The elderly go to nursing homes to make sure they are able to live out the rest of their lives in comfort and care and in good health. However, there is a huge problem with elders not being properly hydrated by their caretakers. Over 50% of nursing home residents are dehydrated; the majority falling in this category are already suffering from weight loss, wounds, and infection, which makes them more susceptible. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that a lot of the elderly in these homes are taking medication that make it hard for them to retain fluid, such as anti-depressants and anti-diabetes.
Many of these patients have limited cognitive ability in their old age, so they struggle to recognize the signs of dehydration and properly flag it to their caretakers. However, doing so can be detrimental to their health. Fixing dehydration in nursing homes can increase the risk of falls, lead to prolonged recovery from surgeries, longer hospital stays, and even higher mortality rates. It can also lead to mood changes and fatigue, leading to an overall uncomfortable experience for the patient that is suffering. IV micronutrient treatments are currently one of the best methods to hydrate the elderly, and should be implemented in nursing homes to keep the patients hydrated.
Source: DriptIV.com
