Nursing Home Malnutrition & Dehydration Lawyers in Maryland

No One Deserves Neglect

Putting your loved one in the care of a nursing home facility should never be considered a risk. Unfortunately, nursing home neglect and abuse happen on a disturbingly common basis in the United States.

Malnutrition and dehydration occur in your loved one when staff fails to provide them with sufficient fluids and food. Dehydration happens when a person loses more water than they take in, resulting in poor health and creating harm. Chronic dehydration can lead to brain swelling, kidney failure, seizures, pneumonia, coma, or even death. Malnutrition is the lack of proper nutrition and occurs when there is a lack of vitamins, nutrients, and food in general in a person’s diet. It leads to muscle weakness, a weakened immune system, decreased organ function, and death.

Seniors can become dehydrated and malnourished due to a variety of reasons, including medication, decreased thirst, or illness. However, dehydration and malnutrition are also signs of abuse in nursing homes, because caregivers have a responsibility to monitor residents and ensure they are drinking adequate fluids and eating properly.

Signs of Malnutrition & Dehydration

Some forms of malnutrition and dehydration are visible, while some are not so easy to notice.

Some signs of malnutrition and dehydration can include:

• Low blood pressure
• Difficulty walking, dizziness, headaches, fatigue
• Constipation or decreased urination
• Weight loss
• Bloating
• Tooth decay, swollen/bleeding gums
• Dry skin
• Dry mouth, frequently thirsty
• Muscle loss
• Decline in mental function
• Increased confusion and irritability

Malnutrition and dehydration are serious matters. You want the best for your loved ones, and they deserve to receive proper care.

If you suspect that your elderly loved one is malnourished and dehydrated due to negligence or abuse, contact Potter Burnett Law today.