Dehydration Among Older Adults (NAPSA}—Maintaining adequate fluid balance is an essential compo- nent of health at every stageoflife, yet can become morechallenging as we grow older and more vulnerable to shifts in water balance that can result in dehydration. Whydoes hydration matter? In older adults, adequate fluid consumption has been associated with fewer falls, less constipation, better recoveries in orthopedic patients, reduced risk of bladder cancer in men and lower rates of fatal heart disease. Dehydration can lead to constipation, falls, adverse effects from medications, urinary tract and respiratory infections, delirium, renal failure, seizure, hypo- and hyperthermia. In older adults with other health problems, it can precipitate emergency or repeated For older adults, it’s essential to have consistent fluid intake throughout the day, especially because they should not con- sume large amounts of fluid at onetime. trolling their urine or memory problems that cause them to forget to drink. “If nurses don’t ensure older adults have an adequate fluid intake, we have seriously failed hospitalizations and increased mortality rates among older adults. Who’s At Risk? e Age and ethnicity. From 1990 to 2000, hospitalizations for dehydration in older adults increased by 40 percent. Adults ages 85 years and older were three times more likely to have a diagnosis of dehydration than younger adults. Among older adults who maintain hydration, physical or emotional illness, surgery, trauma or higher physiologic demands maystill increase the risk. Older black adults have higher prevalence rates of dehydration at the time of hospitalization than do older white adults. Certain psychiatric medications can cause dryness of the mouth, constipation, or urinary APRN, BC, assistant professor at the University of California Los Angeles School of Nursing, the following tips should be practiced for preventing dehydration: Identify and treat correctable causes of dehydration such as vomiting and diarrhea. Observe the color of the hydration status. e A person’s level of physical dependency and cognitive impair- can be a sign of dehydration. e Provide glasses and cups that are not too large or heavy to retention that can aggravate ment can cause a person to be unableor forget to drink. e Nursing homes. According to an article in the June issue of the American Journal of Nursing, nursing home residents have habits that might put them at risk, such as those who “will not drink” due to concerns about con- them,” said Diana Mason, RN, Ph.D., FAAN,editor-in-chief, Amer- ican Journal of Nursing. “For older adults, it’s essential to have consis- tent fluid intake throughout the day, especially because they should not consume large amountsof fluid at one time.” As reported in a study conducted by Janet Mentes, Ph.D., urine: Dark, concentrated urine handle, and have straws available at the bedside. During hot weather, be especially attentive to replacing excessive lost fluid. If you have an older family memberor friend in a hospital, nursing home or other facility, makesure water is within reach.
