This nursing home abuse lawyer blog will post information regarding tip #7 for nursing home abuse and bedsore prevention. So far, we have had positive feedback from many nursing home patients and their families regarding these tips. We hope this nursing home abuse tip series has helped prevent bed sores or pressure ulcers in nursing home patients. As we always say, “Prevention is always the best medicine when it comes to preventing bed sores and pressure ulcers in nursing homes.”
Tip #7 for Preventing Bed Sores or Pressure Ulcers
The seventh tip that nursing home abuse lawyers offer as simple as it is important. Proper hydration can always help prevent bedsores and pressure ulcers for all nursing home patients. As people age, they tend to drink less fluids and become more susceptible to dehydration. This is especially true for nursing home patients who many times are dependent on nursing home staff to provide liquids. All nursing home staff members be properly trained to promote proper hydration for nursing home patients. Dehydration is a significant risk factor in developing pressure ulcers and bed sores.
Hydration: How Much and Why?
How much water should a nursing home patient drink each day? Unfortunately, there is no simple answer, as studies have shown different recommended amounts. However, these measures may help:
1. All nursing home patients should drink a glass of water with each meal and following each meal;
2. When a family member visits, they should get a glass of water for themselves and for their loved one and offer to share a “drink of water” together with the nursing home patient;
3. The nursing home staff should give all nursing home patients a glass of water first thing in the morning and the nursing home staff should encourage the nursing home patient to finish the glass before breakfast is served.
Hydration for a nursing home patient is a “team effort” by the nursing home staff and family. All family members should ensure that any nursing home patient has a printed schedule that identifies when the nursing home patient has last received water or some other fluid intake. Why? The greater the hydration the less likely the patient is to develop a bed sore or pressure ulcer. In addition, if a nursing home patient has already developed a pressure ulcer or bed sore, it is even more important to ensure proper hydration and fluid resuscitation in that patient. Why? Because, bed sore and pressure ulcer wound healing requires proper hydration to prevent the bed sore or pressure ulcer from getting worse. Nursing home abuse tip number 7 is very simple but effective. Families should insist that nursing home caretakers ensure that their loved one are receiving proper fluids so as to minimize the risk of pressure ulcers and bed sores.
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia
If your loved one have acquired bedsores or pressure ulcers in a nursing home or care facility, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-06020 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia. Let the nursing home abuse lawyers at the Mininno Law Office work to earn you full and fair compensation.