Multiple residents of the Manorcare of Libertyville nursing home in Libertyville, Illinois were discovered to be suffering from severe dehydration. One of the residents required hospitalization for treatment. Two other residents showed symptoms of dehydration but were treated at the facility.
The most serious case involved a man who was admitted to the hospital after suffering from a cardiovascular incident (most likely a stroke or a heart attack). As a result of the incident, he was left with difficulty speaking and swallowing.
After just 10 days in the facility, the man was admitted to the hospital emergency room. He was down almost 5 liters of water! That’s an extraordinary amount.
Dehydration is relatively easy to treat, even if the person suffering with the condition is unable to swallow. Unlike an inability to ingest food, liquids can be administered through an IV drip. There was no evidence that the nursing home took any actions to correct his condition before he entered the hospital.
The hospital determined that he had acquired severe malnutrition and acute renal failure as a result of the dehydration.
Dehydration is one of the most dangerous kinds of nursing home neglect because it can be so difficult to detect, and the long term ramifications of dehydration are so varied. Dehydration and malnutrition can easily lead to muscle wasting, tooth loss, nursing home falls, and infection and disease.
If you have a loved one in an Illinois nursing home, there are signs to look for if you suspect dehydration. Swollen or inflamed eyelids, weight loss, fatigue and sores or swelling of the mouth are some of the lesser known signs.
At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, we have the experience and expertise to manage all aspects of your nursing home dehydration or malnutrition case. Contact my law offices as soon as possible to schedule your free and confidential case evaluation.