Health Promotion: Hydration in Older People

Dehydration is a concern in older people due to the potential adverse effects on function and clinical outcome. Common complications include constipation, pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, and dizziness leading to falls and fractures. Most cases of dehydration in older people are caused by prolonged inadequate oral fluid intake.

Hydration in older people is a complex problem for several reasons. Physiological age-related changes in the body systems will naturally leave an older person more susceptible to dehydration (e.g. reduced thirst mechanism; reduced kidney function). It is not uncommon for individuals to suffer with health issues or to take medications which restrict the ability or desire to drink fluids. There may be social and psychological components which can reduce motivation to drink through loneliness or fear over frequency and continence issues. Finally, some older people will find it physically difficult to get (e.g. mobility issues affecting ability to make and get drinks; dexterity issues affecting ability to pick up drinks and cups). 

Hydration resource for older people, their family, friends, and carers

Wessex AHSN have a new leaflet entitled 'Staying hydrated as we get older: Advice and guidance for people over 65, their family, friends and carers'. It is available to be downloaded from the 'resources' section on the website. Hydration at Home (wessexahsn.org.uk)

It it available in two different formats (same content):

• Tri-fold leaflet - please print it double-sided (flip on the short edge), and fold into a trifold leaflet
• A4 version, with larger font size and less colour to facilitate black and white printing, and support people with visual impairment

There is also a hydration 'top tips' poster.

• Top Tips Poster

There are many aids to help improve someone’s hydration, including the Drinks Diary, ROC (reliance of a carer) to drink tool, coloured coasters and the Droplet smart hydration system

E-learning is available: Hydration in Older People - elearning for healthcare (e-lfh.org.uk)