Is Dehydration A Form Of Nursing Home Abuse?

Dehydration may first appear to be quite minor, when uttered in the same sentence as nursing home abuse. But elder abuse comes in different shapes and forms than those which are easy to spot with the eye. Since dehydration is completely avoidable, it is considered a form of Florida nursing home abuse under certain conditions.

Dehydration can result from diarrhea, medication, and even refusal to eat and drink. However, it is the nursing home’s responsibility to closely monitor the elderly patient’s intake of liquids and food. If a patient’s needs are being ignored, this is a form of neglect and grounds for nursing home abuse.

Dehydration symptoms include:  dizziness, irritability, dry mouth, dark urine, gray skin, fever, confusion, delirium, and infection.  Being neglected and deprived of liquids may often cause serious complications including kidney failure, coma, and reduced blood flow—each of which can become fatal.

If you have a loved one in a nursing home and you suspect that their medical complications have worsened as a result of abuse or neglect, it is vital to contact a skilled Broward County Nursing Home Abuse Attorney. To successfully pursue defending your loved one’s rights, you will need a qualified Florida Nursing Home Abuse Attorney. Call 954-677-0155.