Malnutrition / Dehydration
Stockton Nursing Home Attorney
Malnutrition ● Dehydration ● Wrongful Death
Abuse and neglect of the elderly happens all too frequently in northern California. Our older population will grow rapidly as baby boomers age, making it critical to address this social problem. At the Law Offices of Lawrence M. Knapp, we help families cope with the abuse, neglect, or death of their older loved ones. If you suspect that a family member has been abused or neglected in an assisted living facility or nursing home, contact an experienced and skilled California nursing home neglect attorney. We will aggressively represent you in court, helping you obtain compensation for your loved one’s injuries and preventing others from being hurt.
Malnutrition and Dehydration in Nursing Homes
Elders tend not to get enough fluids in the best of circumstances. That is why it is so important that nursing facilities and hospitals monitor the fluid intake of their patients and residents. A well-run facility will record what a patient eats and drinks. In addition, a responsible nursing home will make sure that any medically prescribed nutritional supplements are administered as ordered. When monitoring of liquid intake and administration of supplements is not done properly, patients are at risk of becoming malnourished and dehydrated.
Once dehydration sets in, other medical problems can become aggravated. For example, dehydration is known to exacerbate dementia. Dehydration also slows healing of skin problems, such as lesions and ulcers. The immune system can become weakened, leaving the patient vulnerable to opportunistic infections. Convalescent home dehydration is common enough that medical literature exists on the topic, along with a considerable body of literature on how to prevent it.
Do Not Accept Excuses for Nursing Home Malnutrition
Nursing homes need to administer medically required treatment, monitor fluid and food intake, and follow best practices in charting. As simple as it sounds, doing these things can prevent many cases of malnutrition and dehydration. When facilities do not keep to these easy procedures, injuries and death can result.
Homes frequently try to blame inexperienced staff, uncooperative patients, or unclear doctor’s orders. Such excuses do not let a nursing home off the hook. If you believe your family member has become dehydrated or died as a result of nursing home negligence or abuse, contact our experienced nursing home neglect lawyer at the Stockton, California, office of Lawrence M. Knapp. We are here to help.
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