I often blog about the elderly, but more often than not it is in relation to dementia, and although there is a dementia aspect to this piece, it is more about the issue of the elderly, particularly those in care homes not receiving enough hydration. So, this week’s #TOTW is:
Dr Lee Hooper of Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia (UEA), delivered the results of her research to a conference of the Royal Society of Medicine. She stated amongst other things that, “Being dehydrated could cause confusion as well as an increased risk of heart disease, infection and falls and research had shown that the level of anxiety among residents in a care home could fall enormously if they are getting enough fluid.”
Caroline Abrahams of Age UK stated, “Both hospitals and care homes must get better at picking up on the warning signs of dehydration and at ensuring that while older people are in their care they get all the help they need to eat and drink.”
Surely in this day and age to allow this to happen, if as a result of poor care, is simply unacceptable and should not be allowed to happen. Everything that can be done, should be done to ensure those at risk of dehydration are monitored and given the help they need to keep hydrated.
It’s not exactly rocket science is it!?
Please take a look at the link and learn more about this problem.