the nutrients they need.

Malnutrition and dehydration are dangerous conditions that can lead to significant injuries and death of a vulnerable elderly adult. It is important that all facilities pay regular attention and ensure that each patient is provided with regular and consistent meals, drinks provided at regular intervals, balanced and nutritious meals, and consistent monitoring.

Consequences And Causes Of Malnutrition And Dehydration

There are many warning signs of malnutrition that should be considered and evaluated including irritability, fatigue, confusion, weight loss, distended features, and headaches. There are many scenarios in which residents suffer from dehydration and malnutrition, including:

  • Inadequate food intake
  • Irregular or sporadic meal and drink times
  • Lack of healthy food options
  • Insufficient water and drinks provided to elderly resident
  • Insufficient amounts of healthy food provided at meals
  • Unrealized side-effects of prescribed mediation when not taken with food and water
  • Diminished appetite and no adjustment by facility or staff to increase caloric intake
  • Physical decline
  • Poor nutrient absorption

Death From Malnutrition Complications

Nursing home elderly abuse from malnutrition and dehydration can cause fatal complications. If a resident is not provided healthy eating and drinking opportunities, the residents’ overall health is likely to decline, making them more vulnerable to disease and illness. Ultimately, the inability to eat healthy or appropriate meals can cause physical decline and possibly fatal illnesses.

Poor Personal Hygiene

Aside from the embarrassment of being forced to live with poor hygiene, a lack of care and treatment pertaining to personal hygiene can have dangerous and harmful results. Specifically, painful and dangerous bedsores can result and cause substantial injury. In addition, disease and illness are much more likely to spread if a resident is not receiving proper care and treatment. Lastly, if a nursing home or care facility is failing to provide regular and proper hygiene, it is quite possible that the resident is suffering from other forms of negligence, such as physical abuse, psychological abuse, bedsores, medication errors, or other forms of nursing home negligence.

Contact The Greene Law Firm For A Free Consultation

When you have entrusted the care and treatment of a loved one to a nursing home or other facility and have been betrayed by a lack of care and treatment, The Greene Law Firm will fight for you and your loved one to ensure that they are fairly compensated for the injuries they have sustained. We know how to investigate nursing home abuse or assisted living care abuse. This includes aggressively seeking pertinent documents, compassionately explaining the legal process to clients, working tirelessly to hold the nursing home or assisted living facility responsible, and ultimately, if necessary, presenting the case to a jury. Taking legal action will not only hold the nursing home or other facility responsible for their actions, but it may also improve conditions and the level of care and treatment at that facility in the future. If your loved one has suffered an injury related to malnutrition, dehydration, or poor hygiene at a nursing home or assisted living facility, please contact our Louisville firm.