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Dehydration and Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

There are different reasons why a nursing home resident might become dehydrated, but if not addressed dehydration is a form of abuse and neglect.

Reasons for dehydration in a nursing home resident

• Illnesses like fevers, infections, or diarrhea can cause increased fluid loss which leads to dehydration
• If a resident doesn’t have access to fluids, they can become dehydrated
• Some medications list dehydration as a side effect
• Some conditions leave residents with an inability to feel thirsty
• The resident’s kidneys could be losing the ability to concentrate urine

Risk factors for dehydration

If a nursing home resident has one or more of the following issues or conditions, they could be at risk of becoming dehydrated unless they receive proper care:

• Depression (which can stem from poor care)
• Stroke
• Diabetes (especially if not properly treated)
• Malnutrition
• Urinary incontinence
• Dementia (i.e. Alzheimers, Parkinsons)
• Previous cases of dehydration
• Psychiatric problems
• More than four chronic conditions
• Use of laxatives or diuretics
• Illness, especially if accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea or a fever

Tips for preventing dehydration

Dehydration can be prevented with proper care and monitoring of nursing home residents. Staff have a duty to ensure that residents receive the type and amount of fluids that they need to stay healthy. A resident prone to dehydration can have a personalized care plan prepared for staff to follow in order to prevent future cases of dehydration.

• Ensure residents have eight glasses of fluid a day to drink
• Drinks should be within reach 24 hours a day
• Staff should provide drinks that the resident likes
• If a resident requires assistance with drinking, staff should be available whenever they need to drink
• Staff should monitor the amount of fluids that a resident consumes in a 24 hour period
• Staff should be on the lookout for signs of dehydration such as cracked lips, dry or flaky skin, dark urine, etc.

Are you concerned about the treatement that someone you love is receiving at a Virginia nursing home? If you need legal help because of nursing home abuse or neglect, then please contact the Norfolk based attorneys at Weisberg & Zaleski. We will review your case with you for no cost or obligation, and help you move forward to secure justice for your loved one.

Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C.

112 College Place

Norfolk, VA 23510

Toll Free: (800) 690-0235

Phone: (757) 622-7740

Fax: (757) 533-9223

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