When it comes to maintaining good health for elderly people nutrition and hydration are critical. While many nursing homes promise great tasting and nutritious meals, anyone who has ever seen a meal provided there knows that this is generally not true. Not only are nursing homes supposed to provide good, nutritious meals, they are also required to have policies and procedures on how to maintain correct levels of nutrition and hydration in their residents. When residents exhibit signs of malnutrition or dehydration, their policies and procedures require that steps be taken to correct the problem. Unfortunately, in many nursing homes, the pressure from the corporate office to show a large profit means that there are not enough staff members to put the policies into effect or staff members are insufficiently trained on the very policies and procedures they are to implement. And, sadly, there are some staff members who just don’t care about the needs of the residents.
Federal law requires that nursing homes must meet the needs of each resident. Obviously, providing adequate food and water is a requirement is a requirement in meeting the residents’ needs, yet it is shocking just how many nursing homes fail to provide residents with sufficient food and water. If water is available, it is often in a large container that the elderly resident is unable to lift. For residents with dementia, water may be accessible, but they may not have the mental capacity to understand that they need to drink water. In that case, all they need is some help from nursing home employees. But in far too many cases, nursing homes are staffed so low that employees just don’t have the time to help a resident get a drink of water.
Likewise, staffing shortages also leave residents who need assistance eating left to fend for themselves which can result in malnutrition. Malnutrition is simply the lack of proper nutrition. Sometimes nursing home residents may have difficulty in swallowing or present with other physical or mental challenges that compromise their ability to eat. Other residents have good appetites, but have physical difficulties making it difficult for them to eat without assistance. Regardless of why a resident might have difficulty eating, nursing homes have many options at their disposal to assist those who need help, the easiest of which is having enough employees to assist residents with eating and drinking. Yet, many nursing homes staff their facilities to the point that there is little, if any, assistance with feeding.
There may be other reasons why residents have difficulty eating. Nursing homes are required to provide appetizing food and promote an environment conducive to eating. However, dining room are often loud and permeated by foul smells that do not promote eating. Worse yet, many nursing home corporations often budget as little as $4.00 per day (per day, not per meal) for resident food, making the creation of appetizing food a challenge.
When a resident becomes malnourished or dehydrated, they become susceptible to a host of additional medical problems, such as bed sores, infection, weight loss, falls and pneumonia.
How can I recognized malnutrition or dehydration in my family member?
Changes in your loved one can be subtle and if you visit them every day, you may not notice gradual changes. It is smart to periodically do a thorough examination of your loved one for bruises and wounds and for signs of dehydration and malnutrition.
Common Signs of Dehydration
- Thirst
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Darker and more concentrated urine
- Decreased urine output
- Light headedness/dizziness
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
Common Signs of Malnutrition
- Fatigue
- Significant weight loss
- Light headedness/dizziness
- Confusion
How we can help if your loved one has experienced malnutrition or dehydration in a nursing home
Our attorneys have been successful in resolving cases favorable to our clients and their families where nursing home residents have suffered from malnutrition and dehydration at the hands of those had promised to keep them safe. If a family member or loved one has been sexually assaulted at a Maryland nursing home, contact Nursing Home Justice Associates at 1-410-825-ABUSE (2287) to learn more about your legal rights.
Nursing Home Justice…..It’s What We Do.
Other Injuries Suffered By Nursing Home Residents:
Bed Sores, Pressure Sores, Decubitus Ulcer
Burns
Choking
Clogged Breathing Tubes
Falls
Malnutrition & Dehydration
Medication Errors
Physical Abuse
Restraints & Bedrails
Sepsis/Infection
Sexual Abuse
Wandering & Elopement