Dehydration/Malnutrition

Dehydration and malnutrition are prevalent in nursing home and assisted living facility residents. Dehydration and malnutrition occur when residents are not provided enough to eat and/or drink. This is typically caused by a facility’s:

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• failure to assist residents, as needed, during mealtimes, causing them to eat or drink substantially less than they would if they were able to self-feed;

• failure to properly assess a resident’s care needs, including nutritional intake needs and feeding assistance needs,

• failure to maintain adequate staffing to assist residents during mealtime or to recognize signs and symptoms of dehydration and malnutrition or decreased intake,

• failure to train staff to recognize the signs and symptoms of dehydration and malnutrition,

• failure to follow physician’s orders regarding a resident’s dietary needs,

• failure to notify a resident’s physician when there is a change in the resident’s intake, weight, or any other adverse outcome associated with dehydration and/or malnutrition,

• failure to provide well-balanced, palatable meals, and/or

• failure to have a sufficient budget to provide for the dietary needs of facility residents.

Malnutrition and/or dehydration can lead to the following general adverse resident outcomes:

• infections due to a weakened immune system (e.g., pneumonia, UTIs, etc.)

• confusion

• muscle weakness/frailty

• increased risk for falls

• immobility

• increased risk for pressure ulcers

• improper wound healing

• unhealthy weight loss

• osteoporosis

• vitamin deficiencies

• stroke

• death

The bottom line is that through proper care and treatment, dehydration and malnutrition should never happen. If you believe your loved one suffered from dehydration and/or malnutrition at the hands of a nursing home or assisted living facility, contact the experienced attorneys at FIDJ, before it’s too late.

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*The information contained herein is not, and must not be construed as medical advice.