Chapter 19, Problem 10RQ

Summary Introduction

To list: Three or more strategies that could help to restore hydration and provide nutrients in older adults, knowing that dehydration condition might lead to confusion.

Introduction: Dehydration is a physiological state where cell fluid loss hinders metabolic processes and that happens because due to disruption of the adequate supply of water to cells, several organs, organ systems, and even the whole body. In older adults, the ability to conserve water reduces manifold due to the decrease in efficiency of the various organs, especially muscles and kidneys. Thus, the concerned people feel less thirsty, which in turn, automatically decreases the water quantity in the body for a certain time. Occasional malfunction of organs may lead to the falling in quality of conscious awareness, thereby leading to confusion. Dehydration is treatable and most known techniques include increasing fluid intake in the diet.