Signs of Dehydration in Nursing Home Residents

 Posted on July 02, 2019 in Malnutrition

If you have placed a loved one in a rehabilitation facility, assisted living facility, or nursing home, you know how difficult this transition can be. You probably worried about how your loved one would adjust to living in a hospital-like environment or had concerns about the quality of care your loved one will receive. Unfortunately, these concerns are often justified. Nursing home neglect and abuse is an issue in long-term care facilities across the country. One major problem which nursing home neglect can lead to is dehydration.

Nursing Home Patients at Increased Risk for Dehydration

When a person without physical and/or mental disabilities gets thirsty, they can simply walk over to the faucet and pour themselves a glass of water. However, the same is not true for most nursing home patients. Many nursing home residents suffer from physical conditions which make it hard for them to care for themselves. Residents who have dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other health concerns which affect cognition may not be able to recognize when they are not drinking enough fluids.

Another reason dehydration is a major issue in nursing homes is because many residents take medications which make them urinate more often and become dehydrated more quickly. For example, diuretics are medications which increase the amount of water which is excreted from the body. If a nursing home resident is on these types of medications, nursing home staff should be extra vigilant for signs of dehydration. Nursing home staff who do not help residents maintain proper hydration can be held liable for damages caused by this neglect.  

Signs That Your Loved One is Not Drinking Enough

If you have ever been in a situation in which you did not have access to water, you know how uncomfortable it can be to be dehydrated. Signs of inadequate fluid intake can include extreme feelings of thirst, headaches, muscle cramps, dry mouth, dark-colored urine, low blood pressure, skin which is pale, dry, and cool to the touch, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, breathing struggles, and confusion. In very extreme cases, dehydration can cause delirium, hallucinations, and even death.

Contact a Cook County Nursing Home Dehydration Lawyer

Not only can dehydration be painful and upsetting, but it can also be deadly. If someone you love has suffered because of negligent nursing home staff, contact the experienced Chicago, Illinois nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Schwartz Injury Law. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call us today at 312-535-4625.

Source:

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dehydration-adults#1