Dehydration Is Hurting Senior Citizens

When it comes to nursing homes, there are no shortage of risks to look out for. The leading causes of death are as simple as falling and getting an infection. As the body ages, it has less resources to take care of what may have been more trivial issues earlier on. And there is no better example to display this issue than the example of hydration in nursing homes. 

Today 51% of nursing home residents can be considered dehydrated. Dehydration is something which leads to a host of issues, in individuals of any age. However specifically in the context of nursing homes, dehydration leads to more falls, longer recovery, and higher mortality rates. The issue is that hydration isn’t as simple as drinking water. The water coming in does not always equate to how hydrated ones cells actually become.

For a simple example, think about medication. Antidiabetics, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants all increase the risk of dehydration. There are countless conditions which affect the body’s ability to take in water effectively. And while it’s possible to get a blood test to understand a patient’s levels of dehydration and related issues, most people remain unaware.

This makes sense as, unfortunately, older populations have a lot to worry about in terms of health. It’s not feasible to address every concern, as the body has to maintain a balance. Treating diabetes may make other health issues arise, for instance. This is why infusions and intravenously delivered nutrients are becoming more popular. 

Specific nutrients are key in a body keeping up with infections, staying cognitively sharp, and keeping hydrated. These nutrients most commonly come from a good diet and things as simple as drinking water. Yet as has been discussed, there are lots of variables which can complicate this. Nutrition, not medication, offers the unique advantage of not working as a tradeoff. Adding more Vitamin C and B12 will only benefit someone with health issues. So while dehydration is a serious issue facing senior citizens, it’s not an issue without a solution.

Source: DriptIV.com

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