Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Low Fluid Intake in Institutionalized Older Residents

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of low fluid intake in institutionalized older residents and the associated factors.

Design

This was a cross-sectional study.

Setting and Participants

The study was carried out at a nursing home with a capacity for 156 residents, all of whom were older than 65 years.

Measures

Data were collected on the fluids consumed by each resident over a period of 1 week. Information relating to sociodemographic variables and to residents' health, nutrition, and hydration status was also collected.

Results

Of 53 residents, 34% ingested less than 1500 mL/d. The factors with the greatest correlation associated with low fluid intake were cognitive and functional impairment, the risk of suffering pressure ulcers, being undernourished, a texture-modified diet, dysphagia, impaired swallowing safety, and BUN:creatinine ratio.

Conclusions/Implications

The results obtained highlight the scale of low fluid intake in nursing homes and also aid to identify and understand the factors associated with this problem. The findings could help us to develop specific strategies to promote the intake of liquids and thereby reduce the incidence of dehydration in nursing homes.