Seniors require unique health care. Most relatives or family members find providing such care exhausting, and at times a road to loneliness to the resident. As such, they take their loved one to a nursing home facility. These homes are not prone to mishandling such seniors. One major problem for the complications of the elderly is dehydration. If your loved one has developed complications due to dehydration, you need to seek justice.
For damage recovery, you can file a claim for complications resulting from dehydration in the elderly in a nursing home facility.
Signs of Dehydration in Elderly
Dehydration is the state in which the body loses excessive water, which later disrupts normal functions. When a senior becomes dehydrated, this raises a lot of health concerns. Where such a condition emanates from chronic ailments, dehydration may be life-threatening.
Nursing home abuse and negligence lead to injuries and sometimes death.
If you choose to take your senior to a nursing home and have been observing strange changes, you might be concerned with dehydration which is a significant problem for the elderly. Though every individual is different, there are common signs to look for:
- Sunken eyes or cheeks
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Less urination and lower frequency of urination
Research also shows that dehydration is connected with malnourishment. Seniors with mobility issues and little or no assistance to the washrooms may fear taking too much water, especially if they have a loose bladder. Again, some have an issue with their speech, and they may not be able to ask for water. Such seniors may suffer from recognizing abuse.
If your loved one has suffered due to negligence. The best course of action would be to look for a personal injury attorney in Alaska to guide you on what evidence is needed and the process of claiming for damages.
The staff should be in a position to observe the above signs and ensure proper monitoring. In case of injuries, such residents should be treated accordingly.
Most of the causes of dehydration are preventable. If the proper protocols are followed, seniors should not suffer.
Dehydration is one of the common signs of elderly abuse and neglect. However, the health concern may not necessarily emanate from negligence; there could be other reasons such as medications or underlying health conditions.
If you believe in having a case, it would be better to have a lawyer determine whether it’s valid.
Also read: Personal Injury: How to Find the Right Lawyer
Filing Your Dehydration Lawsuit
If your senior has suffered from dehydration, you may consider having a lawyer guide you on how to file your claim. Such a lawyer can handle a dehydration lawsuit.
There are many reasons to base your claim on such as:
- Improper practices at the facility.
- Inadequate supervision for the senior’s water drinking habits.
The nursing home should adhere to the standards set for care where every senior should receive adequate supervision to ensure they are free from health hazards.
If a nursing home fails to comply and a resident suffers, this brings rise to a lawsuit.
For your lawsuit, you have to prove that a negligent caregiver caused harm to your vulnerable senior. Since cases and facts vary, having legal advice would greatly assist in protecting your senior’s rights. There are many reasons why seniors might not have anyone check to see if they drink sufficient water for their hydration. Such as:
- Lack of sufficient staffing in a way to inflate profits.
- Limited training or experience. For instance, staff should note dry skin or sunken eyes, confusion, or any other condition for dehydration or any other abnormal sign.
- Overcrowded nursing facilities.
If you take your senior to a nursing home, keep in mind that they are prone to dehydration. This is especially if they have a chronic illness such as diabetes. And such dehydration may lead to problems such as seizures, urinary problems.
Work Out Your Case With A Lawyer
Each resident case requires a unique response. Having a lawyer will not only assist you in seeking justice, but the lawyer may demand that the victim be offered special treatment from a recognized medical doctor. That’s why it makes sense to have a lawyer guide you on what to provide for your case. Such cases may even amount to medical malpractice.
Again, proving liability in dehydration is complicated. You need to prove how your senior’s dehydration emanated from negligence. You may not be in a position to provide adequate evidence; therefore, it would be better to discuss the best options with a lawyer.
Filing your dehydration lawsuit may help get justice for your loved one and ensure you don’t have to spend out-of-pocket expenses for treatment and other necessary care to the senior. No senior should suffer at the hands of negligent staff or nursing homes. You should look for legal help to get the best out of your claim.
Should you have any concerns about dehydration, you can contact a lawyer for a free consultation.
Also read: Senior Living For The Elderly
