Arizona Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing Home Abuse Blog

Contact Arizona Elder Abuse Lawyers

Proudly Serving

Coconino County

Maricopa County

Malnutrition / Dehydration

Malnutrition and dehydration are critical problems for elderly nursing home residents in Arizona and throughout the U.S. because they often have a variety of age-related limitations that can contribute to reduction in food intake.

Elderly nursing home patients suffering from malnutrition, or under-nutrition, often experience diminishing immunity from infections, loss of mobility and decreased muscle strength, which can result in pressure sores and falls. Malnutrition can also lead to organ failure and, ultimately, wrongful death.

Our Nursing Home Abuse law firm has extensive experience with nursing home negligence cases. Attorney James Morgan has specialized in Arizona nursing home abuse for a number of years. In such cases, he will carefully research the nursing home’s history of violations of both federal and state law to determine any pattern of neglect by the facility. He will also explore any possible staffing and training deficiencies, which are often a main cause of nursing home injuries.

Signs of Malnutrition and Dehydration

·         Clothing fits loosely
·         Cracks around the mouth
·         Pale lips and mouth
·         Dentures no longer fit
·         Hair growing more sparse or thinning
·         Wounds take longer to heal
·         Unusual confusion
·         Breakdown of the skin
·         Sunken eyes
·         Weight loss

Arizona Elder Abuse Attorneys

A number of factors can lead to malnutrition and dehydration in a long-term care or nursing home facility. Inhibitors to proper nutrition for elderly nursing home residents can include frequent illnesses that cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, swallowing or dental problems in the patient, isolation and depression and intentional food restriction by patients who fear incontinence or choking.

Contributing environmental factors can include:

·         adverse drug events that cause stomach upset, confusion and drowsiness
·         food or drug interactions that interfere with the body’s absorption of nutrients
·         level of dependency on feeding assistance
·         poor positioning during mealtime
·         not keeping water accessible at all times
·         under qualified staff and insufficient assistance from staff for residents who need help eating
·         special or monotonous diets

Understaffing has been noted as a prime contributor to malnutrition and dehydration in nursing homes. Studies indicate that understaffed facilities have stricter schedules that don't allow sufficient time for feeding residents or ensuring residents have water available to them at all times.

In 2006, a study conducted at the University of Arizona, College of Nursing, assessed 80 nursing residents from two, for profit, nursing homes in southwest Arizona. Of the participants, 33% had nutritional test results indicating malnutrition.

When Arizona families must turn to a nursing home facility to provide care for a loved one, they expect that their loved one will receive sufficient nutrition; one of life’s most basic necessities. If you suspect someone you care about is suffering from malnutrition or has died as a result of malnutrition in an Arizona nursing home or long-term facility, contact Arizona nursing home abuse attorney James Morgan at the Law Firm of Young & Wallin for a free consultation.

Our qualified team of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect lawyers is dedicated to pursuing justice for those injured by nursing home negligence, abuse and medical misconduct and are committed to helping prevent nursing home abuse and neglect by diligently defending the rights of elders.

Video Center

Instant Callback

Young & Wallin achieved an excellent result. My father died due to neglect at a nursing home. Initially my family was apprehensive about pursuing it and we waited for over a year before contacting the law office. The facility kept stalling us with stories about an investigation, but never admitted any fault. In less than six months, I received compensation for the suffering and death of my father, and I am very happy with the results they achieved for my family.

C.D.

My husband suffered a stroke out of state and was transferred to a local rehabilitation facility. He was only in facility for nine days and suffered neglect and injury from falls and the failure to provide the care that they promised us. After contacting Young & Wallin, the facility immediately recognized their failure and agreed to compensate my husband for his suffering and injuries that he received. We did not expect much, but Young & Wallin got a great result for us. The staff and lawyers were very helpful and understanding throughout this process.

Young & Wallin is a great team to have on your side. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. They were always available when I had questions and are ready to help. I am very happy with the outcome that they obtained for our family.

L.L.

I was referred to Young & Wallin and they were very helpful in repairing my case. Another lawyer initiated my case but I felt that he was not providing me with good representation. Mr. Young obtained my case and got me an excellent outcome. The recovery I received was very fair.

I.G.

Young & Wallin are a great team and are very knowledgeable and helpful. They allowed me to have great input on my case and allowed me to be very involved with the process. The nursing home abuse lawyers took time for my questions and always had good advice and counsel for me. They made the whole process less stressful and it seemed manageable.

H.D.

Nursing Home Abuse Legal Associations

Arizona Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys
Contact Arizona Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Today
Site Map

The information on this Arizona Nursing Home Abuse Attorney / Law Firm website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

Phone: (877) 826-7900
Administration