Indianapolis Nursing Home Dehydration Attorneys
Putting a loved one in a nursing home is a difficult decision to make. Many families who have to make this decision are comforted by the thought that the administration and staff will take care of their loved one as carefully and thoroughly as possible. To learn that your loved one is being mistreated can be devastating. Sadly, abuse of the elderly, including life-threatening mistreatment that leads to dangerous dehydration, can occur more frequently in nursing homes than people would like to think.
The nursing home and their staff may be reluctant to admit that there are any problems, and they may, therefore, be hesitant to rectify any issues. In fact, older adults in nursing homes are more likely to suffer from dehydration than similarly situated elderly who are not living in nursing homes. Do not let the mistreatment of your loved one go unaccounted for. Dehydration in seniors can be fatal. If you believe that your loved one is suffering from dehydration in their nursing home, call Hankey Marks & Crider today at (317) 634-8565 for help.
At Hankey Marks & Crider, our Indianapolis nursing home dehydration attorneys have over 75 years of combined experience representing the people of Indianapolis. We are proud members of the Indianapolis community and we feel connected to the people we serve. We work diligently and are honored to fight for justice on behalf of those who have suffered wrongdoing in a nursing home. If you notice that a loved one who is living in a nursing home facility is behaving abnormally or suffering from some of the symptoms of dehydration, do not stand idly by. Contact Hankey Marks & Crider today by calling (317) 634-8565, filling out a contact form, or by chatting with us on our website. We are here to help you put an end to this abuse and mistreatment.
Causes and Symptoms of Dehydration
The leading cause of dehydration is not drinking enough fluids, mainly water, and non-caffeinated beverages. Some fluids, such as those with caffeine, can contribute to dehydration. Individuals who are not getting enough liquids and who are suffering from dehydration can experience many symptoms, including the following:
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Muscle cramps
- Dizziness
- Dry skin
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
- Sunken eyes
- Fainting
- Dark urine or infrequent urination
- Low blood pressure
In severe cases, dehydration can cause high levels of sodium to accumulate in the blood, leading to a condition called hypernatremia. Excessive sodium in the bloodstream is dangerous because it can stiffen blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Given that many people in nursing homes are already suffering from some ailments, they can be especially vulnerable to the effects of dehydration. If not treated promptly, dehydration can be fatal. If your loved one has experienced any of these symptoms, call Hankey Marks & Crider today at (317) 634-8565 so that we can help put an end to any mistreatment.
Nursing Home Dehydration
Research suggests that older adults living in nursing homes are more likely to be dehydrated than seniors living on their own or in senior living communities. This is true for many reasons.
As people age, the thirst that drives people to drink changes, so they simply may not become as thirsty as frequently. That being said, it is important that there is an attentive and responsible nursing home staff member to monitor the nursing home residents’ liquid intake and ensure that dehydration does not result. Older adults are also more likely be on medications that affect their kidney functions. They may need more fluids in these situations.
Another issue is that people in nursing homes may need help drinking, and they may not receive enough assistance from nursing home staff. This can happen with some frequency; many nursing homes are understaffed compared to the number of residents they attend to.
There also may be a language barrier between residents and staff, causing miscommunications and resulting in a resident’s needs going unattended. Nursing home residents may also refrain from drinking fluids because they are worried that they will have to use the bathroom more frequently and may not be able to get to there in a timely fashion because there is not enough staff to assist them.
Watching for dehydration is crucial because it can lead to serious health consequences in the elderly. It can sometimes even be fatal. It is also critical to look out for dehydration because malnutrition often accompanies it. When combined, these two things can cause even more severe and dangerous issues.
Seniors (and particularly residents in nursing homes) can be marginalized and isolated because of their weakened physical and mental states. That is why it is essential for family and friends to speak up if they notice something wrong with their aging loved ones. The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that one in ten people over the age of 60 have been subjected to some form of elder abuse, with estimates that range as high as five million older adults being abused each year. Sadly, it is estimated that only one in fourteen of these instances are reported. This lack of accountability, unfortunately, only perpetuates the cycle of abuse toward the elderly.
If you notice signs of dehydration in your elderly loved one who resides in a nursing home, say something. Do not let your loved ones fall victim to the culture of negligence and abuse that is too often ignored in nursing homes. Call the attorneys at Hankey Marks & Crider for help.
Contact Us
At Hankey Marks & Crider, our dedicated Indianapolis nursing home abuse attorneys have over 75 years of combined experience fighting for the citizens of Indianapolis and Indiana. We enjoy our long civic relationship with the people of Indianapolis and strive to ensure that none of our valued community members are denied justice. If your loved is suffering from dehydration due to mistreatment or negligence at the hands of a nursing home and its staff members, contact Hankey Marks & Crider immediately for help. Call us today at (317) 634-8565.