Is dehydration a symptom of nursing home abuse?
Healthy aging requires proper nutrition. Dehydration and malnutrition can cause serious health issues for elderly individuals. For older nursing home residents, dehydration can be life-threatening. If you’re a California resident with a loved one in a nursing home, here are some important things you should know about nursing home injuries.
The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987
According to the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, nursing homes are required to evaluate the nutritional state of residents when they are admitted and during their stay in the nursing home. Based on the result of the nutritional assessment, the nursing home has to take the necessary steps to provide healthy meals and proper hydration. The food and drinks must be served to residents at the right temperature, and the nursing home has to offer adequate substitutes if residents refuse the food.
Even though the law seemingly guarantees adequate nutrition for people who live in nursing homes, research indicates that 40% of residents are not getting adequate nutrition. It is important for family members to know about this and other nursing home injuries to keep their loved ones safe.
Causes of dehydration and malnutrition in nursing homes
Several things can contribute to nursing home injuries, such as dehydration or malnutrition in nursing home residents. There are several factors that contribute to a lack of nourishment, including congestive heart failure, kidney disease, lung disease, and adverse reactions to medications. Symptoms like vomiting, nausea, cognitive issues, and sleep disturbances can also affect a resident’s ability to eat balanced meals. If a resident has trouble swallowing or is dealing with depression or loneliness, this can affect the resident’s desire to eat or drink water / liquids.
If you have concerns about your treatment or the treatment of a loved one at a nursing home, an attorney may be able to help.