When your loved one is in a nursing home, you may be concerned about their happiness and the quality of their medical care. Most of us just assume that loved ones will receive appropriate nutrition from those we entrust with their care. Tragically, it is not uncommon for patients to suffer from dehydration and malnutrition in Stamford nursing homes, often due to neglect.
When you are concerned about your loved one and fear they may not be getting enough food and fluids, contact the lawyers at Berkowitz Hanna. Our nursing home negligence attorneys can help you seek justice.
Loss of appetite is common in older people, especially when taking certain medications. Swallowing may be painful or difficult, resulting in patients trying to eat and drink as little as possible. Depression and lack of exercise can suppress the appetite and sense of thirst.
It is up to nursing home staff to ensure all patients are receiving adequate nutrition and fluids. They must monitor patients’ intake and report to medical personnel when the patient is not eating and drinking enough. If necessary, the patient should receive intravenous nutrition and fluids.
Unfortunately, many nursing homes are severely understaffed, and the staff they have might be undertrained. Close monitoring of a patient’s food and liquid intake might fall by the wayside as limited staff must respond to more urgent patient needs. A patient may become malnourished or dehydrated before a staff member notices.
When your loved one is in a nursing home, it is important to be cognizant of the signs of malnourishment and dehydration. Sudden weight loss is an obvious sign of possible malnutrition, but it can have other causes. Other symptoms of malnutrition can include yellowing skin, tooth or hair loss, lethargy, and feeling cold all the time. Symptoms of dehydration include dry, papery skin, loss of skin elasticity, constipation, reduced urine output or very dark urine, exhaustion, and headaches.
When your loved one is experiencing symptoms you believe might be related to malnutrition or dehydration, bring it to the attention of the facility administrator and your loved one’s doctor. If the diagnosis is dehydration or malnutrition due to nursing home neglect, contact the Stamford attorneys at Berkowitz Hanna.
Nursing home neglect can cause considerable harm, reducing a patient’s quality of life and even shortening their lifespan. The facility that allowed the neglect of a patient in its care should be held accountable.
When a Stamford attorney’s review of the patient’s medical record indicates they suffered from malnutrition or dehydration due to neglect, the patient or their family could file a lawsuit claiming the facility did not offer an appropriate standard of care. A Berkowitz Hanna lawyer would also consult with a medical expert as required by Connecticut General Statutes §52-190a.
When there is proof the nursing home did not provide reasonable care to the patient, a lawsuit could claim compensation for the patient’s medical expenses, the costs of relocating them to a different facility, and their pain and suffering.
It is a tragedy when your loved one is in the care of a nursing home that does not provide adequate food and fluids. The facility’s staff is obligated to monitor resident’s intake and take immediate steps to ensure they eat and drink enough to maintain their condition.
If your loved one is suffering from dehydration and malnutrition in a Stamford nursing home, contact Berkowitz Hanna immediately. We provide aggressive advocacy for nursing home patients suffering from neglect. Reach out today to set up your free initial consultation.
Berkowitz Hanna
