Without nutritional support and hydration, such individuals will become increasingly weakened. As their immune system function is reduced, they may die from infections before death can occur from malnutrition or dehydration. Malnutrition is caused by inadequate intake of calories, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, or any combination. The effects of malnutrition depend on its severity, duration, and which specific nutrients are lacking.
Dehydration is the loss of body water in excess of intake.
It is caused by decreasing fluid intake or inability to conserve fluids as a result, for example, of renal disease or severe diarrhea. Elderly people become more susceptible to malnutrition when they become critically ill or experience physical, psychological, or social factors. The social factors affect their eating habits, i.e., poor dental status, decreased mobility, social isolation, confusion, poverty, or depression. Many are too weak or unable to feed themselves and require hand feeding. Hand feeding is time consuming.