When you make the decision to place a loved one into an elder care facility such as a nursing or group home, you trust that the staff and facilities are the best possible options for your loved one. Sadly, abuse and neglect in nursing homes is common—approximately 95 percent of seniors in elder care in the U.S. have either witnessed or been a victim of nursing home abuse. It is imperative you check in with your loved one in residence as often as possible to ensure they aren’t being mistreated, a task which shouldn’t be necessary.
At Bostic Law Group, P.A., we have zero tolerance for cases of nursing home malnutrition and dehydration. If your loved one isn’t being treated properly, we want to help. Our team of Charleston nursing home malnutrition attorneys is prepared to fight for you and your loved one to help you receive the justice and compensation you deserve for your losses.
Call our Charleston nursing home malnutrition attorneys today at (843) 350-9646 or contact us online. We’ll work with you to figure out what is best for your loved one and their family.
CAUSES OF MALNUTRITION & DEHYDRATION
Under South Carolina standards of care guidelines, nursing homes are required to offer a menu that provides the proper nutrition and hydration to meet a resident’s needs. Many residents require more restricted diets, which makes the task of providing the proper nutrition more challenging. However, the nursing home should be able to accommodate such requests. If your loved one’s dietary restrictions are ignored or misunderstood, they may suffer from malnutrition or dehydration.
Common causes of malnutrition and dehydration include:
- Failure to adhere to the resident’s diet restrictions
- Failure to administer IV feedings when required
- Failure to offer the required number of meals throughout the day
- Failure to supervise residents who refuse to take meals
- Failure to supplement meals with necessary vitamins
- Providing a menu that does not offer the required vitamins and nutrition
Signs include the resident experiencing extreme fatigue or fainting, which could signal dehydration, as well as significant, unexplained weight loss.
HOW WE CAN HELP
If your loved one has been affected by malnutrition or dehydration, they must be taken care of as soon as possible. Our staff can help you figure out what your next steps are. We will also conduct a detailed investigation of the nursing home’s nutrition programs to determine the cause behind your loved one’s malnutrition. Any evidence we find linking the cause of your loved one’s condition to negligence on the part of the nursing home will then be used to create a case for compensation.
Don’t hesitate to get your loved one the care and justice they deserve—we’re here to help. Contact us anytime to set up your legal, no obligation consultation.
