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Nutrition and Hydration Week is an annual event with a shared objective to highlight, promote and celebrate improvements in the provision of nutrition and hydration locally, nationally and globally.

Partnered with Henley Bridge, our latest care home sector guide, Turning Over a New Leaf in Care Home Catering, touches on the importance of good hydration in care homes and hospitals. With a shared passion for supporting the care industry, ourselves and Henley Bridge are proud to provide nutritional support and recipe inspiration for this sector.

Let’s Talk About Good Hydration

Being well-nourished and well-hydrated is a core component of maintaining good health but, while there is a growing emphasis on improving nutritional care, hydration can still be overlooked. In fact, research shows that patients admitted to hospital from care homes are commonly dehydrated.

Older people are vulnerable to dehydration due to physiological changes in the aging process, such as reduced sensation of thirst, which can be more pronounced in those with Alzheimer’s disease or in those who’ve suffered a stroke. If mild dehydration is left uncorrected, the effects can be serious and rapid, with common consequences including confusion, falls, pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections.

People with dementia may become dehydrated if they are unable to communicate or recognise that they are thirsty, or if they forget to drink. This can lead to headaches, increased confusion, urinary tract infections and constipation. These can make symptoms of dementia worse.

Common risk factors of poor hydration:

Residing in long-term care

Requiring assistance with foods and fluids

Incontinence

Cognitive impairment / confusion

Impaired functional status and assistance required for feeding

Depression

Multiple medications, particularly diuretics

Decreased thirst

Acute illness, diarrhoea and vomiting
 
Tips for improving hydration:

Determine an individualised daily fluid intake goal

Provide preferred fluids

Have fluids available at all times

Make sure water is fresh and looks palatable by adding a few slice of lemon, orange or ice cubes

Offer fluids regularly throughout the day

Offer fluids at routine events such as before physiotherapy or medication rounds

Offer a variety of hot and cold fluids

Provide assistance if required

Provide aids for drinking if needed such as adapted cups

Offer at least a full glass of fluids with medication

Drinking Enough

The sensation of thirst changes as people get older, which can sometimes mean the person isn’t aware they’re thirsty. A person with dementia may also have similar problems. They may be less able to provide drinks for themselves. The person should be encouraged to drink throughout the day. The recommended amount is 1.5 – 2 litres per day.

Just placing a drink in front of someone doesn’t mean they will drink it. Also an empty cup doesn’t always mean that the person has drunk its contents. It may have been spilled, been drunk by someone else or poured away.

Have a drink on hand whenever the person is eating something

Use a clear glass so the person can see what’s inside, or a brightly coloured cup to draw attention

If possible, offer the person the cup or put in their line of sight

Foods that are high in fluid can help, eg gravy, jelly and ice cream

Describe what the drink is and where it is, so that if the person has a problem with their sight they are still able to find the drink

Offer different types of drink (both hot and cold) throughout the day such as soup, water, fruit juice and tea. All fluids count

Make sure the cup or glass is suitable – not too heavy or a difficult shape

To discover more valuable advice click here to download your FREE copy of ‘Turning over a new leaf in care home catering’.

To learn more about Nutrition and Hydration Week click here to visit their official website.