As we age, it can get harder to get the hydration we need by just drinking water. In fact, more than 50% of nursing home residents can be considered dehydrated. Our bodies need electrolytes (vitamins and minerals) from the water we drink and the food we eat, but some people have trouble getting these electrolytes efficiently every day. Dehydration can happen when you drink even just 5% less water, leading to the dehydration cascade where water moves from your vital organs to the bloodstream to balance the fluids within your body, which could lead to changes in mood, energy levels, and cognitive capabilities. In the worst case scenario, it could also lead to increased risks to your health.
The dehydration cascade seriously affects nursing homes due to the high numbers of nursing home patients in the hydration gap. These individuals have a higher chance of getting injuries that require medical attention and long stays at the hospital, which could affect their mortality rate. Nursing home patients are also more likely to take medications for other health conditions that make dehydration worse by lowering fluid levels in the body or already have blood conditions that make the effects of dehydration even worse. One can determine if they or a loved one is dehydrated by paying attention to cognitive decline, waning thirst signals, greater salt loss, and the need for larger amounts of water to flush out the kidneys as these are signs of dehydration.
Many clinicians are working on evidence-based solutions to the dehydration in nursing homes problem with one of them being micronutrient supplementation, which supplies the body with the micronutrients it needs to fight dehydration, rebalance the fluids inside the body, and create a better threshold for oral hydration. Micronutrient supplementation with the right infusion of vitamins and minerals can help many stay properly hydrated without the need for multiple medications.
Source: DriptIV.com