Survey among elderly people related to their fluid intake.

Introduction: Appropriate hydration is a requirement for health. The aim of this study is to evaluate total fluid intake provided by different types of beverages and food in a sample of elderly people living in nursing homes. Method: Interviews with a questionnaire. The study was carried out between April and June, 2014. Results: A total of 140 interviews were completed. The people surveyed mostly consider themselves as active as their contemporaries (39%). More than half of seniors never do any sports. More than two-thirds of those surveyed have some kind of illness. Mean total water intake was 1,8 L for men and 1,7 L for women, far away from the “adequate Intake” set by the EFSA, 2.5 L (for adults men) and 2 L (for adult women), respectively. Water and other beverages contributed 75% of total fluid intake, with 25% provided by water in food. Older adults consumed less water and beverages than younger adults. Conclusions: Our study points out that water intake by the institutionalized elderly people remains well below the recommended daily amount of water intake. Interventions involving family members and HCP’s to promote fluid consumption seem to be necessary.