The institutionalized elderly: dry to the bone! Original Research Article

The fluid intake of 57 elderly male and female patients, drawn from psychogeriatric, long-term care and geriatric admission units, was monitored. The fluid intake was determined by direct observation and recording of fluids consumed by each subject over three 24-hour periods. In all cases, regardless of the unit, level of dependency, cognitive or continence status, elderly patients received considerably less fluid than the recommended daily intake of 2000–2500 ml. In the case of patients who were cognitively impaired, dependent and incontinent, fluid intake was less than patients who did not have these impediments. Forty-seven nurses, working on the three units, completed a self-administered questionnaire on the fluid needs of elderly patients. Generally, nursesʹ knowledge was inadequate in a number of areas such as the signs and complications of dehydration and the fluid requirements of the elderly. A study of this size does not permit general conclusions to be drawn. Nonetheless, if the results are indicative of current practice, nurses do not have a good knowledge of the fluid needs of the elderly, and the low level of fluid intake constitutes a form of neglect.