Nursing Home Dehydration and Malnutrition in Pennsylvania: Warning Signs Families Should Know
Dehydration and malnutrition can have devastating effects on elderly nursing home residents.
A resident who is not receiving adequate food, fluids, assistance, or monitoring may experience weakness, confusion, weight loss, falls, kidney problems, pressure sores, hospitalization, or other serious complications.
Why Are Nursing Home Residents at Risk?
Residents may need assistance because of:
- Dementia;
- Difficulty swallowing;
- Physical weakness;
- Dental problems;
- Medication effects;
- Depression;
- Reduced appetite;
- Inability to feed themselves; or
- Medical conditions affecting hydration or nutrition.
These conditions can make monitoring essential.
What Are Possible Warning Signs?
Families may notice:
- Sudden weight loss;
- Dry mouth;
- Sunken appearance;
- Weakness;
- Confusion;
- Reduced urine output;
- Frequent urinary infections;
- Poor wound healing;
- Refusal or inability to eat;
- Unopened meal trays; or
- Repeated hospitalizations for dehydration.
One sign alone may have many explanations. A pattern deserves attention.
What Should the Facility Be Monitoring?
Depending on the resident, relevant care may include:
- Weight checks;
- Food and fluid intake;
- Dietary consultations;
- Swallow evaluations;
- Assistance with meals;
- Physician notification;
- Nutritional supplements; and
- Changes to the care plan.
Can Staffing Problems Contribute?
A resident may be physically capable of eating but unable to do so without assistance.
If staff do not have enough time to help residents eat, drink, reposition, or use the restroom, basic care can suffer.
That makes staffing and assignment records potentially important in a serious nursing home claim.
Pittsburgh Nursing Home Malnutrition and Dehydration Attorney
If your loved one suffered serious injury, hospitalization, or decline associated with dehydration or malnutrition in a Pennsylvania nursing home, Frank Walker Law can review the circumstances.
Please like and share this article with your network. A friend or loved one may recognize these warning signs and take action before a nursing home resident suffers further harm.
About Frank Walker Law
Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer, and Personal Injury Attorney who has been recognized as a Super Lawyer, a member of the National College for DUI Defense, Best Attorneys in America, Best Law firms of America, America’s Greatest Attorneys, and a Top AVVO Rated attorney, with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.
Additionally, you can find Attorney Walker on YouTube, TikTok, the Pittsburgh Attorney Podcast and the West Virginia Attorney Podcast, where he gives legal tips (not advice!) and discusses the pressing legal issues of the day.
If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or are seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-532-6805 (Pittsburgh), 304-413-0179 (Morgantown), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.