If your loved one is being neglected in a nursing home, it’s important for you to look for the signs. They may not be as obvious as the signs would be in abuse cases. For instance, someone who is simply being neglected likely wouldn’t have the same symptoms as someone who suffered a physical assault or intentional harm.
Nonetheless, signs of neglect are there, and this neglect can certainly be just as damaging as abuse. It can lead to serious physical complications, emotional and mental concerns, and much more. Neglect could even have fatal consequences.
To look at just one way that this happens, consider the role that dehydration may play:
The challenge of staying hydrated
Anyone who works in a nursing home knows that it can be difficult to get the elderly residents to remain properly hydrated.
One reason for this is simply that they have mobility concerns, so they may not be able to get up and get a drink whenever they’re thirsty. Additionally, some of them could actively try to avoid drinking enough because these mobility issues also make it difficult to use the restroom on their own. Finally, the natural water level within the body gets lower as you age.
What this means is that allowing someone to become dehydrated could be very easy for a caregiver. If they simply deny them a few of the drinks they’re used to every day, they could already be walking dangerously close to that line.
If you see signs of dehydration, such as confusion, nausea, headaches, trouble sleeping and much more, make sure that you know about all the options you have. It may be time to take legal action.