Delaware Nursing Home Injury Attorneys
Dehydration is a serious medical condition caused by the body losing more fluids than are taken in. Young, healthy people can tolerate some form of minimal dehydration without any serious physical repercussions. Elderly people are not as fortunate however. Dehydration is a very common injury stemming from nursing home neglect and assisted living malpractice. Elderly persons suffering from dehydration can experience disastrous consequences and you may be able to seek legal recourse by filing a personal injury lawsuit. You need the help of our Delaware and Maryland nursing home dehydration injury attorneys.
If a loved one has been neglected to the point of dehydration contact our Delaware nursing home neglect attorneys to discuss your rights. Our Wilmington, Delaware nursing home abuse attorneys are skilled Delaware Trial Attorneys who possess the skills, knowledge and resources to get you the full, fair and just compensation for your loved one’s injuries.
Dehydration & Neglect In Delaware Convalescent Homes
Allowing nursing home residents to become dehydrated is indicative of possible nursing home negligence. They cannot take care of themselves and are dependent on others for care, medication administration, nourishment and adequate fluid intake. Left to their own devices they may not eat enough or consume enough fluids. Their inability to care for themselves is why they are in a home or assisted living facility to begin with. Making sure the patients eat and drink enough is the responsibility of the nursing home, the staff and the homes parent company if applicable. Common reasons of dehydration injuries in Delaware nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals are:
Not supplying the resident with enough water
Leaving patients in warmer than needed rooms
Untreated increases in bodily temperature
Loss of fluids due to diarrhea and vomiting
Untreated infections
Excessively high blood sugar
Adverse reaction to medication
Many times nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Delaware are understaffed. This can lead to not properly train their staff and engage in subpar patient care practices. If you feel that your loved ones are not receiving the care they deserve, and are suffering injuries because of it, you should speak with a skilled Delaware nursing home neglect lawyer today.
Complications Symptoms Of Dehydration In The Elderly
Elderly persons can become dehydrated much quicker than a young person can. A 10% reduction in fluids can result in serious health complications and a 20% decrease in fluids can result in death in an elderly person. The reason for increased chances of dehydration among elderly citizens is less fluid content in the body, about 10 percent less than that of an adult’s body. It is also the physiological changes associated with aging, like reduced sense of thirst and loss of appetite that trigger dehydration in the senior citizens.
Very often the signs of dehydration may be are mild and vague. They are very similar to dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms. Signs of dehydration in the elderly include:
- Severe thirst
- Confusion
- Muscle weakness
- Constipation
- Sunken eyes
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Fever
- Pneumonia
- Disorientation
- Urinary tract infections
- Tachycardia (increased heart rate)
- Weight loss
- Dry and poor elasticity skin
- Decreased urine output
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Increased risk of infections
Dehydration is a very preventable condition. The best way to check dehydration among the elderly is monitoring the body weight on a daily basis. Dehydration is mild, if the weight value is reduced by 2 percent; whereas, it is severe in case of 5 percent (or more) loss of body weight. It is the responsibility of the nursing home staff to properly monitor your loved ones fluid intake in an effort to prevent dehydration.
If any of these symptoms is observed in your loved ones while under the care of a Delaware nursing home, It is advisable that you consult with our Delaware dehydration injury attorneys to discuss your claim.
Contact Our Delaware Dehydration Injury Lawyers
Please connect with our team of Delaware assisted living home neglect attorneys today. They will identify all liable parties and make them accountable legally and get your loved ones the benefits and compensation they rightfully deserve.
The Dover Delaware dehydration injury attorneys at Shelsby & Leoni help victims of nursing home neglect throughout Delaware and Maryland. This includes Wilmington, Newark, Middletown, Diver, Milford, Millsboro, Seaford, Lewes, Georgetown, Delmar, Delaware City, Annapolis, Elkton, Waldorf, La Plata, Bennsville, Bel Air, Rockville and Salisbury.