Signs of Dehydration in Nursing Home Abuse Cases | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Dehydration is a common form of nursing home neglect and can lead to serious and long-term injuries in elderly individuals. In fact, one study found that more seniors in nursing homes suffer from dehydration than those who live on their own. While dehydration is easily remedied, it often goes unnoticed and untreated at nursing homes, lowering many residents’ quality of life. If dehydration is a persistent problem or left untreated for too long, it can even lead to infections, seizures, too low blood volume, and early death.

If you have a loved one in a nursing home, it is important to understand the signs of dehydration. If you notice that your spouse, parent, or other relative is not getting enough water, which is causing other health issues, you should speak with a physician right away. If your loved one’s life is in danger, get them to an emergency room right away. Your next best course of action is to contact a North Carolina nursing home neglect attorney as soon as possible to learn about your right to recover damages.

Symptoms of Dehydration

It is important to note that the signs of dehydration can differ greatly based on age. In elderly individuals, clear signs that they are not getting enough fluids include:

  • Extreme thirst;
  • Fatigue;
  • Dizziness;
  • Confusion;
  • Not having to go to the bathroom very often; and
  • Dark yellow or brown colored urine.

 

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Elderly individuals need to have their fluids monitored by nursing staff for a variety of reasons. As people age, they conserve less water and their sense of thirst decreases. They may naturally seek out water less often, even though they need it more. Conditions such as diabetes and a variety of medications that act as diuretics also interfere with an elderly individual’s ability to retain water. Additionally, both physical and psychological impairments can make it difficult for residents to obtain water themselves. It is all too easy for an elderly individual to not get enough water.

Contact a Carolinas Personal Injury Attorney

If your loved one was injured or showed signs of abuse or neglect while a patient in a nursing home, contact a North Carolina nursing home abuse attorney to find out what legal recourse you may have against the facility. For more information about nursing home abuse and neglect, read this article by a leading North Carolina nursing home abuse attorney.