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Dehydration and the elderly
Why are the elderly at increased risk for dehydration?
- The elderly can dehydrate more quickly because their bodies have lower water content than younger people.
- Many symptoms of dehydration do not occur until significant fluid is lost.
- Dehydration among the elderly can be life-threatening because the symptoms of dehydration appear very quickly.
- Many elderly people do not feel thirsty when they are dehydrated. This is especially true in hot, humid weather, when they have a fever, are taking medications, or have vomiting and diarrhea.
- Dementia, depression, and motor impairments can make it difficult for the elderly to get fluids for themselves.
Normal Body Temperatures
Measurement Method
Normal Temperature Range
Mouth
35.5 º C to 37.5 º C (95.9 º F to 99.5 º F)
Armpit
34.7 º C to 37.3 º C ( 94.5 º F to 99.1 º F)
Ear
35.8 º C to 38 º C ( 96.4 º F to 100.4 º F)
What are the signs of dehydration in the elderly?
- Confusion.
- Poor skin elasticity. Test the skin on the forehead and over the breastbone by gently pulling up or pinching and releasing a skin fold. Normal skin should resume a flat shape immediately. If the skin remains elevated for 3 seconds or more, the person may be dehydrated.
- Skin that feels warm and moist.
- Urinating (peeing) less often and in smaller amounts.
- Dark coloured urine.
- Constipation.
- Sunken eyes.
- Feeling light-headed and dizzy when standing after sitting or lying down.
- Racing heart (beating too quickly).
- Dryness in the mouth and nose, or cracked lips.
- Dry tongue that has visible cracks.
Avoiding dehydration:
The best way to avoid dehydration is to drink plenty of clear fluids every day. The minimum required fluid intake is 1,500 millilitres (6.34 cups) per day. The elderly should sip on water often throughout the day.
References:
Illinois Council on Long-Term Care: Dehydration and the elderly (nd). Retrieved May 5, 2006, from http://www.nursinghome.org/fam/fam_018.html
University of California, Los Angeles: Nutrition Noteworthy: Dehydration of the Elderly in Nursing Homes (2001). Retrieved May 5, 2006, from http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1028&context=uclabiolchem/nutritionnoteworthy
University of Pennsylvania Health System: Skin turgor (2004). Retrieved May 8, 2006, from http://www.pennhealth.com/ency/article/003281.htm