Dehydration is common in Arizona nursing home residents. The elderly are prone to dehydration and its repercussions, including sometimes fatal illnesses. While proper water intake is vital for everyone’s health, it is especially so for the elderly, and nursing homes must be aware of and monitor proper hydration in their residents. Contact Knapp & Roberts to discuss your case today for free with a Nursing Home Dehydration Lawyer
What is Dehydration?
Dehydration is caused by having less fluid in the body than is needed for normal functioning. Dehydration may be mild, moderate, or severe. It may be remedied by increasing fluid intake before significant complications occur.
In severe cases, dehydration can result in:
- Confusion;
- Weakness;
- Urinary tract infections;
- Pneumonia;
- Bedsores;
- Seizures;
- Hypovolemic shock;
- Kidney failure;
- Coma; and
- Death.
What Causes Nursing Home Dehydration?
Nursing home residents become dehydrated for various reasons. While some residents may have trouble swallowing, other residents may be unable to communicate their need for fluids due to incapacity or a language barrier.
Dehydration may also occur because of:
- Medication side effects;
- Acute illnesses;
- Chronic illnesses;
- Poor kidney functioning;
- Malnutrition
- Failure to recognize thirst;
- Failure to provide accessible fluids;
- Failure to properly monitor residents; and
- Failure to train nursing home staff to recognize the signs and symptoms of dehydration and take action.
Signs of Dehydration in Nursing Homes
Dehydration needs to be treated as soon as possible before it develops into other conditions. Early dehydration signs to watch for in a nursing home resident are:
- Nagging thirst;
- Dry, pale skin;
- Sporadic urination;
- Dry mouth; and
- Canker sores.
Later stage dehydration can present with the following signs:
- Lack of sweat;
- Disorientation;
- Irritability;
- Low blood pressure;
- Accelerated breathing, panting;
- Hallucination;
- Delirium; and
- Inability to think or act straight.
Preventing Dehydration in Nursing Homes
Studies have shown that nearly half of nursing home residents are chronically dehydrated. Therefore, steps need to be taken to train and educate staff and residents about the importance of hydration as well as:
- Educating residents about the symptoms of dehydration;
- Ensuring clean, fresh water is readily available;
- Monitoring residents’ fluid intake;
- Changing residents’ diets to include hydrating food; and
- Checking residents for signs of dehydration when there is a concern or any change in health or medication.
Prevention is the best cure for dehydration. If you have a loved one in a Phoenix nursing home, be sure they are staying hydrated and routinely check for the above signs of dehydration.
Contact an Experienced Arizona Nursing Home Dehydration Attorney
If your loved one suffered the effects of or died from severe dehydration at an Arizona nursing home, seek justice on their behalf. Contact the dehydration attorneys at Knapp & Roberts. It is imperative you do so not only for your loved one but also to protect other vulnerable nursing home residents in the future.
Dehydration of a resident should never occur in an Arizona nursing home. Contact Knapp & Roberts to confidentially review your case today with a Phoenix Dehydration Lawyer. We will advise you of any legal options available and can assist you with reporting your matter to the appropriate authorities.