title: The institutionalized elderly: dry to the bone!
abstract: 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, nurses' 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.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Armstrong-Esther
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Armstrong-Esther
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sander
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing; D004326:Drinking; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control