As the population of individuals above the age of 65 increases, many family members make the decision to have their elderly parents and grandparents cared for at a long-term living facility. Nursing home residents are a vulnerable population, and they deserve humane treatment and care in the hands of trained professionals.
Unfortunately, there are instances of nursing home neglect in many facilities. A common form of neglect is the lack of adequate nutrition or dehydration provision by healthcare providers, which can easily lead to substantial health issues. Whether the facility is unable to provide proper care due to staffing shortages or the facility is possibly operating under abusive internal regulations, there are nursing home neglect attorneys that are willing and able to fight for your loved one’s rights.
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
If a nursing home patient is experiencing sudden weight loss, ongoing exhaustion and weakness, bedsores, dry mouth, decreased urination, changes in mental status, or recurring infections, it’s crucial that you intervene.
During visitation, if you notice any of these signs, it’s important to report nursing home neglect to the facility manager. It’s also a promising idea to contact a lawyer that specializes in nursing home neglect to learn more about your loved one’s rights and to investigate the situation.
Although some signs, such as declining oral health, cognitive decline, and depression, can be symptomatic of the aging process, unanswered medical needs are definitively a sign of neglect.
Malnutrition and Dehydration Symptoms
Malnutrition tends to occur at a slow rate but becomes apparent very suddenly. Some of the signs of malnutrition include changes in the skin, including flakiness and easy bruising; Hair can become brittle and dry; and even substantial hair loss can occur.
Malnutrition can also lead to a decrease in immune response, meaning that an elderly resident can suffer from an increased susceptibility to illness. Patients who suffer from this treatment may have difficulty concentrating, slurred speech, and even experience fainting spells.
Dehydration is just as dangerous as malnutrition. Dehydration is most commonly recognized through impaired function. Residents who have not had proper water intake may suffer from headaches, dizziness, and/or low blood pressure. A decrease in bathroom use as well as foul-smelling, dark urine are also common indicators that the patient may not be receiving enough fluids to drink.
Both malnutrition and dehydration can be extremely dangerous, and unfortunately the symptoms can commonly be overlooked due to their relative similarities to the aging process.
Causes of Food and Water Deprivation
Understanding the potential causes of food and water deprivation in nursing homes can help you better assess this situation and advocate for your loved one(s). Food and water deprivation is generally caused by the withholding of food and/or drink by the nursing home staff. Sometimes it is malicious deprivation as a form of punishment, or, in some cases, the staff may lack the proper training to assist with properly feeding residents.
Certain medical conditions can make it difficult for residents to eat or drink, and staff may fail to provide the necessary support and accommodation. There are also instances where staffing or budgetary shortages within the nursing home can lead to an inadequate supply of nutritious food and water. Additionally, lack of proper monitoring can cause a lack of nutrition and hydration to be overlooked.
Legal Rights of Nursing Home Residents
Nursing home residents have the right to live in a comfortable environment that provides them with the services for which they are paying. Legally speaking, residents have rights that are outlined in state and federal regulations. For example, they have the right to receive adequate and appropriate medical care, including proper nutrition and hydration. Elderly residents also have the right to dignified treatment and respect as well as the right to be free from all forms of abuse and neglect.
What to Do if You Suspect Neglect
If you suspect a nursing home of neglect, the first thing to do is to take detailed notes, obtain all available records, and have conversations with the staff about the condition of your loved one. However, if the situation is not improving, or the information provided is not adequate, it is advised that you seek legal advice.
Elderly and disabled individuals are a vulnerable population, and no one should live in inhumane conditions. If you have suspicions or proof that a loved one is being neglected, nursing home neglect attorneys are here to help.
Nursing home residents require the support of individuals that they know and trust. Contacting experienced nursing home neglect lawyers such as Zelenitz, Shapiro & D’Agostino could save the life of a loved one, as well as other facility residents.