Dehydration in Nursing Homes
Abuse and Neglect Attorney

Personal Injury | Pennsylvania & New Jersey

Bedsores · Wrongful Death · Malpractice Lawsuits · Elder Abuse



Dehydration in Nursing Homes

bedsores and dehydration, bucks county nursing home abuse and neglect attorney brian murphy

All Pennsylvania and New Jersey nursing homes, including Philadelphia, are required, under state and federal law, to provide their residents sufficient liquids to prevent dehydration. Unfortunately, these laws are not always abided by and, too often, Pennsylvania and New Jersey nursing home residents are denied this basic necessity. As a result, they needlessly suffer dehydration for which the nursing home can be held accountable.

Dehydration Is Nursing Home Neglect

While otherwise preventable, when dehydration occurs, it is a form of nursing home neglect. Dehydration is the direct result of a significant deprivation of liquid intake. If ignored or not properly attended to, dehydration can become a very serious threat to a nursing home resident’s medical condition and, in extreme cases, can contribute to a resident’s death.

Especially with the elderly, it is important to maintain proper levels of fluid in the body. A ten (10) percent reduction of fluids in an elderly person can pose a serious risk of harm. A twenty (20) percent reduction of fluids may lead to death.

It does not take much for an elderly nursing home resident to become dehydrated. Relatively short periods of time without water, warm environments, or increases in body temperature can all lead to dehydration. Accordingly, nursing home care providers are responsible for monitoring hydration levels closely. They are charged with the duty of making certain that all nursing home residents are receiving proper fluid intake.

Signs of Dehydration in Nursing Homes

Below are some common signs of dehydration to look out for with your nursing home resident. If your loved one has suffered from any of these symptoms, he or she may be suffering from dehydration. Contact nursing home abuse attorney Brian P. Murphy to get your questions answered. Signs of dehydration commonly include:

  • Dry mouth
  • Dry skin
  • Extreme thirst
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dry lips
  • Darkened urine
  • Feeling light-headed
  • Chills
  • Seizures
  • Labored breathing
  • Confusion
  • Constipation

Why Dehydration Occurs in Nursing Homes
Pennsylvania and New Jersey 

Dehydration of nursing home residents should not happen; however, poorly trained staff and/or a reduction in the number of staff at a nursing home can lead to a resident becoming dehydrated. In all of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, nursing home staff members have the duty to prevent residents from becoming dehydrated. This requires attentive care. Unfortunately, some New Jersey, Delaware Valley, and Philadelphia Metropolitan Area nursing homes intentionally operate with a low number of nurses and nurse aides to keep their costs down. This results in an overall reduction in the quality of care the nursing home can provide. Frequently, nursing homes fail to properly train their care providers on how to prevent residents from becoming dehydrated.

Preventing Dehydration

Below are actions nursing home staff members should be taking to prevent dehydration. If these preventative measures are not taken, your loved one may have been subjected to nursing home neglect.

  • Continuously provide residents with adequate amounts of fluids.
  • Provide supervision of liquid intake during meal and snack times.
  • Make sure all liquids are being consumed.
  • Educate nursing home staff on hydration methods.
  • Monitor and track at-risk residents’ ability to swallow and consume liquids.
  • Monitor medications that may increase the likelihood of dehydration.
  • Monitor a resident’s mood to ensure depression is not impacting liquid consumption.
  • Record the resident’s liquid consumption.
  • Provide sufficient number of staff to properly hydrate and monitor residents.
  • Continuously attend to residents who need assistance drinking.
  • Remain on watch for any signs of dehydration.
  • Encourage fluid intake during and in between meal times.
  • Notify a physician if a resident appears dehydrated.
  • Ensure that residents’ IV fluids are timely replaced.
  • Measure, record, and track residents’ water consumption.

Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Why You Need an Attorney

If you have reason to believe your loved one has suffered dehydration at his or her New Jersey or Pennsylvania nursing home (including Philadelphia), contact Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Brian P. Murphy who has handled a litany of dehydration cases that resulted from long-term care facility neglect. Pennsylvania and New Jersey laws have a limited amount of time to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit, so it’s best to act before it’s too late.

Brian P. Murphy, Nursing Home Malpractice Attorney

Bucks County attorney Brian Murphy | Exclusively Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect casesBrian P. Murphy is an experienced and well-regarded New Jersey and Pennsylvania nursing home abuse attorney. He has successfully represented many elderly nursing home residents subjected to abuse and neglect that results in dehydration. Mr. Murphy handles cases throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. If you see signs of nursing home abuse or neglect, take immediate action today. Contact nursing home abuse attorney, Brian P. Murphy, to discuss your potential legal matter.

This website is owned by Attorney Brian P. Murphy. Its purpose is to assist you in understanding your rights, especially when it comes to preventing or protecting yourself and/or your loved ones against nursing home abuse, neglect, bedsores, dehydration, and wrongful death. Legal matters are billed on a contingency fee basis.

Nothing on this website is to be construed as attorney advice or otherwise creating an attorney-client relationship. If you may be interested in establishing a relationship with The Law Firm of Brian P. Murphy, PC, please contact us to discuss your options.