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A review of the literature on how important water is to the world's elderly population
Author(s) -
Davidhizar R.,
Dunn C. L.,
Hart A. N.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
international nursing review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1466-7657
pISSN - 0020-8132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1466-7657.2004.00224.x
Subject(s) - fluid intake , water intake , dehydration , resource (disambiguation) , population , balance (ability) , water consumption , consumption (sociology) , ingestion , environmental health , affect (linguistics) , medicine , environmental science , natural resource economics , intensive care medicine , water resource management , psychology , chemistry , physical therapy , computer science , sociology , economics , computer network , social science , biochemistry , communication , endocrinology
Aim: This article reviews the literature on how important water is to the world's elderly population. Background: Water is a finite resource, so we must preserve the water that we have. Physiological aspects and what water requirements our bodies maintain sum up this essential nutrient for life. Dehydration is a concern in the elderly. Conclusions: Five strategies related to water intake can promote health: (1) assess for symptoms which may indicate dehydration, (2) encourage ingestion of fluids and foods to maintain an optimal fluid level, (3) be alert to physical and clinical conditions affecting hydration in the elderly, (4) consider environmental factors which may affect body fluids, electrolytes and acid‐base balance, and (5) encourage methods to increase fluid consumption.