While we all need extra hydration when the weather heats up, the need is more acute in elderly patients. Being well-hydrated enhances health and mental performance and reduces the risk of adverse conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Older patients are at particular risk for dehydration. Chronic conditions and normal age-related changes in kidney function can impact the body’s capacity to retain water. Diabetes, kidney disease, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common conditions that affect fluid balance either due to decreased renal function or the use of medications like diuretics.
In addition to frequent UTIs, dehydration is also linked to cognitive decline and increased risk of falls, all of which may lead to hospitalization. Drinking an appropriate amount of water can help to flush bacteria from the urinary tract, prevent infection, and improve cognitive function. Facilities that implemented hydration programs have seen UTIs fall by more than a third, along with decreases in hospital admissions and antibiotic use. One study, published by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, showed a 30% reduction in hospitalizations among older patients who received hydration management.
Programs like the “Drink Up” program at nursing homes have produced positive results. Through this program, nursing home staff performed regular fluid rounds, offering drinks to residents. As a result, they noticed a 25% decrease in dehydration hospitalizations and a 20% reduction in UTIs. Other strategies that have been used successfully include apps that monitor hydration and send reminders to drink water. A study published in The Gerontologist indicated a 40% decline in dehydration hospitalization among adults using these apps.
Healthcare providers can play an important role in preventing dehydration. They can:
- educate patients and families about the symptoms of dehydration
- advise patients to drink alcohol-free, sugar-free and zero-caffeine beverages
- provide liquids around the clock and every time medication is dispensed
- include frequency of reminders and preferred types of drinks in individual care plans
Offer your patients cold, refreshing water during this warm summer, and remember to pour a glass of water for yourself throughout the day!
Sources:
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. (Study on hydration monitoring and interventions). https://www.jamda.com/article/S1525-8610(21)00387-2/fulltext
The Gerontologist. (Study on mobile apps for hydration monitoring). https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/59/6/1047/5610304
United Kingdom hospital hydration initiative. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng29/resources/maintaining-hydration-to-reduce-delirium-in-hospitals-pdf-6728572310