Nutrition Noteworthy

Research findings show that the elderly in nursing homes are receiving inadequate amounts of fluid intake to sustain health and prevent dehydration. Research reveals that a great percentage of the nursing home residents are not receiving the minimum fluid intake requirement of 1,500 mL/day. Given that this population is predisposed to dehydration as a result of aging, inadequate fluid intake places the elderly at greater risk for dehydration and even death. Examining dehydration in the elderly not only forces investigators to examine the health of the nursing home population, but also the quality of care that is received.