Oral Hydration Solution Effects on Fluid Status of the Elderly

Subjects determined to be at risk for dehydration were evaluated for four days after adding an oral hydration solution to their daily intake. The sample was nursing home residents exhibiting at least one Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) dehydration/fluid maintenance trigger and serum osmolality > 280 < 300 mOsm/kg. Subjects were selected based on a two stage screening process. Changes in weight, fluid input and output records and biochemical values were selected as measures of treatment effectiveness. “Failure to eat or take medication,” and “leaves > 25% of food uneaten at most meals” were the two most frequently appearing OBRA dehydration/fluid maintenance triggers. Over the study period, mean values for serum levels decreased, indicating expansion of extracellular fluid volume and reduced risk of dehydration.