Importance of Hydration

By Amanda Maestas, RDN

With the summer heat among us, it is a great reminder to stay hydrated, especially for residents in our communities. Did you know that dehydration is the most common fluid and electrolyte disorder among older nursing facility residents? Research shows that only 1 in 40 older residents consume the adequate amount of fluid everyday.

Dehydration has many factors involved but knowing the risks can help reduce the frequency of dehydration and potential hospitalizations for residents. Some risks associated with dehydration include: 

•  Change in mental status, Dementia or cognitive impairment 

•  History of urinary tract infections

•  Diuretic or laxative use 

•  Dependency on assistance with meals/fluids

•  Fever/excess sweat 

•  Difficulty chewing/swallowing

•  Wounds/pressure injuries 

•  Lethargy and/or confusion

•  Renal dialysis

•  Medical drains with fluid output

•  GI symptoms such as GI bleeds, nausea, emesis and loose stools

It is recommended to stay proactive and have a hydration policy in place per facility. Encouraging fluids in different forms and getting creative with fluid intake can make a positive impact in each community. With the prevalence of dehydration being so high, how can we encourage residents to stay hydrated? Here are some ideas to promote hydration in your community. 

Hydration can be Fun! 

• Offer popsicles, apple sauce, yogurt or fresh fruit salads with meals, as snack options or during resident activities

• Add infused water options for your community (water pitchers with added cucumber, fruit or lemon for flavored water)

• Use fun colorful or bendy straws to promote intake 

• Set up an ice cream or shaved ice resident social with sugar free options available

• Announce Hydration breaks in your community where team members offer fluids periodically to encourage and remind residents to drink!

• Encourage all employees that interact with residents to encourage fluids as tolerated

Recipe

Blueberry, Lemon and Rosemary Infused Water

Makes 12 servings, ~10 ounces each

Ingredients: 

-2 cup of blueberries

(fresh or frozen, can be substituted with other types of fruit) 

-3 lemons, sliced (~9 Tbsp of lemon juice) 

-12 sprigs of rosemary (fresh)

-15 cups of water

Directions:

Mix ingredients and chill. Water containing infused ingredients can be stored for 24 hours. If ingredients are strained and removed, infused water can be stored for 3 days or per facility policy. 

References: 1. Nutrition Care of the Older Adult: A Handbook of Nutrition throughout the Continuum of Care, Third Edition, 2016, Kathlerrn Neidert, PhD, RD, CSG, LD, FADA