Assessing Fluid Intake For Older People

Older people are particularly vulnerable to dehydration because of age related changes in their physiology. Aging affects the thirst mechanism and so older people who are dehydrated do not experience thirst in the same way as younger people. Ageing also affects the ability of the kidney to concentrate urine so older people are less able to conserve fluid and become dehydrated more rapidly. However, signs such as loss of skin turgor are difficult to interpret because of age-related changes. Nursing home staff or caregivers have a vital role to play in ensuring that old people receive adequate fluids and that risk factors for dehydration are identified and acted upon. If an older person shows sign of dehydration, check the following: Is the older person drinking? He/she should have approximately eight cups of fluid a day. Does he/she have dysphagia (difficult swallowing) that require specialist of language and speech therapy team? Does he/she like the drinks being offered, and in appropriate temperature served and in appropriate cup? Is he/she confused and in need of supervision with eating and drinking