We need to be really vigilant about making sure our loved ones are kept hydrated. It’s important because poor fluid intake can lead to confusion, infection and falls. Dehydration is a particular problem for the elderly because of weakened thirst sensations and difficulty in reaching drinks. A study by the University of East Anglia has found that care homes have to sharpen up their act when it comes to detecting dehydration. It says that methods like checking eyes, skin and blood pressure, can be faulty.
“We found that none of them were were able to accurately identify people with dehydration” according to Dr. Dianne Bunn, lead author of the report. “ We need an inexpensive easy-to do test for dehydration in older people.”