In nursing homes, residents can be mistreated, abused, or hurt in different ways. There are specific kinds of mistreatment that are not quite as apparent as broken bones, cuts, and bruises. Some of the most common types of abuse or neglect are those that are less obvious. Unfortunately, the less apparent forms of mistreatment are some of the most harmful forms of abuse. In the nursing home, dehydration and malnutrition are increasingly apparent among residents.
When nursing home staff disregard the residents, sheer neglect and oversights tend to occur such as dehydration and malnutrition. In addition to severe health issues, dehydration and malnutrition may be fatal to elderly adults. Dehydration happens when the body does not receive a necessary amount of liquids. It is particularly significant for elderly residents to get customary and nutritious dinners. It is essential that nursing home residents get daily supplements and adequate liquids to ensure they are hydrated and healthy.
Dehydration and malnutrition can create severe health concerns, especially for elderly individuals in nursing homes. In vast numbers of the cases Zayed Law Offices handles, each person in the nursing home community has sought medical attention and hospitalization more than once for dehydration and malnutrition. Even after the hospital visits, nursing home residents return to the hospital for issues related to dehydration and malnutrition. These medical cases are an infringement of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act and can severely damage the patient.
Dehydration is increasingly common in the elderly community due to medication intake. For example, hypertension medications that are diuretic can cause dehydration. Diuretics are known to prompt dehydration since it will allow patients to sweat more and limit liquid consumption. Furthermore, many elderly individuals who are frail or feeble are unfit to take liquids themselves and depend on staff for assistance. Nursing homes typically are understaffed or have staff not adequately prepared in the needs of every resident. The understaffing or new staff puts numerous residents in danger of dehydration and malnutrition.
In nursing home residents who experience the effects of dehydration, it can create kidney failure and low blood pressure. As the blood pressure becomes lower, the electrolytes decrease in the body as well. The indications of dehydration are disorientation, extreme fatigue, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and bed wounds due to confinement to the resident’s bed. The absence of staff supervision can add to dehydration of residents in nursing homes. Liquid consumption for the elderly, and especially the individuals who are sick at nursing homes is necessary.
The evidence of malnutrition in nursing homes has become a priority issue. However, elderly malnutrition is preventable, and it traces back to the conduct of the nursing staff. In a vast number of nursing home environments, a nursing home staff may be responsible for up to nine residents in the course of their work shift. For meals throughout the day, nursing staff may be responsible for up to 15 residents each day. Ideally, nursing staff should be responsible for two or three residents during each work shift.
When it comes to malnutrition, it is essential to pay attention to signs, such as severe depression, cognitive disability, physical disability, and other conditions related to malnutrition. Nursing staff can treat malnutrition using dietary supplements, specific food selection, and appropriate training and education for staff. It is crucial for nursing homes to have a care plan in place that specifies how much and which type of food a resident should intake daily. The nursing staff should serve the resident with the appropriate number of calories. The staff should also observe the resident during mealtimes to ensure the resident ingests those calories.
Although dehydration and malnutrition may occur due to the use of prescription, lack of liquids, and inappropriate foods, the lack of attentiveness from staff adds to the dehydration crisis in nursing homes. The Illinois laws demand that nursing homes take the necessary steps to ensure each nursing home resident does not experience dehydration and malnutrition.
If you have a family member or friend in a nursing home, it is crucial to verify that they have assistance with meals, including liquid consumption, adequate water, and other healthy beverages. It is essential to look out for other signs of dehydration and malnutrition, such as fatigue, intellectual, and functional disability.
If a family member or friend has been harmed or hurt in a nursing home, contact Zayed Law Offices, available 24 hours, seven days at toll-free (815) 552-0590 or one of our local phone numbers for a free and prompt consultation, or complete a contact form on the website. We are here to help you and your family hold the appropriate individuals or parties accountable for the injuries or deaths of residents in nursing homes. With over 40 years of involvement in trying and settling nursing home cases in Illinois, we have the necessary skills and experiences to best deal with your case. Our legal service is incomparable, unmatched, and exceptional.