Palm Beach County Nursing Home Dehydration Lawyer

Water is essential for the body to function, and when the body does not have enough water it goes into a state known as dehydration. Residents in nursing home facility need to be treated with dignity and respect, as well as receive the proper care and treatment.

Incidents of dehydration in nursing homes are a major problem across the country. Dehydration in Palm Beach County nursing homes can be caused by a variety of factors such as medication, illness, or disease, which is a reason why dehydration amongst nursing home residents is such a systemic problem. However, dehydration in a nursing home setting may indicate that a nursing home resident has been the victim of abuse or neglect.

If you suspect you or a loved one have been the victim of nursing home abuse and neglect, contact a capable nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer who can investigate the underlying causes of dehydration to determine if you or a loved one have been the victim of nursing home abuse and neglect.

Importance of Staying Hydrated

Florida has enacted numerous laws designed to protect nursing home residents, and pursuant to Florida’s Administrative Code Section 59.A-4.110 nursing homes are required to have at least one full-time staff member who shall serve as the Director of Food Services, who must be a licensed dietitian.

Any qualified dietitian will attest to the importance of having adequate water, and will likely attest to what happens to the body when there a person is not receiving enough water and therefore becomes dehydrated.

In addition, nursing homes are required to have a certain number of licensed nurses, who are responsible for care and treatment of nursing home residents and should ensure that residents are receiving an adequate amount of water.

Causes and Contributing Factors to Dehydration

Simply, dehydration occurs when the body loses more water than it takes in, and unfortunately, is a common condition amongst nursing home residents. While dehydration occurs naturally, it is a nursing homes responsibility to ensure that nursing home residents receive the appropriate amount of water. There are numerous reasons for dehydration in Palm Beach County nursing homes, which may serve as the basis for imposing liability on a nursing home including:

• Inadequate staff – Nursing homes are required to staff a certain number of staff, which varies based on the size of the nursing home facility
• Inadequate training – Nursing home staff are also required to possess a certain level of education, as well as go through specific training
• Inadequate supervision – In addition to being understaffed, nursing homes often have a problem supervising staff which may lead to nursing home assistants missing signs of dehydration amongst residents
• Residents were unable to vocalize – In some cases, dehydration can occur because a resident is unable to vocalize their need for water

Complications of Nursing Home Dehydration

Dehydration amongst the elderly is a major concern that if not properly addressed and alleviated could result in serious complications such as:

• Seizures
• Kidney failure
• Coma
• Death

Family members should stay alert to the signs and symptoms of dehydration in Palm Beach County nursing homes, which include sunken eyes, rapid, breathing, decreased urination, dry skin, and a lack of sweating.

Turning to a Palm Beach County Nursing Home Dehydration Attorney

Proper hydration is an essential part of a person’s health particularly amongst the elderly. Anytime a family notices that their loved one may be suffering from the effects of dehydration in Palm Beach County nursing homes, they should alert the nursing home staff and supervisors. In some instances, a person may be suffering from dehydration because of an unknown condition, or illness. However, in other cases, dehydration can be a sign of abuse or neglect.

In cases where a family suspects that their loved one’s dehydration is caused by nursing home negligence or abuse, a nursing home abuse lawyer can provide guidance and support. A Palm Beach County nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer will investigate the factors that lead to dehydration including determining if a nursing home is properly staffed or whether staff should be held liable for their actions.