Malnutrition and Dehydration

When an elder is malnourished or dehydrated while residing in a nursing home, it may be enough to warrant neglect on the part of the facility. If you believe your loved one has been neglected, please call a Tennessee nursing home neglect lawyer from The Higgins Firm now.

The Duty of a Nursing Home

Every nursing home has a duty to provide essential services to the residents living at the facilities. Sadly, a large number of them fail to do so for a number of reasons, including, improperly trained staff or understaffing. When it comes to neglect in a nursing home, the most common, yet overlooked, cases involve malnutrition or dehydration.

When a resident is not being fed on time, or with food that is not healthy, or is otherwise not being hydrated with enough liquids, they could face serious harm. If your loved one has been injured or died, and you believe malnourishment or dehydration has something to do with it, please call a nursing home neglect lawyer in Tennessee. At The Higgins Firm, we will listen to what you have to say and help you to make a sound decision on the next step you should take. Please do not delay in reaching out to our firm.

Understanding Malnutrition and Dehydration in a Nursing Home

Malnutrition can take many forms. It goes beyond a resident not being fed, and can also include a failure to ensure the resident is getting enough minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and nutrients. In general malnourished nursing home patients are those who cannot feed themselves. Malnourishment could result from various factors, including:

The facility fails to make sure the patient is eating the right portion
The patient has dental problems or a lack of appetite which makes eating a full portion difficult
The resident struggles to swallow food
The elder is taking medications which make them not want to eat
The nursing home is understaffed resulting in missed meals

Dehydration in a nursing home can result when the elder is not being given enough fluids. This tends to occur in patients who cannot walk or get to an area that offers liquids. The most common reasons for dehydration in a nursing home to occur, includes:

The elder is taking medications which cause a loss of fluids
The resident does not feel thirsty; therefore, does not drink enough liquids
The nursing home is understaffed and not paying attention to the resident’s intake of liquids
The elder is ill and is not being treated for symptoms that can result in dehydration (i.e. fever, vomiting, diarrhea)

Signs of Malnutrition and Dehydration in a Nursing Home

When a resident of a nursing home is malnourished or dehydrated, their immune system can weaken; thereby resulting in bed sores, infections, and cognitive problems. If these are not treated, the symptoms can become life threatening. As a family member of a loved one in a nursing home, it is important to be able to recognize the symptoms of malnutrition or dehydration; these include:

Loss of appetite or thirst
Constant thirst
Very dry skin
Dark, odorous urine
Nausea and/or vomiting
Slowed breathing
Dizziness
Fever
Chills
Severe weight loss
Seizures
Lack of energy
Decaying teeth
Brittle nails
Loss of hair
Weakened bones or muscles
Bloating
Confusion

How a Tennessee Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer Can Help You

If you believe your elderly loved one, or someone you know, has been injured or died while residing in a nursing home, and you think malnutrition or dehydration could be the cause, you should notify the nursing home of your concern. If you believe they did not take you seriously, or you believe the situation is being covered up, please consult a nursing home lawyer in Tennessee.

Author Bio

Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.

Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.

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