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Typically, nursing home residents are there because they require care that cannot be provided outside the facility. They may need care from trained nurses who can help with bathing, moving, or rehabilitation. It is exceptionally concerning when the facility neglects to provide the care that the resident requires.
In our opinion, one of the biggest failures of these facilities occurs when residents in Indianapolis nursing homes must suffer dehydration and malnutrition. If this sounds like a situation you have witnessed with your loved one or have suffered with yourself, we want you to know that our nursing home abuse lawyers are here to help you with potential legal options.
Dehydration and malnutrition can happen for various reasons, especially for older people who need enhanced care. Some of the most common reasons include:
Although each issue may be singular, malnutrition and dehydration often occur because of several problems. In a nursing home, staff members are trained to pay attention to the patient and observe possible issues, while also seeking to help the patient. Failure to do this could open themselves up to a lawsuit for damages.
Elderly people are already at risk for a variety of health conditions. Not getting enough to drink or failing to eat a healthy diet can further complicate matters. Some other health concerns include:
A lack of food and hydration may increase hospitalization, decrease someone’s quality of life, and other situations that can lead to injuries and financial expenses that could have been avoided.
Families often place elderly relatives in nursing homes when they lack the resources to provide adequate care at home, often feeling it is in their best interests. Indiana relies on state and federal staffing requirements to provide the safe space that families need for their loved ones. According to CMS 3442-F, federal rules require:
Indiana requires:
Most people assume that if nursing homes are required to have nurses on staff, then elderly patients will be well taken care of. However, malnutrition and dehydration often occur because of:
If a nursing home has too many residents, insufficient staff, poor maintenance, and other issues, there is a higher risk of patient neglect. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to see these instances of negligence ahead of time.
Malnutrition and dehydration are preventable issues for our older loved ones, especially in a long-term care facility. We feel it should never happen to someone you love. If it does, or if you experienced something similar while in a nursing home, you should seek legal advice regarding what to do next. By holding the facility liable for the pain you have felt, you are stopping it from happening to other families.
Document what you see and seek proper care for the nursing home resident. Then contact McCready Law and speak with us about possible dehydration and malnutrition claims in an Indianapolis nursing home.