Guidance recommends that adults aged 51+ drink at least 1.5 to 2.5 litres (2.5 – 4 pints) a day including at least 4 glasses of water.
It is estimated that many older people do not drink anywhere near this amount. Adverse effects of dehydration include: dizziness, headaches, constipation, confusion, increased risk of urinary tract infections, poor skin tissue viability and healing, low blood pressure or Postural Hypotension which may lead to falls.
The aims of the project were:
- to support and encourage older people to increase their fluid intake. Improving hydration in older people would improve their general health and reduce the risk of falls.
- to raise awareness of the health benefits of drinking more fluids especially water.
- to work with Age UK Solihull to raise awareness and assess the benefits of improved hydration.
Outcomes
- All targeted groups reported an increase in the amount of water they drank and a reduction in caffeinated drinks.
- One group reported an increase in the amount of water they drank: 67% had reduced the amount of caffeinated drinks consumed.
- In another group 69% were drinking more water: 45% had increased by two glasses of water a day and 22% had increased by up to four glasses a day.
- Other groups reported other health benefits e.g. sleeping better, better appetite, less constipated and smoother, clearer skin, ‘clearer head’, more energy and feeling less tired.
Resources
- ‘Water for wellbeing’ information booklet
- Water bottle
- Bookmark containing different yellow colour bands tool to check urine concentration as an indicator of hydration status
- Water for Wellbeing poster
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