Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) June 27, 2014 -- Now that the warm months of summer are here, STOP EA (Elder Abuse) is launching a new campaign to remind those who have loved ones in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to make sure their elderly family members are staying hydrated.
Dehydration occurs when the body does not have enough water. The elderly population is more susceptible to dehydration, which can occur when a nursing home or assisted living facility is not providing proper care. Facility staff are required to carefully monitor fluid intake and to implement changes if a resident is not receiving adequate fluids.
“Unfortunately, facilities often fail to carry out the critical tasks that prevent dehydration with devastating results for their residents,” said Jay Renneisen, a STOP EA attorney. “Dehydration in the elderly is a form of neglect and can lead to severe, irreversible injury and death.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, the body of an elderly person has a more difficult time conserving water and their “thirst sense becomes less acute” and they’re “less able to respond to changes in temperature.”
“What's more, older adults, especially people in nursing homes or living alone, tend to eat less than younger people do and sometimes may forget to eat or drink altogether. Disability or neglect also may prevent them from being well nourished,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
Many facilities in California repeatedly receive state-issued deficiencies, which are often related to abuse and a quality of care issue, such as providing residents enough water to keep them healthy and prevent dehydration.
STOP EA encourages the public to use this information to protect family members and friends who may be in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Those who are concerned about the quality of care their loved ones may be receiving in one of these facilities can obtain a free, private case evaluation from STOP EA by calling 1-866-864-1800.
For more information on the STOP EA campaign, how to report elder abuse, identifying symptoms of neglect, and informational videos, visit stopea.org.
STOP EA Contact / Spokesperson: Jay Renneisen 1-866-864-1800.
Jay Renneisen, Stop EA, http://stopea.org, +1 916-442-6000, [email protected]
SOURCE Stop EA
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