Thirty six million Americans (12.3% of the population) are over the age of 65. Collectively they make 225 million physicians' office visits per annum (25.3% of the total). Among them, chronic dehydration is a very common condition. An estimated 7% of community-dwelling seniors are chronically dehydrated and some studies have suggested that the true number may be as high as 28%. Further studies have shown that approximately a third of the 3 Million elderly Americans that reside in Skilled Nursing Facilities each year suffer from dehydration during their stay.
The elderly are particularly susceptible to dehydration because the physiological mechanisms that control the thirst reflex become less sensitive with age. Furthermore, as the human body ages, a lower percentage of body weight is water (an elderly person weighing 150 pounds has about seven liters less water than a young person of the same weight), which accelerates the onset of a state of dehydration. The risk is compounded by issues common among the elderly, such as lack of mobility, fear of incontinence, the prevalence of co-morbidies (such as urinary tract infections that make voiding painful and therefore discourage intake), diminished cognition associated with disorders such as Alzheimer's or dementia, and the widespread use of medications with diuretic effects or side-effects. Not only is untreated dehydration associated with increased mortality, it is also known to trigger complicating medical conditions that include chronic constipation, pneumonia, low blood pressure (often the cause of dizziness and falls), kidney stone formation, kidney failure, uncontrolled diabetes, gastroenteritis and some forms of cancer. Dehydration also increases susceptibility to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, a particular concern for the elderly during periods of abnormally warm weather.
Dehydration in the elderly is preventable. There is a tremendous opportunity to improve health outcomes and reduce costs across the health care system if elderly individuals susceptible to dehydration can be easily and conveniently assessed and given prompt, appropriate care at the point of need.
Further Reading
- Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration
- The Importance of Water
- Elderly Dehydration
- Detecting Dehydration & Malnutrition in the Elderly
- Water the Elderly
- Signs of Dehydration in the Elderly
- Preventing Dehydration in the Elderly
- Europe Recalls Lethal 2003 Heat Wave
- Lessons Learned from the European Heat Wave of 2003
- How to Stay Cool During a Heatwave and Avoid Dehydration