MOST COMMON TREATMENTS:
1. Increasing Fluid Intake
2. Clear fluids, water, clear
-
broths, frozen water/ice pops,
sports drinks
3. Avoid Caffeine
-
INTERVENTIONS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Hydration management
involves both acute
and ongoing management of
oral intake
Oral rehydration therapy is
the first treatment approach
Calculate daily fluid goal
Compare current intake to
fluid goal to
evaluate hydration status
Plan for at risk individuals
-
Serum osmolarity
reading >300 mOsmol/L
Elevated BUN (can also
be elevated from other
may other causes. Not
always accurate)
Urine color and
osmolarity should not be
used to determine
dehydration in the
elderly because they are
no specific enough
Changes in urine pattern
and color should be
noted
DEHYDRATION
IN ELDERLY
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO!
1.
Plan to drink at least a cup of
fluid SHOULD
every 1-2 hours
WHAT
YOU DO!
2.
1.
3.
2.
4.
3.
Drink a total of 8-12 cups per
day
Plan to drink at least a cup of
Keep
water1-2
bottle
throughout
fluid every
hours
the
day
Drink a total of 8-12 cups per
Avoid
day alcohol and caffeine
Keep water bottle throughout
the day
NISA HASKELL, STEPHANIE MARTIN,
VALERIE MURPHY, ASMA NAIMI
Age Related Changes
That Affect Hydration
Thirst sensation diminishes
Loss of muscle mass in
proportion to fat cells. (Fat cells have
less water than muscle cells.)
-
Total body water decreases
Kidneys can’t concentrate urine
-
In the elderly dehydration is
commonly associated with other
underlying diseases. (Ex. Diabetes,
heart conditions, respiratory
diseases)
Studies show 1/2 of long-term care
patients are dehydrated
as well
-
Signs and Symptoms of
Dehydration
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Dry mucous membranes in
mouth & nose
Speech incoherence
Rapid pulse
Sunken eyes
Extremity weakness
Decrease in skin turgor - not
always reliable in the elderly for
checking dehydration because of
the thinning and decrease in
elasticity of skin
Difficulties with communicating
needs and wants, immobility, and
decreased appetites contribute to
dehydration in long term care
facilities
Risk Factors for Dehydration in Elders
1. Use of more medications
2. Delirium
3. Thromboembolic complications
4. Infections
5. Kidney stones
6. Constipation
7. Falls
8. Renal failure
9. Seizures
Dehydration
-
Dehydration – A condition
caused by loss of too much fluid
from the body.
-
Occurs when you lose more
fluids than you are taking in, and
your body does not have enough
fluids to work properly.
Types of Dehydration
1. Water-loss
 Results from insufficient
fluid intake which leads to
elevation of serum
osmolarity and drop in
extracellular fluid volume
2. Volume depletion
 Salt loss
 Occurs from excess fluid
loss (diarrhea/vomiting)
 Serum osmolarity –
stable or decreases slightly
10. Delayed wound healing