Summers in Kentucky can be hot. While this can be uncomfortable and inconvenient for healthy adults, it can be a health hazard and an extreme danger for senior citizens and nursing home residents. In fact, each time a heat wave rolls though our state, older residents are in danger of suffering harm and even death due to the temperature.
Nursing homes have a responsibility to take reasonable protections against the heat in summer months—and Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing homes are required to provide residents with safe temperatures and well-ventilated rooms. If your loved one has suffered from a heat-related injury or death in a nursing home, you may wish to speak with an attorney about your possible nursing home neglect case.
What nursing homes should do in hot weather
What should nursing homes do to protect their residents against the heat? Seniors should be in air-conditioned rooms, or, barring that, rooms should have open windows and cross ventilation. Residents should be kept well-hydrated and cool in all reasonable ways, such as with fans and cool baths.
Most importantly, nursing homes should be on high alert for heat-related illness, such as dehydration and heat stroke. Employees should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of these health issues and respond in a timely member if they see a resident suffering.
The signs and symptoms of heat stroke
Heat stroke kills dozens of seniors each year across the country during the summer months and severely injures hundreds more, leaving them with brain damage or other damaged organs. In all cases, heat stroke is preventable! Signs of heat stroke may include:
- A high core body temperature
- A lack of sweat despite the heat
- Rapid heartbeat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Difficulty breathing
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Light headedness
Has Your Loved One Been Injured In A Nursing Home?
If you believe your loved one is being subjected to nursing home abuse you need to speak with an experienced Kentucky nursing home neglect attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our office directly at 888.450.4456 to schedule a free consultation.