Any time you place a loved one in a nursing home, you are relying on the facility to protect and nurture your loved one. You also count on the facility to take care of their basic needs, including nutrition, personal care, and hydration. When those things do not happen, and you discover that the facility has been neglectful, you could rightfully feel angry. If you want justice for dehydration and malnutrition in Suffolk County nursing homes, a dedicated lawyer could assist.
Malnutrition occurs when the body is in an imbalanced state between the nutrients it needs and the nutrients it is receiving. Malnutrition can occur due to an overall lack of food, including sheer protein and calories, or it can occur due to the lack of a specific vitamin or nutrient. Seniors have different caloric and nutritional needs than others, so it is incredibly important that the Suffolk County nursing home staff be attentive to those needs to avoid malnutrition and other health-related issues.
Dehydration can occur if the body does not receive the necessary amount of water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. While dehydration can occur in any age group, seniors are vulnerable to this condition since many elderly people suffer from diminished thirst perception. Severe dehydration requires the assistance of a medical professional.
Unfortunately, malnutrition and dehydration are all too common issues in Suffolk County nursing homes. Systemic issues, such as understaffed facilities and poor management, can play a role in seniors being neglected or abused. Residents who need help with basic needs could get overlooked and end up suffering from a serious medical condition as a result.
Malnutrition and dehydration can have numerous impacts on a senior loved one. Not only could the seniors struggle with muscle weakness and frailty, but they could be exposed to increased mortality risk and organ damage. There are also emotional impacts of nursing home neglect. A senior could struggle with the loss of basic dignity and cognitive decline, affecting their relationships with relatives who visit them. Someone who realizes their relative has been neglected at a nursing home is entitled to compensation for their loved one’s pain and suffering. A lawyer could help restore a senior’s dignity and ensure that the nursing home responsible is served the appropriate justice.
A Suffolk County lawyer could help with malnutrition and dehydration in nursing homes in many ways. A lawyer could act as an advocate for the resident, standing up for their rights and working to ensure no other senior is neglected. Additionally, a lawyer could work to collect evidence of the neglect, including photographs, witness statements, interviews with the nursing home staff, and any associated medical bills.
A lawyer could also help the senior and their loved ones keep court appointments and phone calls, since these appointments can easily become overwhelming. Ultimately, a lawyer acts as an advocate and a courier of justice.
While many nursing homes do everything they can to ensure the health and dignity of their residents, this is not always the case. If you or your elderly loved one has been a victim of dehydration and malnutrition in Suffolk County nursing homes, a lawyer could assist. Contact Duffy & Duffy to learn more about how we can help you.
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