The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science in the United States recommended a daily total fluid intake (water provided from beverages and foods) of 3.7 L (125 ounces) for elderly men and 2.7 L (91 ounces) for elderly women. (2) In patients with chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, fluid intake needs to be addressed on a case-by-case basis under the direction of a physician.