Malnutrition / Dehydration

Malnutrition and dehydration are critical problems for elderly nursing home residents in Arizona and throughout the U.S. because they often have a variety of age-related limitations that can contribute to reduction in food intake.

Elderly Arizona nursing home patients suffering from malnutrition, or under-nutrition, often experience diminishing immunity from infections, loss of mobility and decreased muscle strength, which can result in pressure sores and falls. Malnutrition can also lead to organ failure and, ultimately, wrongful death.

Our Nursing Home Abuse law firm has extensive experience with nursing home negligence cases. Attorney James Morgan has specialized in Arizona nursing home abuse for a number of years.  In such cases, he will carefully research the nursing home’s history of violations of both federal and state law to determine any pattern of neglect by the facility. He will also explore any possible staffing and training deficiencies, which are often a main cause of nursing home injuries.

Signs of Malnutrition and Dehydration

·         Clothing fits loosely
·         Cracks around the mouth
·         Pale lips and mouth
·         Dentures no longer fit
·         Hair growing more sparse or thinning
·         Wounds take longer to heal
·         Unusual confusion
·         Breakdown of the skin
·         Sunken eyes
·         Weight loss

A number of factors can lead to malnutrition and dehydration in a long-term care or nursing home facility.  Inhibitors to proper nutrition for elderly nursing home residents can include frequent illnesses that cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, swallowing or dental problems in the patient, isolation and depression and intentional food restriction by patients who fear incontinence or choking.

Contributing environmental factors can include:

·         adverse drug events that cause stomach upset, confusion and drowsiness 
·         food or drug interactions that interfere with the body’s absorption of nutrients
·         level of dependency on feeding assistance
·         poor positioning during mealtime
·         not keeping water accessible at all times
·         under qualified staff and insufficient assistance from staff for residents who need help eating
·         special or monotonous diets

Understaffing has been noted as a prime contributor to malnutrition and dehydration in nursing homes. Studies indicate that understaffed facilities have stricter schedules that don't allow sufficient time for feeding residents or ensuring residents have water available to them at all times. 

In 2006, a study conducted at the University of Arizona, College of Nursing, assessed 80 nursing residents from two, for profit, nursing homes in southwest Arizona.  Of the participants, 33% had nutritional test results indicating malnutrition. 

When Arizona families must turn to a nursing home facility to provide care for a loved one, they expect that their loved one will receive sufficient nutrition; one of life’s most basic necessities. If you suspect someone you care about is suffering from malnutrition or has died as a result of malnutrition in an Arizona nursing home or long-term facility, contact Arizona nursing home abuse attorney James Morgan for a free consultation.

Our qualified team of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect lawyers is dedicated to pursuing justice for those injured by nursing home negligence, abuse and medical misconduct and are committed to helping prevent nursing home abuse and neglect by diligently defending the rights of elders.

If someone you care about has suffered from Arizona nursing home abuse, neglect or medical misconduct, contact the leading Arizona Elder Abuse Lawyer James Morgan for a free case evaluation.  Our Arizona Nursing Home Abuse Law Firm represents victims of elder abuse in Maricopa County, Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Peoria, Chandler, Sun City, Sun City West, Fountain Hills, Surprise, Gilbert, El Mirage, Avondale, Tempe, Scottsdale, Tucson, Pima County, Yuma, Yuma County, Flagstaff, and Coconino County.