Causes of Dehydration in the Elderly
Studies conducted by the American Geriatric Society show that inadequate staffing and lack of supervision are primary causes of nursing home dehydration.
As people age, their bodies become less able to hold a reserve of water and detect thirst. Illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias create an even bigger challenge.
Additionally, the elderly population, in general, has more problems with mobility, making getting up to get a drink a problem.
Other causes of nursing home dehydration include:
- Colds or sore throats that make residents less likely to drink
- Diarrhea and vomiting due to common illnesses
- Excessive sweating due to certain cancer medications
- Increased urination due to diuretics
Although some risks for dehydration in nursing homes are difficult to stay ahead of, the condition is preventable. If the potential for dehydration is recognized early on, medical complications can usually be avoided through intervention.
Signs of Dehydration in Nursing Homes
Early symptoms of dehydration can be difficult to notice, so it’s especially important to pay close attention to some of the common signs of dehydration that nursing homes often overlook.
Often overlooked signs of nursing home dehydration include:
- Confusion
- Dark-colored urine
- Difficulty walking
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Muscle cramps
- Rapid heart rate
According to the Mayo Clinic, mild to moderate dehydration can usually be reversed by drinking fluids. However, late-stage dehydration requires immediate medical care.
Therefore, it’s very important to be able to recognize the signs of dehydration in nursing homes. If nursing home dehydration symptoms are not caught and result in serious complications, it is likely to be considered nursing home neglect under both federal and state laws.
Early Stages of Dehydration Symptoms
- Constipation
- Dry mouth or dry cough
- Flushed skin
- Headache
- Loss of appetite with a possible craving for sugar
- Low blood pressure (with high heart rate)
- Swollen feet
Late Stages of Dehydration Symptoms
- Confusion or slurred speech
- Fainting
- Hallucinating
- Lack of sweating
- Muscle twitching
- Seizures
- Temperature above 102 degrees
If you believe your loved one is suffering from nursing home dehydration, it is urgent to seek medical help. They may need intravenous fluid or other emergency care. Complications from severe dehydration can cause life-threatening conditions and even death.
Complications From Dehydration in the Elderly
Dehydration can cause a number of other serious complications, so it is vital that nursing home staff monitor and address symptoms of dehydration promptly.
Complications from nursing home dehydration include:
- Coma
- Kidney stones, kidney disease, or kidney failure
- Seizures due to imbalanced electrolytes
- Swelling of the brain
- Urinary tract infections
One of the more serious complications that can be caused by nursing home dehydration is hypovolemic shock, which occurs when blood pressure and the amount of oxygen in the body drop. Hypovolemia can be life-threatening and may even lead to death.
Unfortunately, employees may not be properly trained to recognize the symptoms of dehydration in nursing homes.
Preventing Nursing Home Dehydration
It is very important for family members and loved ones to understand the seriousness of dehydration in nursing homes so they can be on the lookout for red flags.
Some ways to help protect loved ones from dehydration include:
- Asking nursing home staff to encourage your loved one to drink liquids even if they don’t feel thirsty
- Bringing sports drinks, oral rehydration solutions, and other fluid replacement options when you visit
- Ensuring urine output is being monitored
- Requesting extra fluids for your loved one
- Talking to your loved one’s health care providers about their risk of dehydration so you know how much water intake they need
- Visiting at different times of the day to make sure water is available
Dehydration and Nursing Home Neglect
Although family and friends can play a key role in preventing nursing home dehydration, the bottom line is that nursing homes have an obligation to prevent dehydration. Failure to do so is a form of neglect.
In a study published by the National Institutes for Health (NIH), several factors contributed to dehydration in nursing homes. For example, the study found that fluid intake in residents was inconsistent, and even when fluids were given regularly, oftentimes it was not enough water.
“Using three established standards, we found that the fluid intake was inadequate for nearly all of the residents.”
– Journal of American Geriatric Society
The study also found that some residents were unable to communicate their thirst either due to an inability to speak or not understanding English. The reality is that studies like this only prove what many people already suspect: Neglect in nursing homes is far too common.
Something as easily preventable as dehydration in nursing homes should not be an issue of this scale, causing hospitalizations and deaths. It’s critical for nursing homes to ensure adequate staffing and train their employees to know the signs and symptoms of dehydration.
Take Legal Action for Dehydration in Nursing Homes
The 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act declared that not assisting residents in getting adequate hydration is a form of neglect.
If your loved one suffered from complications due to dehydration, take legal action now. By filing a nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit, you can get justice for your loved one’s needless suffering. More importantly, a successful nursing home lawsuit can get you the compensation needed to ensure your loved one receives higher quality care.
Nobody should have to experience dehydration in a nursing home. Get a free case review today to find out if you or your loved one is entitled to compensation.
