A review of the literature on dehydration in the institutionalized elderly

SummaryBackground & aimsDehydration is the most common fluid and electrolyte problem among the elderly. The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature on dehydration in the institutionalized elderly.MethodsTo find relevant literature for this narrative review, a computerized search of articles published until June 2009 was performed in three databases: PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library.ResultsDehydration is conceptualized and operationalized in many different ways in the literature. Yet, dehydration is reported to be widely prevalent and costly to individuals and to the health care system. It affects large numbers, contributes to or exacerbates other severe medical conditions, may cause acute confusion and disorientation, and severely impairs the elderly individual's quality of life. Various strategies to detect and address dehydration are reported in the literature and these are primarily based on practice, or small scale research projects.ConclusionsDetection and prevention of dehydration is critically important among the frail, institutionalized elderly. In the future, the efficacy, effectiveness and economics of these strategies need to be further evaluated through research.