There’s no two ways around it; maintaining good hydration is essential for keeping our bodies performing at their best. The trouble is, that’s easier said than done when it comes to the elderly.
Age can have a profound effect on our body’s ability to maintain good levels of hydration. It isn’t just about mindset; there are real physiological changes at play that the elderly must contend with, including reduced thirst sensation that lowers the desire to drink, decreased kidney function leading to inefficiency in conserving water, and lower water reserves, reducing the ability to tolerate dehydration.
The real cost of dehydration in care homes
Those working in the health and social care field will be all too familiar with the very real risks of dehydration in the elderly, and the consequential impacts and increased pressures they, in turn, can have on care homes.
Associated health issues can include (but are not limited to):
- Increased risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke due to dehydration.
- Low blood pressure, which can in turn result in dizziness, fainting and an increased chance of falls.
- An increase in the likelihood of Urinary Tract Infections.
- Physical weakness leading to fatigue and muscle weakness.
- Confusion and memory problems, which can heighten certain conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
- Poor skin health and elasticity.
- Weakened immune function, resulting in a higher risk of infections.
Of course, those individuals coping with chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are even more vulnerable.
Factor in the reality that certain medications can increase fluid loss, impair kidney function and reduce thirst sensation, and it’s no wonder that care homes are facing increasing pressures on staff, money and resources to care for residents suffering from dehydration.
Keep your residents hydrated for just 25p a litre
Improving the health and overall well-being of residents doesn’t have to be costly, and it doesn’t have to be difficult either.
WaterADE is working to combat dehydration of the elderly by providing access to appealing, tasty and vitamin-fuelled drinks that actively help to improve overall wellbeing, without breaking the bank or putting extra financial constraints on care homes.
While many care homes traditionally provide fruit juice or cordials for residents as an alternative to water, these are often full of sugars, which can lead to weight gain and spikes in blood sugar, as well as potentially worsening diabetes for those already suffering with it.
What’s more, a standard combination of juices and cordial can cost care homes twice the price of WaterADE, which works out at just 0.08p per patient per day, including VAT.
Backed by science, fuelled by flavour
We all want choice and variety when it comes to what we eat and drink, and those in care homes are no different. That’s why WaterADE comes in 9 refreshing fruity flavours to appeal to residents and quench their thirst while boosting their intake of vitamins A, D, E and C.
Each WaterADE sachet makes up 2 litres of drink, and can be dispensed either in WaterADE jugs or our WaterADE Hydration Stations, which provide 12 litres of chilled, tasty drink and can be placed in communal spaces within care homes to enable residents to access them whenever they like, and not just at mealtimes.
Feedback from both residents, visitors and care home staff is overwhelmingly positive; in fact, in care homes where WaterADE Hydration Stations have been used instead of distribution by jugs, the level of hydration rates for residents has increased by a minimum of 50%.
The result? Lower likelihood of hospital admissions, reduced risk of associated health conditions and UTIs, and less pressure on staff and resources, at a fraction of the price of traditional juices and cordials.
If you’d like to learn more about WaterADE or would like to take advantage of a free trial in your care home, please do get in touch with us – we’d be very happy to help.