Arizona Disability Advocates for Dehydration in Group Homes
In Arizona, proper hydration is always a concern. In our hot desert climate, people can easily become dehydrated, which can cause a host of physical problems and even, in some cases, death. For group home residents, their physical or developmental disabilities may prevent them from properly hydrating themselves on their own, so they rely on staff members to assist them in preventing dehydration. However, if group home staff members are negligent, it may cause dehydration and lead to illness, pain and suffering, and even death in the group home residents.
Dehydration is unfortunately a frequent problem among group home residents, but it is one that is preventable if the group home staff members are following the resident’s Individual Support Plan and making sure all needs are being met. Every resident has specific needs, and staff members and administrators should be aware of those needs and implement a plan to meet them and ensure that problems such as dehydration never occur.
If you have a loved one who is a resident of a group home in Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa or elsewhere in Maricopa County and you believe they may have suffered from dehydration caused by the negligence of the group home or its staff members, you should contact an Arizona group home abuse attorney in order to discuss your case. An Arizona group home lawyer can help your loved one receive compensation for medical bills incurred by their dehydration, as well as the pain and suffering it caused. They can also help to expose negligent group home practices and prevent similar neglect from happening to other group home residents in the future.
Causes of Dehydration
Up to 75% of a person’s body weight is made up of water, which is present in cells and blood vessels throughout the body. The body loses water frequently through breathing, urination, bowel movements, and sweat. Dehydration occurs when the body does not take in enough water to replace the water that is lost. For group home residents, dehydration is frequently caused by not having enough access to water or not having assistance in drinking, if they require it. In addition, dehydration may be caused by the following factors:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Diabetes
- Sweating
- Burns
- Inability to drink fluids
If a group home resident has any of the above conditions, staff members should be aware of it and should take extra steps to ensure that dehydration does not occur.
Symptoms of Dehydration
If your loved one is in a group home, you should be on the lookout for symptoms of dehydration. These include:
- Dry mouth
- Infrequent urination
- Dark urine
- Muscle cramps
- Disorientation
- Lightheadedness
- Inelastic skin
Contact an Arizona Group Home Abuse Lawyer
If your child or other loved one is a resident of a group home in Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale or elsewhere in Maricopa County, and they are suffering from dehydration, the group home administration may be guilty of negligence. After making sure that your loved one receives medical attention, you should consult with an Arizona group home abuse lawyer to discuss your case. For more information, please visit http://www.grouphomeabuselawyer.com/
