Dehydration And Malnutrition: A Critical Issue In Nursing Homes

Ensuring proper hydration and nutrition are fundamental to human health. While most adults can easily meet these needs, nursing home residents often rely on staff to ensure their bodies remain adequately hydrated and nourished.

When we place our loved ones in nursing homes, we trust that these basic needs will be regularly met, alleviating our concerns about potential harm from dehydration and malnutrition. Unfortunately, studies reveal that many nursing home residents suffer from these conditions, which not only cause severe health issues but also exacerbate existing physical, mental, and emotional problems.

At The Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Law Firm, PC, LLO, we have witnessed the unnecessary pain and indignity caused by inadequate hydration and nutrition. Our mission is to help these victims and their families achieve justice and fair compensation. By raising awareness of these issues, we aim to drive changes in care practices to prevent future suffering.

Causes of Dehydration and Malnutrition in Nebraska Nursing Homes

Residents are in nursing homes because they cannot manage their basic health needs independently. It is the responsibility of nursing home staff to ensure that residents receive adequate food and fluids. However, this often fails to happen due to:

• Inability to Detect Thirst or Lack of Appetite: Many residents may not feel or recognize thirst or hunger.
• Difficulty in Requesting Assistance: Some residents may struggle to ask for water or help with drinking.
• Inaccessible Food: Food may be too difficult to consume without assistance.
• Cognitive Impairments: Residents might forget to eat or drink or fail to connect hunger and thirst with the need to consume food and fluids.
• Difficulty Swallowing: Swallowing issues can prevent adequate intake.
• Overworked Staff: Staff may be too busy to notice whether residents are eating and drinking enough.
• Fear of Needing Bathroom Assistance: Residents may avoid drinking to prevent the need for help with using the bathroom.
• Inadequate Training: Staff may not be properly instructed to ensure residents consume the available food and water.

Often, the root cause is insufficient staffing and inadequate training. Nursing homes sometimes cut staff to increase profits, leading to overworked employees who may leave, resulting in a reliance on new, untrained staff unaware of residents’ needs.

For example, staff might place a cup of water on a resident’s tray but fail to ensure the resident drinks it. Overworked medical staff might miss signs of dehydration and malnutrition or misattribute them to other causes.

Consequences of Dehydration and Malnutrition

Inadequate hydration and nutrition pose severe health risks:

• Kidney Failure and UTIs: Dehydration impairs kidney function, leading to kidney failure and urinary tract infections.
• Brain Swelling: Erratic water consumption can cause the brain to store water, leading to swelling and brain tissue injuries.
• Pressure Wounds: Dehydration and malnutrition contribute to skin breakdown and pressure wounds.
• Reduced Mobility and Energy: Malnutrition causes muscle mass loss and energy depletion, increasing the risk of falls and injuries.
• Blood Pressure and Electrolyte Imbalances: Weight loss from malnutrition can drop blood pressure and disrupt electrolytes, causing bodily difficulties.
• Exacerbation of Existing Conditions: Any pre-existing physical or mental conditions worsen with dehydration and malnutrition.

Prevention of Dehydration and Malnutrition

Preventing dehydration and malnutrition in nursing homes is straightforward:

• Ensure Adequate Fluid and Nutrition Intake: Staff must ensure every resident receives enough fluids and food.
• Adaptive Tableware: Using specialized tableware can help some residents eat more easily.
• Extra Assistance: Some residents may need additional help to maintain proper hydration.
• Awareness and Monitoring: Staff should be aware of the risks and have the time to ensure residents’ needs are met. If deficiencies are noticed, prompt action should be taken.

Taking Action Against Dehydration and Malnutrition

There is no excuse for allowing nursing home residents to suffer from dehydration and malnutrition. These conditions are entirely preventable with proper training and adequate staffing. Nursing homes that fail to provide necessary care should be held accountable.

If you suspect that a loved one has suffered from dehydration or malnutrition in a nursing home, contact The Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Law Firm, PC, LLO, powered by Reed Law Offices, PC, LLO. Learn more about how we can help you pursue justice and drive changes to improve care standards.

For a confidential free consultation, contact our team today.