Reports continually show that at least one-third of all nursing home residents may be dehydrated or malnourished. Some studies estimate that up to 85 percent of nursing home residents suffer from dehydration and malnutrition.
Nursing homes have a duty to provide adequate care to their residents and to prevent harm, including malnutrition and dehydration.
Besides being painful, these conditions can lead to or worsen other medical problems such as anemia, low blood pressure, broken bones, and tooth decay. Malnutrition and dehydration are the most common types of neglect and abuse in nursing homes.
If your loved one is a nursing home resident, you need to know the warning signs of malnutrition and dehydration, why they happen, and what to do about them.
Causes of Nursing Home Malnutrition and Dehydration
Nursing home residents may become dehydrated or malnourished for various reasons. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Inadequate Staffing. It is not uncommon for one staff member to have up to twelve to fifteen residents to feed each day.
- High Staff Turnover. When new staffers come in, they are not familiar with the residents’ needs.
- Lack of Personalized Care. Most facilities only offer a small selection of foods. If a resident does not like or chooses not to eat a particular type of food, they may miss meals completely.
- Dental Problems. Many residents have poor oral health. Some have untreated tooth decay, which can make eating painful. Others may have no or few teeth or ill-fitting dentures, making it difficult to eat.
- Mental Health Conditions. When a resident is depressed or suffers from some other mental health problem, they are much more likely to be dehydrated and malnourished.
- Medication Side Effects. Some medications decrease appetite or can irritate the stomach, leading to a lack of hydration and nutrition.
Warning Signs of Nursing Home Dehydration and Malnutrition
Some warning signs of dehydration and malnutrition you should be alert to include:
- Unexplained weight loss.
- The resident is complaining of thirst or hunger.
- Complaints by a resident about disliking the food or being served food they do not eat for religious or cultural reasons.
- Sunken eyes and dry skin.
- Weakness.
- Confusion or changes in a resident’s mental state.
- Frequent illnesses and taking a long time to recover.
- Increased fatigue or weakness.
- Frequently feeling cold when others are comfortable.
- Low mood or depression.
- White fingernails and nail beds.
- Yellowing skin.
- Irregular bowel movements.
- Decreased urination.
- Fever.
What To Do If You Suspect a Nursing Home Resident Is Suffering From Dehydration or Malnutrition
If you suspect a nursing home resident is suffering from dehydration or malnutrition, report it immediately. Alert the nursing home director, and if the condition is severe, call 911.
Insist that the resident be evaluated by a physician and that they receive better care.
Ask the staff to administer desirable snacks between meals.
Have a daily conversation about your loved one’s nutrition plan and hold the staff accountable for ensuring the resident receives proper care.
Insist that your loved one be weighed weekly and that their weight be documented in their file each time they are weighed. Insist on reviewing the weight reports each week, and if you believe they are inaccurate, insist on being present for a weight check.
Consult an experienced nursing home neglect and abuse lawyer to discuss your concerns.
Let Us Help You
The nursing home neglect and abuse attorneys at Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates have decades of experience protecting the rights of nursing home residents and personal injury victims.
If you suspect your nursing home resident loved one is malnourished or dehydrated, we can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Call (770) 865-8654 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your concerns. We will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and explain your rights. If we represent you, we will fight tirelessly to recover maximum compensation and get the justice you need.