Dehydration is a major problem in nursing homes across the New York and Long Island area. Seniors in nursing homes are being neglected; they are not being given sufficient liquids to drink, and they are not being monitored for early symptoms of dehydration. In seniors, dehydration can lead to serious medical problems; in some cases, even death.
Dehydration is defined as excessive loss of water from the body or from an organ or body part, and it may be caused by illness or fluid deprivation. Dehydration is harmful to anyone, but it can be especially dangerous for the elderly. Dehydration can lead to pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bed sores, confusion and disorientation, and many other dangerous and/or uncomfortable conditions.
Dehydration in many New York Nursing homes, and it is caused by a variety of factors. These include increased fluid loss due to illness, decreased intake of fluids, decreased thirst, side effects of medications, or a decrease in the efficiency of the kidneys, leading to their failure to concentrate urine.
The symptoms of dehydration include:
- cracked lips
- uncontrollable chills
- Decline in cognitive ability
- Physical weakness
- Dark-colored urine
Dehydration should always be monitored by nursing-home staff, ensuring that each patient has sufficient liquid and is provided with any necessary assistance in drinking throughout the day, and that staff is provided the necessary training to recognize and treat symptoms of dehydration.
If a nursing home ignores these responsibilities, and an elderly patient becomes dehydrated, it could be considered New York nursing home neglect. In cases of nursing home neglect, the injured party (or their family) is entitled to compensation for their injuries or loss.
Call the experienced Long Island nursing home neglect attorneys at Rappaport, Glass, Greene, and Levine if a loved one has been the victim of New York nursing home neglect. We have seen many cases of nursing home neglect, and we have always fought for our clients to make things right.
