Liquid intake in elderly people

• Autores: Beatriz Gómez-Escalonilla Lorenzo, Soledad Gómez-Escalonilla Lorenzo
• Localización: Nutrición hospitalaria: Órgano oficial de la Sociedad Española de Nutrición Clínica y Metabolismo (SENPE), ISSN-e 1699-5198, ISSN 0212-1611, Vol. 32, Nº. Extra 2 (Diciembre 2015), 2015 (Ejemplar dedicado a: II INTERNATIONAL AND IV SPANISH HYDRATION CONGRESS), págs. 31-32
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Introduction: The adequate intake of liquid has been established to prevent several disorders. Elderly people are a vulnerable group. The recommended intake should not be less than 1600 ml/day.

    Objective: To identify the amount of liquid that elderly people require, in our basic health area; To evaluate their knowledge about recommended liquid intake and its benefits.

    Method: Descriptive observational study conducted at Health Center (Torrijos). 121 subjects aged 65 years and older were selected by accidental non-probabilistic sampling between June-August 2015. The data was obtained by personal interview. We analyzed variables such as age, sex, weight, Barthel dependency score, daily liquid intake, knowledge about recommended liquid intake and its benefits.

    Results: The mean age was 75.8; 53.7% were women. 57.1% of men had an adequate liquid intake. 66.1% of women had a liquid intake of less than 1,600 ml/day. No statistic relation between the Barthel dependency score and liquid intake. Significant relation between a higher level of knowledge of recommended liquid intake and an adequate liquid consumption in men (p=0.0004).

    Conclusions: This study shows that there is a significant percentage of our elderly people with inadequate liquid intake. Increasing knowledge of people has a positive impact on achieving an adequate intake. Nursing consultations should pay attention to liquid intake of older people as a fundamental part to accomplish proper nutrition.