title: Associations among fluid intake, cognitive function, and length of stay in psychogeriatric inpatients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine differences, interactions, and associations among cognition, fluid intake, and demographic variables that may affect length of stay (LOS) for psychogeriatric inpatients aged 65 years or older.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive, comparative, correlational secondary analysis of data from a primary study of 202 inpatients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Older adults with and without cognitive impairment had different fluid intake over time (F = 3.50; p = .03), but had no difference in LOS in relation to cognitive functioning (p = .23); additional factors may predict LOS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Care providers must monitor the fluid intake of elderly patients with and without cognitive impairment throughout their hospitalization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Winona State University-Rochester Center, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Barna
authors.forename: Roxanna M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Holper
authors.forename: Diane McNally
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Forsyth
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ellenbecker
authors.forename: Linda K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Clobes
authors.forename: Sonja J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Meiers
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Malone
authors.forename: Maria I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Lapid
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001628:Beverages; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
keywords: Cognition; Mini-Mental State Examination; dehydration; geriatric; length of stay